You Said, We Did
How your voice has made a difference
This page provides an opportunity to see the valuable feedback received from students across a wide range of communication channels, and to see what the OU has done in response.
Please note this video is now a couple of years old so some people no longer have the same title. The current Students Association leadership can be seen on their website.
Choose a topic from the drop-down list below to see how students can have an impact on their university experience and be empowered to help shape the University. Next time you are asked to give your opinion, you know that the OU is taking this feedback seriously and will respond.
You said...
We should be holding the University to account and making sure it maintains the highest academic standards.
We did...
The Students Association continues to hold The University to account and keep The Open University mission at its core. We have membership of many University committees /working groups that are designed to influence policy. This right is enshrined in the Student Charter and Relationship Agreement and applies to any committee whose terms of reference affect the student experience.
OU Students Association
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You said...
There should be a clear agenda of what the Students Association wants to achieve, a strategy for achieving it, and a channel of communication that makes these things clear to students.
We did...
Our strategy continues to shape and influence the direction of travel for the Students Association and regular updates and outcomes are brought to each of the Central Executive Committee meetings for further information and input, of which all papers are available to our members via our website.
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You said...
Communication strategies that recognise that not all students are ‘natural engagers’ and may value a range of channels. This could include a tutorial-type activity.
We did...
It is recognised that due to the vast number of OU students, there is no one method of communicating with students. When information is sent out all channels (email, social media, and signposting to / from website, post and mail) are utilised. We are committed to ensuring that students who do not use social media are able to access equivalent information through our website and via email. We also offer a mailing list for student who prefer to receive a digest of news via a monthly email.
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You said...
There is confusion about how the Students Association and academic representation works with excessive jargon and initialisms, which doesn’t encourage engagement
We did...
We are aware of the confusing terminology, and this is outlined in our strategy as to remove the jargon from our roles and role descriptions. We understand that due to the complex nature of a lot of the Academic Representation related work the overall message about what we are doing and achieving can be lost. We are looking to produce clearer resources and content in the future, which includes the launch this year of the student voice bulletin, we have produced a video based on the work of the Senate Reference Group and we utilising a Student Voice Twitter account to release bite sized and digestible bits of information that relate to our work.
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You said...
You would like more opportunities to have a say in issues that matter to you in your studies.
We did...
We very much welcome your feedback and comments. There are a number of ways that you can let your voice be heard: in module and the NSS survey, via student consultative forums, via the student representatives on the Board of Studies, as well as working with staff on Student Partnership projects. These are all highlighted on the Science study site which you can find under the ‘Study’ tab on your StudentHome page.
Life, Health and Chemical Sciences
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You said...
You felt that the workload on the 30 credit modules was too heavy and not reflective of a 30-credit module.
We did...
There will no longer be any 30 credit modules available on the programme when the current modules have been through teach-out and withdrawn. Our new module, H880 will be 60 credits.
MA in Online and Distance LearningPosted on:
You said...
You would like multiple presentations of modules to allow maximum flexibility to study at a time and pace that suits you.
We did...
Unfortunately, it is not financially viable to offer multiple start dates for every module. It could make for a poorer student experience if there are low student numbers on a cohort as a result of numbers being spread across multiple presentations. Tutor expertise could also be diluted when spread across multiple presentations.
MA in Online and Distance LearningPosted on:
You said...
You would like a break mid-module to allow some breathing space or for catching up, if required. 1-2 weeks was suggested as the optimum time for this.
We did...
We have recently introduced short breaks mid-module to allow for reflection and catch up on H818 and H819 and will continue this practice for H880.
MA in Online and Distance LearningPosted on:
You said...
You would like modules to be available in even smaller chunks such as 15 or 20 credit modules, to allow for more personalised learning.
We did...
The module team is investigating the possibility of our new, FutureLearn-based module H880 being offered as four 15- credit chunks.
MA in Online and Distance LearningPosted on:
You said...
You would like more proactive contact from your tutor or the SST to check on your progress at certain key touch points in the modules.
We did...
We are developing new strategies to ensure consistent, regular contact from tutors across all our modules.
MA in Online and Distance LearningPosted on:
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