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...
You would like a website giving details of the availability of OU online services that students could check in the event of being unable to access them.
We did...
The OU system status website is now available for all students to access which gives you live updates on our key services as well as details of any planned maintenance.
IT
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You said...
You would like to be able to include the subjects you have studied in the award title of your BA/BSc (Hons) Open degree.
We did...
The OU has identified this suggestion as a proposal in its future Curriculum Plan and considerations around how to implement this have already commenced. Unfortunately, due to system constraints, we may not be able to offer this to students for some time but plan to undertake a consultation with undergraduate Open degree students to understand the benefits of this approach in greater detail.
Open QualificationsPosted on:
You said...
You were disappointed that the dedicated Open Programme ‘Faculty Association Representative’ (FAR) role had been removed from the Open University Students Association Central Executive Committee and were concerned that this might diminish the Open Programme students’ voice.
We did...
We approached the Open University Students Association and understand that the decision was taken because the other four Faculty Association Representatives (one aligned to each Faculty) should take equal responsibility for students studying towards “Open” qualifications. We attended the Open University Students Association Central Executive Committee meeting in November 2018 are now discussing ways to brief the FARs about the Open Programme on a regular basis with the President of the Students Association.
Open QualificationsPosted on:
You said...
You can't always find your way around the library website.
We did...
We worked with our student panel to make improvements to the website look and feel.
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You said...
Library Student Panel members did not always notice the email updates
We did...
We are using a much more visual, interactive communication tool.
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You said...
You want to feel part of a community.
We did...
We introduced more real-time informal learning and discussion events such as live chats through social media platforms.
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You said...
"The one thing I found frustrating was the lack of participation by other students in my tutor group on the tutor group forum..."
We did...
We are embedding the use of tutor group forums in the Access modules and providing encouragement and training to tutors in their use.
AccessPosted on:
You said...
With school age small children it was very hard to keep pace with the workload during the half term holidays and the Easter break.
We did...
Access modules now have three options weeks embedded, which allow students the flexibility to explore additional subjects or to catch up if they have fallen behind.
AccessPosted on:
You said...
I feel that the Access course would benefit from some online live tutorials to help students to make study links with each other and to have an awareness of others thoughts on the tasks.
We did...
We have now built online group tutorials into the teaching model, particularly towards the end of the module as students prepare for study at Level 1. Y032 is piloting Adobe Connect TMA support sessions with the whole cohort.
AccessPosted on:
You said...
You said you wanted to feel part of an academic community.
We did...
We agree that as a distance learning student it’s very important to feel a part of an academic community. We provide students with a range of opportunities to get involved and connected, such as tutor group forums in modules, Student Hub live and Facebook Live sessions, and the Student Café on our Business Study Home site. Additionally, we’re working with our student representatives in developing the OU Business Associate Society (OUBAS) to help students learn from one another and to have more opportunities to get involved in a number of activities. This is a great time to get involved with the OU’s 50th anniversary.
Business Undergraduate
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United Kingdom and online
At home / online
