You Said, We Did

How your voice has made a difference

Accessibility statement

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.

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.

Select a topic

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.
OU Students Association
Posted on: 17-Apr-19

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
Posted on: 16-Apr-19

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no longer be any 30 credit modules available on the programme when the current modules have been through teach-out and withdrawn.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 Learning
Posted on: 16-Apr-19

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 Learning
Posted on: 16-Apr-19

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 Learning
Posted on: 16-Apr-19

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 Learning
Posted on: 16-Apr-19

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 Learning
Posted on: 16-Apr-19

You said...
You thought that tutors should receive training in how to support students with mental health problems.

We did...
We have arranged for a training session to be held covering supporting students with mental health problems.
MA in Online and Distance Learning
Posted on: 16-Apr-19

You said...
You would like more interactive content such as videos in the modules to minimise the amount of reading.

We did...
We have already increased the amount of interactive/video content in our modules when producing H819. Our new module H880, which is currently in development and will be presented on FutureLearn, will include much more of this type of content.
MA in Online and Distance Learning
Posted on: 16-Apr-19

You said...
You would like online rooms tutorials to be recorded so that students can watch them in their own time. Follow-up tutorials could then be used for group discussion.

We did...
All online rooms tutorials will be recorded, if students participating consent to this. We are also exploring the option of follow-up tutorials for the new module H880, which is currently in production.
MA in Online and Distance Learning
Posted on: 16-Apr-19