You Said, We Did

How your voice has made a difference

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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.

Select a topic

You said...
It would be helpful to have a specific forum for students who are studying multiple modules, as a place to have a shared identity, to be able to ask for support and to support others.

We did...
We set up a dedicated forum for students considering and studying multiple modules, hosted on the qualification website with a range of threads for general discussion and specific threads for different combinations of modules.
Read more Psychology
Posted on: 16-Apr-19

You said...
You wanted more help with planning and time management when you are studying more than one module.

We did...
We created study templates for students to personalise and adapt according to module combination and other commitments.
Read more Psychology
Posted on: 16-Apr-19

You said...
TMA deadlines for multiple modules often fall very close together which put extra pressure on preparation time and made it more likely for errors in submission to occur.

We did...
We are looking for new ways to resolve this, but in the short term we have produced a document on the qualifications website with all deadlines for current modules named on psychology qualification pathways to assist you with your planning.
Read more Psychology
Posted on: 16-Apr-19

You said...
Contact from Student Support in relation to studying multiple modules tended to be too negative about taking on the challenge.

We did...
We briefed the Student Support team on our new support materials and prepared guidance based on your feedback on this issue.
Psychology
Posted on: 16-Apr-19

You said...
August to October felt like wasted time for students new to studying and not knowing what to expect.

We did...
We produced subject specific induction materials: ‘Getting to know…. Psychology’ which sit alongside the OU induction materials to help students prepare for study.
Read more Psychology
Posted on: 16-Apr-19

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
Posted on: 16-Apr-19

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 Qualifications
Posted on: 16-Apr-19

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 Qualifications
Posted on: 16-Apr-19

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.
Library
Posted on: 16-Apr-19

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.
Library
Posted on: 16-Apr-19