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...
Some students have found the Fast Track MBA workload un-manageable and support inadequate.
We did...
We now telephone all students who register on the Fast Track MBA so that they are clear on the demands and expectations. We have also provided additional opportunities for face-to -face events. A short review of the programme has been undertaken and findings are informing support from Student Experience Managers.
Business Postgraduate
Posted on:
You said...
In feedback, students report inconsistency and variability of tutor support.
We did...
We are always looking to improve our engagement with Associate Lecturers which helps support best practice. The Faculty AL Development Group is looking to increase its impact. Currently we are refreshing our approach to tutorial monitoring. Tutor CDSAs are getting stronger emphasis alongside support to line managers to promptly address any performance concerns. However, if students have concerns about the support being provided, which they are unable to resolve directly with their tutor, we advise them to contact their student support team for advice and guidance or escalation as appropriate.
Posted on:
You said...
…you told us what study skills you needed as you moved between levels.
We did...
We devised a coherent skill development strategy to run through the core modules of R26 so that students were prepared for each level of study. We also developed ‘transition workshops’
Posted on:
You said...
...in the NSS that student sense of community could be improved. In student consultations you also said that you wanted more tutorials, more opportunities to interact with other students and would like them to be recorded.
We did...
We made recording tutorials the default option across the school. Several module teams have reorganised tutorials and tried to increase opportunities to interact for students using methods including student buddies and module-wide forums.
Posted on:
You said...
...in a student consultation, you told us what information you would like about each subject area.
We did...
We used this information to develop subject websites. Next we will go back to you to ask you what you think of the subject websites that have been created.
Posted on:
You said...
Better preparation for study would be helpful, but only where this did not increase the time to gain a Qualifying Law Degree.
We did...
A comprehensive induction package, aimed at students new to law, is now available to help you prepare for studying law. This induction is designed to be used before module start-dates, but can be referred back to at any point during your studies.
Posted on:
You said...
More advice and guidance on careers in law would be helpful.
We did...
The Careers and Employability Service have run a series of four webinars around careers in law, together with a ‘Making the most of your Law Degree” Careers forum in July 2018.
Posted on:
You said...
You work hard for the continuous assessment components of the module and would like more to count towards your final grade.
We did...
We are changing the assessment strategy on a number of our modules to include a greater contribution from the continuous assessment tasks in the module. This will be evaluated and rolled out across other modules as appropriate.
Posted on:
You said...
You would like more opportunities to develop laboratory skills.
We did...
We have developed two further laboratory schools in biology (SS032) and chemistry (SS031) following on from the Level 1 laboratory school (SS011) and those in biology and chemistry at Level 2 (SS022 and SS021 respectively). Please see the Science study site for details. We are also expanding the opportunities for remote operation of analytical equipment in our modules.
Posted on:
You said...
While in general you value the tutorial provision provided on modules you would like to see a greater variety in style.
We did...
We are piloting different types of tutorials on a number of modules, including workshops as well as enrichment activities such as the online journal club.
Posted on:
United Kingdom and online
At home / online
