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 said that you would like more printed materials as well as hard copy textbooks.
We did...
We strive to provide you with best learning experience. We reviewed your comments in light of Faculty policy regarding printed materials and we will also take this feedback under consideration in planning of the new LLM programme.
Law
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You said...
Perceptions of value for money are influenced by many factors, including the availability of and access to tutorials and support from your Associate Lecturers; the availability of printed materials, and workload on modules.
We did...
We are working with a number of modules to improve your chances of success while studying the module, the result you achieve at the end of the module, and when preparing for your next module. Our overall aim and intention being to improve your study experience.
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You said...
The student consultation forum highlighted the Undergraduate mathematics and statistics website as the most useful place to find information.
We did...
Using your feedback to make it even more useful. The new Mathematics and Statistics Support Team will be reviewing its communication framework and look to incorporate the suggestion that emails are sent at appropriate times of the year signposting students to the relevant parts of the UG M&S website. The School of Mathematics and Statistics and the SST will work together to provide this information, with the possibility of moving this to the replacement for the Qualifications online site if this provides a suitable platform.
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You said...
That changes in the curriculum as we renew our modules cause concerns.
We did...
We are working to ensure that clear and timely information is available on our qualification forum to assist students with their module choices. This year we have provided OU Live sessions to students considering registering for S209/SXF206/S206 to help inform students about these modules and will continue to expand on these types of event. We have written to students who are likely to be affected by module changes at Stage 3 in environmental science to give information about upcoming module renewal.
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You said...
You would like to see changes in the some of the modules.
We did...
Several of our modules, including our newest stage 2 modules, have made modifications in response to student and tutor feedback. Modifications at Stage 2 include making all topics available at module start, offering print-on-demand and including additional study time to prepare for TMAs. We have also added the option for S206 students to attend field schools.
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You said...
The quality of your experience with the OU hinges on the relationship with the module tutor. Your feedback on this is either extremely positive or extremely negative, in roughly equal measure.
We did...
We try to make sure that the right tutors are appointed. For a new module, this entails writing a detailed specification for the knowledge, skills and personal qualities we require. Each tutor is interviewed by a panel including the Staff Tutor who is expert in the module and who will manage the tutor. All tutors are monitored for their promptness, tone and quality of their feedback and the fairness of their marking.
Tutors identified as in danger of falling below our standards are offered advice and guidance in the first instance, followed by additional training if no improvement is noticed, and eventually disciplinary action if necessary.
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You said...
Most of you really enjoyed the residential school.
We did...
We continue to have two compulsory residential schools in our BEng (Hons) qualification and we see it as a great way for students and the central academics who have created the learning materials for the qualification to meet one another. It is also an opportunity for students to see learning advisers and careers guidance staff face-to-face. We also use the venue as an opportunity to get a representative over from one or more of the engineering institutions.
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You said...
Although you rate our Level 1 modules highly, you are often less enthusiastic about Level 2 and 3 modules, one reason for this is a lack of the kind of content you expected.
We did...
We are investing heavily in new modules that will address the subjects you have told us you want to be taught.
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You said...
You find confusing or contradictory assessment questions and instructions particularly irritating.
We did...
We will be reviewing our assessment to see what improvements we can make.
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You said...
Employability is important to you.
We did...
We will enhance the way we teach skills relevant to employment and the workplace. We will also be making sure we draw these skills to your attention so you can show your employers how your OU studies have better equipped you for work.
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