You Said, We Did
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 wanted a student-led forum for general mathematical discussions.
We did...
We set this up on the Study Site, with support of the Board of Studies student representatives.
Mathematics and Statistics
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You said...
The assessment on some of the 24-hour remote exams that replaced invigilated exams were unfair because some students could afford to spend at most 3 hours on preparing the answers while others might have spent the whole day on perfecting their answers.
We did...
We agree that the communication on the determination of exam grades was incomplete and potentially disadvantaging some students on a small number of modules. We helped the University design a new appeals process for remote exams, offered all students on affected modules to re-sit their exam in June 2021, and provided a fast-track alternative assessment for those with an urgent need to review their grades.
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You said...
The learning curve for Python use in SXPS288 is very steep, particularly for those who have not studied SM123 beforehand.
We did...
We have prepared the self-contained resource Python for Physical Sciences which provides an introduction to the basics of Python that is accessible to physical sciences students with no prior knowledge of programming. The resource is open to OU students at all times, with tailored forum support by tutors at certain periods of the year.
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You said...
It would be advantageous if the pdf version of the online module material of Physics: from classical to quantum (S217) could be made available in the form of printed books.
We did...
Printed books are now supplied at the start of each presentation.
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You said...
It would be good if we could switch more easily between study routes on some qualifications.
We did...
We have added a new Broad Engineering route to the BEng and MEng, which contains few restrictions on module choice within the engineering subject area. We have also reformed our Design and Innovation degree to have two routes (broadly arts and technical) rather than four more narrowly defined ones .
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You said...
We would like to have the Women in Engineering Conference in a more central location.
We did...
We hosted the conference in 2019 at Aston University Conference Centre, rather than Walton Hall and will do so again in 2020. We have also opened the conference up for attendance by male as well as female participation in engineering.
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You said...
More opportunities for work experience/placements/internships would be very welcome.
We did...
We have added a link onto the engineering Subject Advisory Site to an exchange run by our Careers and Employability Service, featuring a searchable list of over 600 employees offering work experience, placements and jobs.
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You said...
Students with caring responsibilities find it difficult to attend field days or residential schools
We did...
We are exploring, with several partners organisations, how accreditation schemes might evolve to avoid disadvantaging some students. Depending on the outcomes of these discussions, policies may be developed for those students unable to attend.
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You said...
More information on what is involved in field schools was needed to clarify expectations, which will allow students to prepare and plan ahead.
We did...
We will review the quality of information on our field schools and how it is delivered, from registration opening onwards with a view to improve our communications and the information we provide.
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You said...
Students observed and experienced patronising, overbearing or unfair behaviour on online forums that in some cases betrayed gender bias
We did...
We will investigate what training for moderators we can offer that will ensure more effective recognition of such issues and policing of forums. Our online forums should foster a welcoming, collegiate environment for all students.
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