course rep training 2012-13. learning objectives define student experience understand the factors...
TRANSCRIPT
Course Rep Training 2012-13
Learning Objectives
• Define student experience• Understand the factors affecting the student experience• How to get evidence on about your course• Understand your role as a rep• How to be an effective course rep• Have an insight into the University Structures• Understand where reps sit on committees and how to
get elected• Recognise the importance of good communication• Know where to get help
Post It Exercise
• What single thing would have improved your experience in the first week of this academic year?
Knowing where we were supposed to be on the first day
!But only something that the University could control
The Student Experience?
• To understand your role better we think that you need to consider what constitutes: – a poor quality student experience– an excellent quality student experience
How would you define a poor student experience?
How would you define an excellent student experience?
Key factors that affect the Student Experience
The QUALITY of:• The teaching on the Course• The assessment and feedback• The academic support• The organisation and management• The learning resources• Personal development• The environment in which you live and work• The social and leisure opportunities
Small Group Exercise
• Looking at one of the factors affecting the student experience. Discuss and list what this means in reality?
How does the University know about the Quality of the Student Experience?
• National Student Survey (NSS)• Surveys in the University based on NSS• Focus Groups• Views from Students’ Union• Views from Course Reps!• Views from students generally
What is your role then?
• Taking this all into account what is your role then as a course rep?
One possible answer.....To look after your course and the University
making sure that it is delivering a high and even excellent quality student experience
How can you do that?
• Work with the Academics to make sure that Quality is maintained and improved
• Use evidence that is available– NSS, KIS, what are students saying?
• Gather evidence using research– Ask students questions, do your own survey, use social media, use post its
• Put forward solutions– Based on your research come up with solutions share these with students and
academics
• Argue for improvements– Go to meetings and argue for the solutions you have come up with
• Campaign for change– If the solutions you have put forward are being ignored or sidelined start a campaign
to get them implemented
Work with Academics to maintain and improve Quality
• Most Academics want their programmes to be excellent!
• Some however may not.– If this is the case you may want to ask yourself
why, what are the causes?• You will need to meet with them to discuss
how to improve things
Use the evidence that is available
Hard evidence exists in one useful place on the Internet called Unistats
This includes the data on individual courses including:
• Key Information Sets (KIS) and• National Student Survey (NSS)
http://unistats.direct.gov.uk/When you search for Newport click on the
W(for Wales) to find University of Wales, Newport
Gather evidence using research
• Where you have identified an area that needs change or improvement
• Do your own research with students, use surveys , callouts, PostIts etc.
• Use that research to develop ideas with students
Case Study Evidence
• You are a course rep on the a BSc/BA (Hons) **** Course
• You have been given the NSS results for last two years
• Look at the NSS Results• What questions might you want to ask of
students/academics?• Present your findings to the group and suggest
solutions?
So how is the University of Wales, Newport doing?
• This is going to be a shocker!• What was the overall student satisfaction i.e
In 2011 76%In 2012 74%
Not all programmes are the same.
• The programme with highest satisfaction rating was Business and Marketing with
100% (no result in 2011)
• The programme with the lowest satisfaction rating was Advertising Design with
25% (92% in 2011)
Key Issue
These results are important because they come from students it is not what the University itself thinks!!
• If your programme has poor satisfaction work with academics to improve the quality
• If a programme has excellent satisfaction work with academics to keep it there
• It can be done!!!
You can change things by working with the academics!
This is what happened last year in:
• Photography for Fashion and Advertising!– 2011 4% – 2012 73%
• Graphic Design– 2011 50%– 2012 87%
How well did the Students’ Union Do?
• 2012 56%
overall satisfaction
Back to your role?
• Using what you have learnt so far and the Guide on Supporting Students
Complete the exercise on whose role is it anyway?
Problem Trees
Attitude of
tutor to
students
Students get angry and frustrated
Some academics do not answer emails from
students
They get
too many
emails
Academics are demoralised
Academics have too much to do
Academics are not able to manage their time properly
Students think they are being ignored Students do nothave answers to their
questions
Students
become
demoralised
Poor NSS results
They don’t
think it is
importantPoor communications
generallyBetween staff and students mean many more emails
Solution Trees
Student emails are answered within
48 hours
Students feel
Like they matter Students feel supported
Course reps meet
Regularly with academics and
remind them how important
it is to answer emails
Regular student survey
on email responses Management commit to 48 hour email turnaround and monitor it
Work is done to raise staff morale
Wider research done toDetermine causesDisciplinary action?
NSS Results improve
considerably
Fewre queries take
place after lectures
Employ more staff?
Students get answers
Promptly so become
better motivated
Weekly surgeriesWhere staff can answer questions face to face?
Vision
Solutions
Effects
Example of a Problem Tree
• Look at a real problem you have• Create a problem tree• Create a solution tree
University StructuresDeputy Vice Chancellor (Academic)
Executive DeanArts & Business Faculty
Prof Paul Coyle
Executive DeanEducation & Social Sciences Faculty
Carl Peters
Head of Newport Business School
Sian Rees
Head of School of Film, Photography
& Digital Media and Research &
Knowledge Exchange
Barry Atkins
Head of School of Design,
Communication & Engineering
Jenny Hann
Head of School of Education
Karen Morris
Head of School of Sport, Health & Applied Social
Sciences Nicky Lewis
Head of School of Humanities & Life Ling
LearningJennie Sparks
Head of Faculty Administration Sheena Haddock
Head of Faculty AdministrationNuala Meadows
Head of Research (CCLL)
Grade 9
Head of Community
Programmes (CCLL)
Grade 9
Academic Subject Leader
Undergraduate Programmes
Ed Jones
Academic Subject Leader
Postgraduate Programmes
Lyndon Murphy
Academic Subject LeaderPhotography
Paul Cabuts
Academic Subject Leader
Performance,Sound &
Music/Film , Games &
AnimationAndy Smith
Academic Subject Leader
Computing & Engineering
Eric Llewellyn
Academic Subject Leader
Fashion & Design Mark Jackson
Academic Subject Leader
Secondary ITT Kerie Green
Academic Subject Leader
Primary ITT Elizabeth Barry
Academic Subject Leader
Inter-professional Practice
Michelle Culwick
Project Manager QWESTGrade 9
Academic Subject Leader PcET
(including Franchise) Richard Lander
Clarke
Director of Sport, Health & Wellbeing
Alun Davies
Sports Centre•Access & Foundation
Other Posts Reporting to DVC
(Academic)
Academic Subject Leader
Professional Programmes
Jared Davies
Academic Subject Leader
HumanitiesDavid Norcliffe
Academic Subject Leader Psychology
& Creative Therapies Phil Tyson
Academic Subject Leader Education & Linked Awards Jane Williams
Academic Subject Leader
Postgraduate Programmes
Shirley Egley
PA Grade 4 PA Grade 4
R&KE AdministratorGrade 4
Meetings/Committees
Rep Elections to Boards• Academic Board
– 1 rep from each Faculty (2)• Faculty Board Education and Social Sciences
– 1 rep from each school in faculty (2)• Faculty Board Arts & Business
– 1 rep from each school in faculty (2)• Faculty User Group (Arts & Business Faculty)
– 1 full time rep one part time rep (2)• Validation Board
– 1 rep from each faculty (2)• Student Experience Committee
– 1 rep from each faculty (2)
This is an Important Year!!
• Merger talks are under way • Likely that University of Wales, Newport will
merge in the next year with Glamorgan• Raises huge questions about maintaining
quality for existing and future students• Course Reps the first line of defence!
Communicating with your students
How?Make sure all of you students know that you are
their rep!NoticeboardFace to face end of lecturesEmailFacebookOne off eventsOther ideas
What to do next!
• Find out dates of programme meetings (if your programme has them)
• Find out who to contact about your Board of Study
• Carry out your first piece of research. Ask your students ......the same question we asked when you arrived
Post It Exercise
• What single thing would have improved your experience in the first week of this academic year?
Knowing where we were supposed to be on the first day
!But only something that the University could control
We need the answers back by 25th Oct 2012
Help and Support
The SU is there to support you.• Verity Worthington– Education and welfare Officer– [email protected]
• Peter Townend– Course Rep co-ordinator– [email protected]
www.newportunion.com/education-welfare/course-reps
