Assignment feedback campaign prompts University action
Education officer presents student views to vice-chancellor
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Students voted in a mock referendum on assignment feedback |
Sarah Delli-Colli, former Education officer, presented the findings of The Good, The Bad & The Feedback campaign on Monday 2nd February 2009.
The results showed that 36 per cent of students were not receiving assignment feedback in the 15 day deadline set by the University on ‘The Card’.
Only 11 per cent of students surveyed always received verbal feedback on their assignments.
Delli-Colli was happy with the reaction from the vice-chancellor, Malcolm McVicar, and senior management team at the meeting as they promised to tackle the issue.
She said: “Initial analysis has uncovered areas of good practice, but has also uncovered areas of dissatisfaction by students.
“Many students commented on how they never receive feedback within 15 working days as stated on ‘The Card’, and many said that when they did receive feedback, it was illegible, and non descriptive and didn’t tell them where to improve.
“There is a reverse to this with a lot of students saying they get excellent descriptive feedback which allows them to improve and see a progression in their marks.
“However, there should not be this inequality in our university; we should all be able to expect the same quality education.”
UCLan vice-chancellor, Malcolm McVicar, said after the meeting: "I welcome what the Student's Union is doing to address the feedback issue as this will really help the University to improve the service we give to students and it helps us in delivering 'The Card'."
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Students were asked whether they received feedback in 15 working days |
One student surveyed praised the feedback received from lecturers on assignments: “I'm very happy with the communication between myself and my module leaders. If I have a question, they always respond in a timely fashion. Assignment briefs are perhaps too brief, this is a shame, yet does prompt active dialogue between myself and my tutors.”
However, another student was upset with their assignment feedback: “Lecturer slated my work and was not constructive. They made me cry as he just said you need to do more work. What does that mean?”
The Education officer is now to meet with the Director of Student Affairs to discuss a way forward and also make a presentation to the University Heads Conference about assignment feedback and the survey findings.
The campaign was launched in October 2008 after the Student Written Submission found research from the National Student Survey 2008 showed students were unhappy with assignment feedback.
Related stories:
Week of action grows support for feedback campaign
Survey findings show 43 per cent of students disatisfied with feedback
15,000 word student voice report delivered
04 February 2009
