“programme leaders conference” the future of student representation… (and what you think of...
TRANSCRIPT
“Programme Leaders Conference”
The Future of Student Representation…
(and what you think of it)
Lisa Burton, Graham Atkinson, Steven Meyer
Programme & Subject Leaders Conference
Session Objectives?
•Identify current methods of gathering ‘the student voice’
•Discuss current practice and what the Students’ Union could do to be more effective at representing students
•Discuss what the University could do to be more effective at gathering and reacting to student feedback
Programme & Subject Leaders Conference
Programme Surveys
Module Surveys
National Student Survey
Course Reps
School Reps
PGR Reps
PGT Reps (hopefully)
QAA – Student Written Submission
Sabbatical Officers
(GOALs and committees)
the student voice www.mynsu.co.uk
Programme & Subject Leaders Conference
In Groups:•Do you think that the current methods of gathering student feedback are
effective? Why?•Do you think that current methods of responding to feedback are effective?
Why?•What could the Students’ Union do to more effectively support student
representatives?•What could the Students’ Union do to engage more with the University on
issues of representation and ‘student voice’?
Programme & Subject Leaders Conference
What are we doing to improve?
•Introducing Course Reps onto MyNorthumbria in 2009/2010
•Launching an online training module for Course Reps
•Conducting qualitative research into the Course Rep experience
•Introducing a mechanism to benchmark the impact of Course Reps
•Introducing regularly updated School Rep reports on www.mynsu.co.uk
•To introduce a system that enables the Students’ Union to track issues from the point they are raised through to their resolution
Programme & Subject Leaders Conference
What did you / your colleagues say in the PL Survey 2008?
Positive Trends:1.Programmes are overwhelmingly successful at recruiting Course Reps2.Programme and subject leaders are confident in their understanding of the Course Rep role3.Course Reps are involved in a wide variety of activities4.Programme and subject leaders pursue a variety of strategies to promote the role5.There is confidence in the current Course Rep system across the University: only two participants disagreed that it plays an overall positive role in quality assurance.
Some Ambivalence:1.There is little consensus on how the accountability of Course Reps to their peers as their representatives can be monitored and structured in practice2.Students are not perceived as having a strong understanding of the Course Rep role at the point of recruitment3.Managing Course Rep performance is a challenge, though Course Reps are perceived as having relatively developed meeting skills such as diplomacy and assertiveness
Programme & Subject Leaders Conference
Programme & Subject Leaders Conference
Quiz Time
5 things that you can do:1. A timely, annual democratic election process will ensure that all students have equal
opportunity to represent their peers. This also encourages interest in the role and leads to a Rep who is recognised by, and more likely to be engaged with their peers
2. Trained Reps are more effective, so you should insist that they attend one of the designated training sessions, hosted by the Students’ Union.
3. Meet the Rep before they attend their first meeting to help familiarise them with the school’s structure and meetings that they will be invited to attend. A Rep who feels welcome, and whose input is valued will be more likely to contribute to the meeting.
4. Arrange an informal meeting once a term with your Reps to get to know them.
5. When a Rep raises an issue always acknowledge it and provide feedback
Programme & Subject Leaders Conference
Session Objectives?
•Identify current methods of gathering ‘the student voice’
•Discuss current practice and what the Students’ Union could do to be more effective at representing students
•Discuss what the University could do to be more effective at gathering and reacting to student feedback
Programme & Subject Leaders Conference
Thank You…Any Questions?
Programme & Subject Leaders Conference