MAC132

The Retention and Progression project gathered comments from 52 students across the University and analysed over 1500 free text comments from the National Student Survey to identify what keeps students engaged and enriches their experience at the University of Wolverhampton. We found that most of the comments centred on the themes: Sense of belonging, responsive lecturers, interactive pedagogies, social learning environment, cultural diversity, and technology in learning.

What works for students?

www.wlv.ac.uk/whatworks

Sense of belongingI met lots of different

people really quickly and I think the Best Mates

scheme is a good thing. They encourage you to go

out and make friends.Second year student

University is not just about a degree;

it’s about the skills, the friends and the

relationships you make.Second year student

Everyone is there to help you out. Those are the kind of things

that will keep you here.

Second year student

Being a mature student, I came to

University knowing not one person here. I have left knowing everyone

on my course.Third year student

Making friends definitely helps just in

keeping your spirits up and

gives you a big motive to getting

your studies done.Third year student

I was previously shy, but am now

more confident and outgoing.

First year student

Being a School Representative and having

involvement with the Students’ Union makes me feel I belong to

the community.Third year student

MAC132

The Retention and Progression project gathered comments from 52 students across the University and analysed over 1500 free text comments from the National Student Survey to identify what keeps students engaged and enriches their experience at the University of Wolverhampton. We found that most of the comments centred on the themes: Sense of belonging, responsive lecturers, interactive pedagogies, social learning environment, cultural diversity, and technology in learning.

What works for students?

www.wlv.ac.uk/whatworks

Interactive pedagogies

There are inspiring lecturers who are

engaging and interact with the students.

Second year student

Lecturers are approachable and easy to talk with. They show enthusiasm. I like the presentation style -

how they lecture and the diversity of activities and exercises we have.

First year student

Lecturers are very knowledgeable and have

lots of personal experience to draw on.

Second year student

The style of teaching is a good mix of traditional style lectures combined

with film clips and group discussion. A

very student-orientated delivery.

Graduate student

The lecturers are very good at what they

do: inspirational and passionate, using

interactive teaching methods such as group

work and online seminars.Graduate student

I love lectures where there is interaction and debate. If you

argue a point rather than write it you

learn more.Third year student

MAC132

The Retention and Progression project gathered comments from 52 students across the University and analysed over 1500 free text comments from the National Student Survey to identify what keeps students engaged and enriches their experience at the University of Wolverhampton. We found that most of the comments centred on the themes: Sense of belonging, responsive lecturers, interactive pedagogies, social learning environment, cultural diversity, and technology in learning.

What works for students?

www.wlv.ac.uk/whatworks

I have met a lot of different people with a lot of different ideas. I don’t always agree with them,

but you have to hear them to know what their

opinion is.Third year student

Cultural diversity

The University reflects society as it is today.It

just makes a whole better experience, meeting people from different cultures and

different countries. Third year student

One of best thing about Wolverhampton is that it’s so culturally

diverse - a big mix of students from different cultures.

Third year student

You can sit there and get to know people who have so many different ideas in the

way they were brought up, in the way their

education was done.Second year student

There is no way of really describing the interaction with the mix of students. It’s like getting to know something that you are not used to and it gives

you a different experience.Second year student

MAC132

The Retention and Progression project gathered comments from 52 students across the University and analysed over 1500 free text comments from the National Student Survey to identify what keeps students engaged and enriches their experience at the University of Wolverhampton. We found that most of the comments centred on the themes: Sense of belonging, responsive lecturers, interactive pedagogies, social learning environment, cultural diversity, and technology in learning.

What works for students?

www.wlv.ac.uk/whatworks

Responsive lecturers

The lecturers are always here to support

you. You just email them and they give

you feedback.Third year student

If you want extra guidance or feedback you can just pop over

and see them.Third year student

I like the way of teaching, the lecturers

ask if you have any doubts. They clarify

any doubts – they show patience.

Third year student

The lecturers I had made a really big

difference in making things a lot easier.

Second year student

They understand when you genuinely have a problem and they are the ones that would

keep you at University. Third year student

They listen and respond to student

feedback, they change the way they do things.

Third year student

MAC132

The Retention and Progression project gathered comments from 52 students across the University and analysed over 1500 free text comments from the National Student Survey to identify what keeps students engaged and enriches their experience at the University of Wolverhampton. We found that most of the comments centred on the themes: Sense of belonging, responsive lecturers, interactive pedagogies, social learning environment, cultural diversity, and technology in learning.

What works for students?

www.wlv.ac.uk/whatworks

Social learning environment

I like having a cybercafé, where you

can take food near a computer and do

group work.Second year student

The extensive choice in the library.

First year student

University facilities – modern and up-to-date

IT facilities.First year student

I love the enjoyable and comfortable

learning environment.First year student

Wolverhampton is a ‘social’ university that

has a good feeling around the campus, relaxed atmosphere,

with a strong community aspect to

studying.Third year student

MAC132

The Retention and Progression project gathered comments from 52 students across the University and analysed over 1500 free text comments from the National Student Survey to identify what keeps students engaged and enriches their experience at the University of Wolverhampton. We found that most of the comments centred on the themes: Sense of belonging, responsive lecturers, interactive pedagogies, social learning environment, cultural diversity, and technology in learning.

What works for students?

www.wlv.ac.uk/whatworks

Some unanswered questions

How do we grow the commitment of our least engaged

students?

What preparation can be given to students during the transitional

period between getting their university place and attending the university?

Will Graduate Attributes secure

a clearer return on students’ financial

investment?

What else could be done to add

value to the student experience?

www.wlv.ac.uk/whatworks

MAC132

The Retention and Progression project gathered comments from 52 students across the University and analysed over 1500 free text comments from the National Student Survey to identify what keeps students engaged and enriches their experience at the University of Wolverhampton. We found that most of the comments centred on the themes: Sense of belonging, responsive lecturers, interactive pedagogies, social learning environment, cultural diversity, and technology in learning.

What works for students?

www.wlv.ac.uk/whatworks

Technology in learning

WOLF and e:Vision are helpful in keeping you up-to-date with content and grades.

Second year student

The facilities are really brilliant and everything is really just one click away.

Third year student

I use WOLF every day. If I’m in work, I can access it on

my phone.First year student

Constant updates of lecture notes in WOLF – superb.

First year student

We cannot live without WOLF. You need it day-by-day to access your

e-mails, and see what’s updated.

Third year student

Some of my lecturers would record lectures and put them online.

Graduate student