Student Viewpoint – improving the response rate for online SFQs workshop

1. Student Viewpoint – improving the response rate for online SFQs workshop Karen Robins, Director of Learning and Teaching Maria Banks, AHoD Marketing and Enterprise Jon Easter, Director of UG Programmes and Student Experience Hajni Handler, Researcher, Visiting Lecturer 06 May 2010

2. Objectives of workshop • Present initial findings of Student Viewpoint project • Initiate a discussion on • how to utilise these findings in the most effective way in order to maximize response rates for online SFQs, • the key elements of best practice of online SFQ at UHBS that would serve the interest of students and staff and comply with UHBS policy, • strategies for implementation

3. Student Viewpoint http://www.studentviewpoint.com/ https://svp.herts.ac.uk • Software package designed for HEIs to evaluate the quality of learning and teaching, many HEIs now use online questionnaires • Software was developed in conjunction with Imperial College London and is currently used at both Imperial College London and Lincoln University. • Integrates with existing student record systems

4. Background • Student Viewpoint (SVP) was first piloted in 2008/09 Semester B in the Business School • 2009/10 Semester B is the 3rd and final pilot stage • SVP will become the permanent student feedback questionnaire form both in the Business School and the University from 2010/2011 Semester A • All pilot rounds showed a low response rate (average 12%) • Localised promotion of SVP was carried out (by relying on students to read emails and lecturers to promote in classroom)

5. Future aspiration • The University Strategic Plan 2010-1015 has a key aspiration to deliver an exemplary student experience:- by respecting and responding to the student voice- by providing excellent service through ongoing and monitoring of our performance • Our aim is a 20% response rate in every module

6. Discussion forum 1 • What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of online SFQs to paper-based SFQs?

7. Issues Research was conducted in Semester A Staff Focus Group Student Focus Group Lack of awareness: treat each level individually, start promotion early Timing: release SVP on time to achieve greater response rate Incentives: vouchers and feedback, have Student Voice Publication of feedbacks: they are greater incentives than vouchers Relevance of questions: module specifications and open ended • Benefits for staff: need negative response for improvement • Priority on: enhancement and qualitative feedback • Timing: release SVP on time to achieve greater response rate • Incentives: reminders and on-time-feedback, ongoing reflection • Publication of feedbacks: sensitive issue - needs careful handling • Relevance of questions: module specifications and open ended

8. Discussion forum 2 • What would you do…

9. Recommendationscreating a ‘tool kit’ for online SFQs at UHBS • Open SVP from Day 1 in the Semester for qualitative feedback • Start promotion of SVP in Week1 both to Staff and Students • Continuous promotion throughout the semester of SVP • Encourage Staff to be involved • Hire student representatives to promote SVP more effectively and respond to Student Voice • Align HR and Information Department

10. Recommendations Staff/Management Students Student Voice Hire Student Representatives: to promote SVP through computer platforms in SSG Email campaign: early email as an invitation to complete SFQ, follow ups, closing ‘thank you’ email Communicate positive actions as an outcome of student feedback • Encourage staff involvement at all levels • Participation management: real-time monitoring, targeted reminders • Communicate positive actions as an outcome of student feedback • Promote online SFQs to colleagues and to students and abandon paper format as an alternative • Align HR and Infromation Dep. for timely up to date release of SVP • https://svp.herts.ac.uk

11. Q & A Thank you for your attention!