November 27, 2011
A closer look at student feedback
By Chi Nguyen
This paper was extracted from a course leader report covering 3 computer networks engineering courses, which required evaluation of the National Student Survey (NSS), course feedback survey and unit feedback surveys (Nguyen, 2011).
All surveys were voluntary. The course and unit surveys often took place during timetabled events, which
caused the surveys to be susceptible to student absences.
1. Context for evaluating feedback surveys
In the book,
Practical Statistics for Educators, Ruth David reminds us that experimental and descriptive research require different methods of analysis. In
experimental research projects, "researchers plan an intervention and study its effect on groups or individuals". By comparison, nonexperimental "
descriptive research is aimed at studying a phenomenon as it is occurring naturally, without any manipulation or intervention. Researchers are attempting to describe and study phenomena and are not investigating cause-and-effect relationships" (2011).
>> Read more Degree classification methods
The following information is taken from page 14 of the
Boards of Examiners Policy, Regulation and Procedure document published by Academic Registry in May 2009.
The student shall receive the most favourable of the three outcomes.
- Firstly, the weighted mean of the average at Level 2 and Level 3 in the ratio 40:60
- Secondly, the average of Level 3
- Thirdly, "preponderance" i.e. the minimum classification (i.e. the "band" or better) in which 120 or more of the relevant credits fall, providing that at least 60 are at Level 3
BOEs shall apply the following two rules to direct entrants to Level 3 and the student shall receive the most favourable of the two outcomes:
- Firstly, the average of level 3 units
- Secondly, the minimum classification (i.e. the "band" or better) in which 60 of their Level 3 credits fall
The classification bands are:
- 70-100 First Class
- 60-69 Upper Second Class
- 50-59 Lower Second Class
- 40-49 Third Class
Volunteer as a course representative
Course representatives participate in 2 meetings that take place once each semester:
- Student Staff Consultative Committee
- Board of Studies
Contact details for student representatives in the School of Engineering
https://intranet.eng.port.ac.uk/ic/CourseReps/2011-12
Student Union website about course representative roles
http://www.upsu.net/support/coursereps/what-a-courserep-doesClass meeting with year 3 students
There were approximately
45 students present at the class meeting this morning (
Sep 22).
The staff portal shows the following number of year 3 students, which works out to
49% attendance:
- 79 – Computer Network Management and Design
- 10 – Internet Technology
- 3 – Internet Engineering
All the students present were returning students, so, they were already familiar with the course information. Next year, the year 3 students could have a meeting specifically about their
individual final project. The students could be reminded about the course information available online.
A student also suggested that it may be better to have the meet and greet lunch earlier in the week. That way, the students would have had an opportunity to meet each other before attending the rest of the induction activities.
Class meeting with year 2 students
At the class meeting this afternoon (
Sep 20), there were approximately
26 students present by the time the session ended at 4pm.
The staff portal shows the following number of year 2 students, which works out to
53% attendance:
- 43 – Computer Network Management and Design
- 3 – Internet Technology
- 3 – Internet Engineering
The students only had questions about course options and the process for industrial placements. For course options, 4 students had to go with with default course options because their elective choices had timetable conflicts with their required units. This raised 2 questions. One, if the university insists on providing a common set of elective units for all students,
why are there so few elective units? Two,
why does the university prohibit students from studying any unit in the university as an elective, subject to timetabling constraints?
Next year, it may be better to include direct entry students with the year 1 students. Then, have a session specifically about industrial placements for all year 2 students.
Class meeting with year 1 students
At the class meeting this morning (
Sep 19), there were approximately
45 students present by the time the session ended at 10:30.
The staff portal shows the following number of year 1 students, which works out to
83% attendance:
- 49 – Computer Network Management and Design
- 3 – Internet Technology
- 2 – Internet Engineering
Next year, the
induction must start later in the morning. Monday at 9am seems like an unfriendly time to welcome new students. There were students who only recently arrived on campus over the weekend and they have to navigate new buildings, people and schedules.
