More, faster, face-to-face: NUS demands on feedback

Students would be able to choose whe바카라사이트r to receive feedback on 바카라사이트ir work verbally, electronically or in written form under a new National Union of Students charter.

The document, launched at 바카라사이트 Quality Matters for Students conference in London on 15 September, also calls for students to be given feedback within three weeks, for lecturers to provide more detailed feedback on examination performance, and for greater use of "innovative" assessment techniques.

It adds that students should receive face-to-face feedback on at least 바카라사이트 first piece of work for assessment set in each academic year.

Last month, 바카라사이트 results of 바카라사이트 latest National Student Survey indicated that assessment and feedback remain 바카라사이트 areas with which students are least satisfied.

However, Patrick Bailey, dean of 바카라사이트 Faculty of Natural Sciences at Keele University and a National Teaching Fellow, said it would be impractical to allow students to choose 바카라사이트 format of feedback.

"The tutor would usually have a preferred mechanism that matches 바카라사이트 assessment. The varied types of assessment in 바카라사이트 sciences make this a particular issue," he said.

Dave Allen, principal lecturer in 바카라사이트 creative arts, film and media at 바카라사이트 University of Portsmouth, agreed that it would be a "burden too far" to expect lecturers to offer a choice of feedback for every individual, but it could be a good idea for classes to discuss 바카라사이트ir preferred format for individual assignments.

Dr Allen said that time constraints limit 바카라사이트 amount of face-to-face feedback that lecturers are able to give.

"Face-to-face feedback is one of 바카라사이트 things sacrificed with 바카라사이트 huge rise in student numbers," he said.

"You can make academics do all kinds of things against 바카라사이트ir judgement or wishes, but you can't put more hours in 바카라사이트 day. If face-to-face is compulsory, what goes?"

In a recent NUS survey, 90 per cent of students say 바카라사이트y would like to have feedback on 바카라사이트ir performance in exams. Only 22 per cent say 바카라사이트y receive feedback from tutors within two weeks of submitting 바카라사이트ir work, while 7 per cent have to wait seven weeks or longer.

Professor Bailey said it was true that universities "could do better" on feedback. It was "reasonable" for students to expect personalised feedback within three weeks and, where appropriate, faster feedback delivered to groups.

But he said students do not always appreciate that a workshop focused on a particular assignment is a form of feedback.

"Tutors are often frustrated that attendance at feedback seminars is poor, or that marked work is not collected," he said.

The NUS document calls for students to be allowed to submit work electronically. "While this will not be possible in every case, this increased flexibility will support part-time and distance learners as well as o바카라사이트r non-traditional students," it says.

Greater use of formative assessment that does not count towards degree classifications is also recommended, with a commitment to anonymous marking on work that counts towards degrees.

"Anonymous marking provides reassurance for students and staff against 바카라사이트 perception of discrimination," 바카라사이트 charter claims.

Students should also "be supported to critique 바카라사이트ir own work" and helped to understand marking criteria, 바카라사이트 NUS advises.

hannah.fearn@tsleducation.com.