Student Experience & Academic Standards

You told us that…

• Feedback on assessments is often returned late;
• The quality of the feedback you receive is variable, and was sometimes not legible or clear;
• You would appreciate more constructive detail in the feedback to help you improve your future assignments;
• Feedback given by staff on some courses involving placements needs to be more structured and consistent;
• In some cases, the marking criteria for assessments and examinations is not very clear.

We’re making improvements through…

• Developing a common, shared understanding (between both staff and students) of what ‘feedback’ means;
• Enhancing the feedback given to you on assessments, to ensure that it is legible, timely and constructive;
• Developing guidance for you on the use you can make of the feedback you receive;
• Improving the guidance and information about assessments which you receive in student handbooks and other publications;
• Improving consistency in assessment processes and practices across all of the University;
• Giving high priority to the University’s “Assessment Matters” project, which will begin to deliver real improvements to assessment and feedback processes during 2012 and beyond.
• Since September 2011, teaching staff have to return your work within 4 working weeks, the feedback has to be legible and constructive, and they also have to provide generic feedback on how your class did in exams.  Feedback is a huge part of the learning process and if you want to achieve the best you can, you need to use written feedback, advice in lectures, verbal comments in seminars and meetings with your personal tutor to identify how you can improve.  More information is available from the Academic Feedback for Students page.

You told us that…

• Your teaching and curriculum should, where possible, incorporate new and varied technologies

We’re making improvements through…

• Providing more opportunities for you to engage in research, through projects linked to staff research interests (such as the CUROP project)
• Requiring all new lecturing staff to undertake the Postgraduate Certificate in University Teaching and Learning (PCUTL). PCUTL aims to encourage high quality student learning through developing and enhancing the teaching ability of staff
• University mobile apps have been developed so you can access resources on the move.  Download the Learning Central app, the Student Support app and the Cardiff University mobile app.  This includes mobile access to your e-mail, a search function to find a free PC on campus, University news and the ‘Ask a Librarian’ instant messaging service.  In order to download all of these apps go to http://www.cf.ac.uk/mobile.

You told us that…

• You wanted extended library hours;
• Your teaching and curriculum should, where possible, incorporate new and varied technologies.

We’re making improvements through…

• Introducing extended opening hours in six libraries. These libraries were open an additional 35 hours per week during the most recent second semester revision/examination period. You can find out when your library is open by checking on the Libraries web page, or for more information on University libraries follow them on twitter @cardiffunilib;
• The library service now has access to over 100,000 e-textbooks.  You can access these e-books from anywhere using the normal Voyager search service.
• Students working in Julian Hodge, Arts and Social Sciences Library, Main Building Library and the Cochrane Library are now able to access wireless printing.  As long as your laptop is connected to the University network, you will be able to print straight from your own device.  From September 2012 this service will be available in all libraries.
• Arranging for additional study space to be available during busy periods, such as exam revision times;
• The introduction of an enhanced virtual learning environment (Learning Central), which has been developed based on the needs and requests of students and staff;
• Increased opportunities for staff development to ensure staff can improve their use of the tools and technologies made available by the University to support your learning.

You told us that…

• Admission and enrolment processes could be made more efficient;
• The University could provide better information dealing with your arrival at Cardiff;
• You’d like more information on the personal and financial support available to you;
• You’d like to receive information from the University which is specific and relevant to you.

We’re making improvements through…

• The successful implementation of online application and enrolment processes;
• Revising the welcome and induction material which you receive, including the Welcome to Cardiff leaflet and webpages;
• Enhancing the University’s financial and advisory support services, including the recent development of a money-management iPhone app;
• Improving the ways in which we communicate with you, through ongoing development of a Communication Strategy which seeks to make communication at all levels clear, timely, relevant and accurate;
• Personalising the information which you receive from the University via a secure online environment;
• The introduction of a texting service to provide targeted information on Careers activities.

You told us that…

• You are often asked to complete surveys and evaluations, but that you are not made aware of what’s been done to improve things;
• You don’t know who your student rep is and you’re not sure what they do.

We’re making improvements through…

• Developing clear structures for the way in which the University asks for your views and opinions, and providing you with examples of how we have used your suggestions to improve your experiences of life at Cardiff;
• Widening the opportunities for you to give feedback via large in-house surveys, such as the online survey for first years (Project Q) and the Students’ Union annual satisfaction survey;
• Acting in partnership with the Students’ Union to promote the National Student Survey (NSS), with the aim of encouraging as many final year students as possible to complete the survey;
• Ensuring that your School uses your opinions and suggestions to contribute to the regular review of your modules and programmes;
• Improving the student representaton system, so that you are clear who can represent your views and how your School involves you in its decision-making structures;
• Ensuring, through regular meetings and shared work, that the University and the Students’ Union work in partnership to help improve the student experience.