Evaluating student expectations online through SUE @ BU.

Abstract

In order to gain feedback on units of delivery at Bournemouth University (BU) students are provided with the Student Unit Evaluation (SUE) to complete. This mechanism enables the University to review the effectiveness of their units of delivery under several frameworks and programmes. The SUE project has involved investigation into appropriate technologies, such as the use of the Blackboard and Waypoint survey tools, to support the process during the last three years of implementation, resulting in a transition away from traditional paper based survey methods to completion in an online environment that mirrors the world that will be encountered in the NSS. The Procurement process in early 2009 resulted in the use of Waypoint for a second consecutive year. The 2009/ 2010 academic year has also seen a greater emphasis on increasing SUE response rates, and the Learning Technologists were crucial in providing support for the project. Notably this was in providing support in lab sessions. In addition internal restructuring at Bournemouth University has led to an increased opportunity to work collaboratively. Those Learning technologists supporting SUE have become part of a wider team as part of Library and Learning Support. This means that Learning Technologists are able to work in conjunction with Subject Librarian teams to support students completing SUEs and promote the importance and value of doing so, with the aim of increasing response rates as a result. In order to increase the accuracy of data, the University is discussing the possible development of an in-house system for 2010. The benefits of an in-house solution complement the reporting requirements of key stakeholders within the Schools. It will provide potential opportunities to increase efficiency and flexibility in deploying surveys whilst being grounded within the continuous evaluation of the SUE process across the University. This poster will demonstrate the transition through the different stages of our project designed to improve student response and the quality of the information gathered.