Module Feedback Policy

1.1 Purpose

1.1.1

The ethos of Student Feedback at Swansea University is core to the success of the institution in relation to the Academic Faculties and Professional Services and its vision in providing a quality student experience by supporting student partnership and student voice.

1.1.2

The UK Quality Code 2024, Principle 2 states, “Engaging students as partners - Providers take deliberate steps to engage students as active partners in assuring and enhancing the quality of the student learning experience. Engagement happens individually and collectively to influence all levels of study and decision-making. Enhancements identified through student engagement activities are implemented, where appropriate, and communicated to staff and ” One of the key practices is, “Student engagement and representation activities are clearly defined, communicated, resourced and supported. Transparent arrangements are in place for the collective student voice to be heard and responded to”.

1.1.3

The university provides bespoke feedback opportunities, allowing for gathering of feedback at an appropriate time during the module, using a variety of ways of gathering the feedback. It is an opportunity to assess and understand the learning of students and focus on the student experience of the module. The purpose of this is to receive student feedback, highlight good practice and areas for enhancement. This allows for any enhancements to be put in place and close the feedback loop with our students in a timely manner.

1.2 Scope

1.2.1

This Policy relates to internally-delivered module feedback at Swansea University It does not apply to other University surveys including the National Student Survey (NSS) or Student Experience Surveys at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

1.2.2

This Policy applies to all Swansea University undergraduate and postgraduate programmes which undertake module feedback, including postgraduate research programmes with taught components.

1.3 Principles

1.3.1

Student feedback is vital in providing the University with first-hand information regarding the student experience, including both academic and extra-curricular based feedback from students. Student feedback is used for enhancement purposes at module, programme and Faculty level, as well as to enhance the provision and function of our Professional Services.

1.3.2

Swansea University has a commitment to encourage and engage with student feedback, therefore, it is expected that all modules across the University will undertake module feedback. The Student Feedback Team in Education Services will provide resources, training and support.

Student feedback should remain confidential to comply with the University’s Student  Privacy Notice - Swansea University and student data handled in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) & The Data Protection Act 2018 Data  Protection - Swansea University. Data will be used for module enhancement purposes only.

1.3.3

Student feedback opportunities are provided at all levels of study, across all Faculties. Surveys remain a large part of the student feedback cycle at Swansea and enable students to provide feedback at all levels of study, including at module and programme level as well as in relation to Professional Services. However, alternative approaches may be utilised for module feedback, as appropriate to the discipline, cohort and purpose.

1.3.4

Students will be reminded to provide feedback in a constructive manner, using appropriate The University Student Charter requires students to treat all members of the University community with courtesy and respect. Where student feedback is considered to fall short of these expected standards, anonymity will be removed, and appropriate action taken against that student.

1.4

Inappropriate content in module feedback should first be reported to the relevant Associate Dean Education who will then approach the Student Feedback Team who can escalate the inappropriate content for Any further action will be decided by the Director of Education Services based on the nature of the content.

1.5 Definitions

2.1

Following an institutional review of the student feedback offering in 2022 and 2023 which engaged staff and students, the key areas of focus for student voice including module feedback at Swansea University are:

• Dialogic student feedback opportunities
• Ongoing clarification and context discovery with students
• Closing of the feedback loop
• Transparency of actions and enhancement activities

The image below demonstrates the overall module feedback The Student Feedback Toolkit provides support, guidance and process information.

3.1 Gathering student feedback

3.1.1

The move to dialogic student feedback promotes more informal approaches to gather student feedback, engaging students in dialogue and conversations about their experience and about solutions or actions. The objective is to offer students meaningful opportunities to give feedback at key points in the module, and to familiarise themselves with the feedback approach. Opportunities need to be timely, relevant and constructive.

3.1.2 

The Student Feedback Toolkit provides examples of a variety of ways of gathering student feedback, at appropriate times to suit the module, staff and students. It also includes case studies of effective practice from across the institution.

3.1.3

Whilst a variety of methods may be utilised for gathering student feedback, it is important to note that further clarity and context may be required. This may be captured via discussions with Student Representatives or via further discussion-based activities with the wider student cohort. This helps to ensure any actions undertaken as a result of student feedback are relevant, timely and maintains the dialogue between staff and students.

3.1.4           

Module Coordinators will be expected to deliver module feedback using one or both of the routes outlined below:

• Using the standard module feedback question sets within Canvas. 
• Using alternative approaches to student feedback, for example: surveys, polls, stop/start/continue, discussion forums or in-class activities.

Guidance and case studies can be found here: Student Feedback Toolkit

A table showing the Roles and Responsibilities can be found in section 4, below.

3.2 Analysis, Monitoring and Enhancement

3.2.1     

The use and distribution of student feedback data is restricted to internal enhancement purposes within the university.

3.2.2       

Student feedback should always remain confidential and only shared with relevant members of staff. The standard module feedback questions provided in Canvas should be run anonymously. Guidance on how to do this can be found here: Student Feedback Toolkit

3.2.3    

When analysing student feedback, it can be useful to cross-reference with other sources such as ARQUE and Peer Observation. It is important to note also that module feedback is a single source of student feedback. The University offers a suite of feedback opportunities for students which will interlink with one another. As these sources and opportunities for feedback build a picture of the student experience, they may also identify areas of effective practice, gaps in provision and areas for enhancement.

Module feedback data may include both quantitative and qualitative responses. The Programme Director and the Module Co-ordinator should, where necessary, have access to all quantitative and qualitative data. Data shared between staff members within a module should be restricted to quantitative data, student comments should only be shared sensitively with relevant staff at the discretion of the Module Co-ordinator.

A table showing the Roles and Responsibilities can be found in section 4, below.

3.3  Closing the feedback loop

3.3.1

It is important that we ensure students are aware of the purpose of their feedback, how their feedback will be used and the outcome of their feedback. This helps to support an ongoing dialogic approach to student feedback and closing of the feedback loop.

3.3.2     

Transparency is key when closing the feedback loop, it is expected that staff will summarise feedback and resultant actions with students, providing ongoing updates on progress against actions and importantly, discuss with students why some feedback cannot be actioned and why.

An overview, guidance and examples on closing the feedback loop with students can be found in the Student Feedback Toolkit.

3.4  Training & Support

3.4.1

Support and bespoke training is available on request via modulefeedback@swansea.ac.uk.

Guidance, case studies and student facing resources can be found in the Student Feedback Toolkit.