REF: 66-2412-9832529 - SES Timing

Your comment: I think it would be better and more useful to have the end of module survey after the exam period because the overall module experience and outcome is greatly influenced by how much revision help/resources are provided and how useful they are. In the past, I haven't had much to say about just the lectures and workshops but I would have more feedback to give about exam preparation and I think this would be helpful since exam resources make a huge difference for the modules overall.

Our response:

Thank you for your thoughtful suggestion about the timing of module evaluations. I truly appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective, as it helps us refine our processes to better serve students' needs.

You’ve raised an important point about the role of exam preparation resources and their impact on the overall module experience. Gathering feedback after the exam period could indeed provide additional insights into how well modules support students throughout their learning and assessment journey.

Currently, the timing of evaluations is designed to capture feedback while the teaching experience is still fresh in students’ minds. However, I understand this approach might not fully capture aspects like exam preparation and support.

In the past, we tried delaying assessment and feedback-related questions until week 11 via email. Unfortunately, response rates for these later surveys were very low, which impacted the reliability and validity of the data. As a result, this later survey element was removed.

At present, module evaluations (SES) can be scheduled anytime between weeks 7 and 10 of the semester (9th March to 24th April). This provides flexibility for module coordinators to choose a meaningful point in the teaching schedule for their module.

While this timing aims to ensure most teaching and some feedback are completed, this isn’t always feasible for all modules. To address this, students are encouraged to consider their summative feedback when completing the SES. If specific feedback isn’t yet available, students can select “Not Applicable” for related questions. On the positive side, early feedback allows module coordinators to adjust during the same semester, potentially benefiting the students providing the feedback.

I’ll share your suggestion with the team responsible for module evaluations to explore the feasibility of adjusting the timing or incorporating additional questions specifically about exams into a later survey. If you have additional suggestions or experiences you’d like to share, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Should you wish to feed anything in about your experience at any time of the year you can do so via Tell Us Now. Your input is invaluable to us as we continually work to enhance the student experience.

Thank you again for your constructive feedback.