Interesting point. We used the SharedThinking approach developed at Glasgow to evaluate teaching placements as part of an Education course. We took a social and participative approach to evaluation. One student commented that "this was evaluation for us."

 

When I did interviews with the students, some commented that although they are aware that evaluation and feedback from students is important for future years on the courses, it rarely did them much good!

 

I think its therefore important that we consider different stakeholders in the evaluation process and the way that evaluation for one can be formative assessment or reflection for another. Who's criteria or belief system(s) are we exploring when we evaluate any part of our provision?

 

I do accept that sometimes we want to investigate specific issues or particular aspects of a course for research and to address a known aspect of concern. The two things don't have to be mutually exclusive though.

 

Hi all,

 

Call them what you will but I know there are varying views on surveying all students, on every course, each year…

 

I saw the following post on twitter (http://www.npr.org/blogs/ed/2014/09/26/345515451/student-course-evaluations-get-an-f?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social) and it got me thinking…

-          What is the evidence for the benefits (or not) of this type of approach?

-          Given the broader Student Engagement and Partnership discussions taking place, are we all (students and staff) going about this in the right way?

-          How could or should feedback/experiences of teaching be captured…is this even the way to frame the question?

 

I hope the article prompts some discussion and sharing of practice (something this list excels at!).

 

It would be really interesting to hear what approaches your institution is taking to this area of work either as pockets of good practice or institution wide activity.

 

Happy if people want to share off-list and where I can I’ll feedback to those who provide info post-discussion.

 

Have a good day,

Will

 

PS: saw some interesting ideas for course evaluations at the wonderful RAISE conference earlier this month, thanks to the great team for putting on a super event (again).

 

William Carey  l Teaching and Learning Adviser (Student Engagement)  l  Teaching and Learning Support Office  l  Directorate for the Student Experience l  John Owens Building  l  The University of Manchester  l  Oxford Road  l  Manchester, M13 9PL  l 

Tel +44 (0) 161 275 3299 l  Fax +44 (0) 161 306 6031  l  www.manchester.ac.uk