St Mary’s University Publishes Audio Feedback Findings

The Technology Enhanced Learning team at St Mary’s University, Twickenham has investigated the use of audio in feedback of student work and how this enhances student engagement. Funded by the Joint Information Systems Committee (JISC) Transformations Programme, the study entitled Online Feedback Form and Feed Forward was carried out from July 2012 to July 2013. It aimed to enhance the process of providing feedback to students through the use of audio, which has been recognised as a way to transform the timeliness and quality of feedback within the University’s academic schools. The project enlisted the input of academic staff to test and embed the techniques into their undergraduate programmes and the project has been positively received by both students and staff using the new method. Most notably the personal, tailored nature of the lecturers’ observations and the ability for staff to go into more detail were cited as the main advantages and the technique has now been rolled out to several course modules including Alpine Research Expedition (Geography) and Reflective Teaching and Learning (PGCE). The JISC Transformation Programme was created in November 2011 to instigate large-scale organisational change among higher education institutions supported by Information Communication Technology. The project was led by Project Manager Dr Katya Toneva, Director of Library and Learning Technology Martin Scarrott and E-Learning Support Assistant Gosia Iwaniec. To view the complete case study, please visit the JISC website or St Mary’s audio feedback blog.