Encouraging students and staff to hear each others views in the feedback fog to support

learning on both sides!

Dr Lindsey Ferrie, Simon CotterillMichael Thirlwell and Emma Curry

School of

Biomedical Sciences

LTMSLearning Technologies for Medical Sciences

Why was the project needed?• Despite consistently high (+95%) NSS overall

satisfaction, feedback satisfaction is lower ~75%

• Students express uncertainty in how to feed forward in non subject-specific content

• Staff disengagement with feedback as a result of time limitations and student use.

The Feedback Foghorn

Less is more! A simpler approach offers greater support

What the project did.

• Collected staff and student opinions on feedback.• Supported a student designed add on to existing

ePortfolio services which focuses on feedback.• Trialled use of the “Feedback Foghorn” with

Biomedical Science undergraduates.• Currently integrating reflective feedback practices

using the “Foghorn” in all degree programmes.

Who was involved

• Student interns – Michael Thirlwell and Emma Curry– Newcastle Work Experience scheme (Careers

service) £600 for 100 hours support• Internet Developers– James Outterside and David Teasdale– Learning Technologies for Medical Sciences (LTMS)

• Students and staff– SBMS and Psychology

Student design

Mock-ups

‘Intermediate-2’ design

Michael Emma

Development (LTMS)

James David Simon

Going Forward

• Piloting

• Sustainability / Scalability• Admin tools• Standardised upload/integration processes» Assignment slots by module / academic year» Feedback (Grade Centre, Essay feedback etc.)

Outcomes• Surveys

– Students (n = 72), Staff (n = 35)

Differences:– Frequency of discussing feedback with staff vs friends– 76% students say never/once versus 40% reported by staff – Agreement that often students forget suggestions for improvement for the next piece of work.– 43% students agree versus 66% staff

Similarities:– Marking criteria misunderstanding– Critical thinking and Integration of material highest ranked by both staff and students.

– Storing/using student feedback in one place– BUT 90% students want this versus 69% staff

• Focus Groups– Students (n = 15)

– Marking criteria needs clarification and opportunity to talk to individuals

Outcomes

• Foghorn design/style– 105 undergraduate students

– Key word analysis – 74% positive response to design #4

• User survey– 12 SBMS students

– 75% agreed it would be useful for learning and applying feedback.

Advice

• Timing of student surveys • Impact of different data systems• Incentives budget!• Make use of student interns and NWE

Thanks