The document discusses efforts to improve student satisfaction scores (NSS) by focusing on reading lists at the University of Bedfordshire. It notes that student satisfaction with learning resources is above average but that some issues exist with reading lists not being available or aligned with student needs. The university has created an Academic Resource and Reading Strategy initiative across various departments to collaboratively address reading list issues, improve embedded reading tasks, and help students develop information literacy skills in order to further increase NSS scores over time.

1. But its my list, why are you
making me change it?
Waging war with reading lists to improve NSS
scores

2. Who are we?

3. When did academia become a
business?
• Fees
• League tables
• Student voice
• NSS, Igrad, PRES
• Value for money (VFM)

4. NSS
• Satisfaction – really?
• University strategy
• LR response
• Question16
•Whose responsibility?

5. UOB issues
• Students not reading
• Items not available
•Shopping lists
•Perceptions & expectations
•How much budget do we need V how
much budget do we get?

6. Response
•Academic Resource and Reading Strategy
(ARRS)
• University initiative
•Centre for Learning Excellence
• Student Experience
• Collaboration

7. Reading lists
•Format
•(Un)Focussed
• Cut and paste
• Bibliography
• IP
• Nothing to do with me, it’s the library

8. Up against it
•Perceptions & expectations of student
ability
•Embedded reading tasks
•Too much work
•Jumped up %&!!£$
• NO, NO, NO

9. The rest of the toolkit
• Digitisation
• MIS data
• Ratio’s
• Information literacy
•Book shop
• High Demand holds

10. How are we doing?
• Question 16 up!
•Comments are fewer
•Number of lists added
•HODS seeing non compliance as a
performance issue
•Recognition this is a joint issue, not just the
library

11. Highlights from the 2014
NSS
• Rated 21st nationally for personal development with a satisfaction
score of 86%
• Students’ Union placed in the top 50 nationally
• Learning Resources satisfaction 86% - above sector average
• Top 30 nationally for assessment and feedback
• Leading university for improving career prospects and career choices
• Satisfaction has improved in all 22 core questions of the survey
• 88% of mature students satisfied with their course
• 87% of part-time students satisfied with their course
http://www.beds.ac.uk/student-experience2/national-student-survey

12. So are we winning the war?
Little by little ….

13. Jo Myhill
Head of Academic Liaison
University of Bedfordshire
jo.myhill@beds.ac.uk