This document summarizes the development of a student guide on assessment and feedback. A group of 20 students from various faculties and campuses worked with the students' union and university staff to create the guide. They explored different types of assessment and feedback through workshops and surveys. The guide aims to help students better understand feedback and assessment in order to improve their learning. It was well received by students involved in its creation, who found it a useful overview. The guide is available for other students and staff to use in evaluating and enhancing their assessment and feedback practices.

1. A guide developed
by students for students
Stuart Cannell
University of Ulster Students’ Union

2. •Students are Partners in their
education
•Understanding what needs changed in
relation to assessment & feedback
•Mis-match in information

3. •Surveys and module feedback
•Institutionally – led, with support from
SU
•Lack of depth or understanding beyond
raw data

5. • Focus groups and workshops
• SU – led, with support from institution
• Added depth and understanding of
student voice

7. • Future projects in which students
collaborate with staff to innovate in
curriculum design and assessment &
feedback
• Students and staff as equals in
collaborative change projects

9. We have been listening to staff and students, and this is what we
heard:

10. • Funding secured from HEA by the
Director of CHEP
• A student project team was formed, a
range of students were included:
– 20 students in total
– all campuses and faculties represented
– sabbaticals, class reps and students

11. • Away Day in June last year:
– Students explored the different types of
assessment and feedback they had
experienced
– Explored other types of assessment and
feedback that could be used
– Other data available on student opinions also
looked at

12. • Students researched guides from other
institutions and decided on content and
structure of guide
• Students came up with ‘Focus on
Feedback’ theme
• Final leaflet produced by our SU designer
– handwritten notes and doodles taken
directly from away day flipcharts

13. Student Guide
Available to download here:
http://uusu.org/files/focus-on-feedback-2011.on

14. On students involved in its development:
‘The session made me realise that we do receive
feedback from most staff (general feedback)….. but it's
not always what I feel is adequate and I struggle to learn
from it’
'Interesting to hear student experiences from a range of faculties
and disciplines. Highlighted the need for a coordinated approach
to create a level playing field for all students, so that they can all
improve on feedback received and work to the best of their ability.'
'I thought it was a great step-by-step guide,
especially for first years who haven't got much
experience on this matter.'

15. Questions for
groups
• How might you use the Student Guide to Assessment and
Feedback in your practice?
• How might you use this across all levels of a programme in
an integrated and cohesive way?
• How do you ensure that the feedback you give to students
is interpreted and used to maximum effect in light of this
leaflet?
• What challenges are envisaged in relation to your
suggestions/ideas?