The Student Engagement Project, initiated in 2009 by the HEA and NUS, focuses on enhancing student involvement in academic activities through course evaluation, representation, and curriculum design. Outcomes include a toolkit for institutions and student unions, various reports, and conferences aimed at improving student engagement. Effective course representation is essential for fostering communication between students and staff, facilitating feedback, and driving institutional change.

1. Victoria Passant Student Engagement Officer, NUS Student Engagement

2. The Student Engagement Project Began in 2009 – jointly run between the HEA and NUS The project was informed by the work of the cross-sector student engagement group and CHERI’s report of February 2009 into student engagement. The project runs across three strands: - course evaluation & feedback - student representation - curriculum design. The first two strands of the project have been primarily the responsibility of NUS with curriculum design led by the Academy.

3. The outputs of the project have been: A toolkit of resources to support institutions and students’ unions in reviewing and enhancing engagement activities; A consultancy report into the academic case for engagement; The improvement and extension of web materials; Collation of case studies of effective engagement; Two conferences in November 2010.

4. The Toolkit Contains three main tools: Students as Change Agents card-sort exercise Self-reflection task Course rep benchmarking tool

5. What does student engagement mean?

6. "Student engagement is about how students are actively involved in their academic activities” “ student engagement is how students are actively involved in shaping their academic experience” Goal: “ shared ownership of the learning process, better-informed decisions and an improved learning experience for students.

7. What does it mean for you? Effective course representation Curriculum design Student feedback Partnership!

8. Card-sort exercise Working in groups shuffle the cards Discuss which heading you think each card should be placed. Most important aspect of this activity is to discuss your views and come to an agreement about where each statement is best placed.

9. Course Representation Student representatives are vital to effective liaison between staff, departments and other students as well as with the Students' Union, particularly over course-related issues and therefore vital to effective student engagement! Reps provide unlimited feedback on the experiences of students as well as act as powerful tools in promoting and securing institutional change in the student experience, and embedding the learner voice at the heart of the student experience.

10. Course Representation To ensure the best for your students make sure that you: Gather as much feedback from students on your course as you can Close the feedback loop Make yourself known Use all available resources for your argument – NSS Compare practices on the best and worst courses

11. Further information Download the toolkit: http://www.nusconnect.org.uk/campaigns/highereducation/student-engagement-hub/ Additional support on NUS Connect ( www.nusconnect.org.uk ) [email_address] – Student Engagement Officer.