Brighton Students’ Union Course Rep Training #ReadytoRep Brighton Students’ Union Course Rep Training

Session Aims Understand the Course Rep role #ReadytoRep Understand the Course Rep role Introduce the skills you will use Learn about support and resources available from the Students’ Union and University Set goals for your role Section 1: Introducing the role

What your school will know #ReadytoRep What your school will know Date of course board (student-staff meeting) Personal tutors Key staff Course specific info Section 1: Introducing the role

Introductions #ReadytoRep Section 1: Introducing the role

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRunpYSYLC0 Section 1: Introducing the role

Independent Academic Advice Representation Entertainment and Events #ReadytoRep Independent Academic Advice Representation Entertainment and Events Clubs and Societies Shops, Cafes and Bars Volunteering Opportunities Section 1: Introducing the role

BSU- Sabbatical Officers #ReadytoRep Left to right: Bethany Wren – Vice President Academic Experience, Frank Dankwa – Vice President Activities and Participation, Hayley Wood – Union President, Cat Bach – Vice President Campus Development  Section 1: Introducing the role

The Representative Role #ReadytoRep Course Reps: - What is their purpose? - What tasks will there be? - What skills do you think you will develop in the role? - How do you think the role will benefit you? Table discussions for each Section 1: Introducing the role

Purpose #ReadytoRep To ensure the views of all the students on your course are represented on matters relating to teaching and learning Student issues or suggestions are discussed with Course Rep Course Rep speaks with staff about the issue A solution is found and the Course Rep tells students what is being done Students give feedback to Course Rep on the decisions that have been made To work in partnership with the University and Students’ Union to improve and develop the student learning experience.   Section 1: Introducing the role

Tasks #ReadytoRep Gather Feedback - Seek students’ views about the course and their learning Research issues Present student views to staff informally and at staff/student meetings Establish positive working relationships with staff and students and work in partnership to reach satisfactory solutions Feedback - let students know of outcomes and on-going developments and keep the Students’ Union informed on relevant issues Seek Support – from staff / SU when unsure about any aspect of role Section 1: Introducing the role

Skills Listening Reflection Research Communication Presentation #ReadytoRep Listening Reflection Research Communication Presentation Diplomacy Negotiation Organisation Time management Section 1: Introducing the role

Benefits #ReadytoRep Make a difference – by having a positive impact on the student experience and the quality of your course Get to know other students and staff Develop confidence and transferable skills Good experience for future employment Build up your CV Section 1: Introducing the role

What do Course Reps not do? #ReadytoRep Become involved with individual personal issues For academic appeals, individual complaints, disciplinary meetings and issues such as bullying signpost students to the Students’ Union Support Service For welfare problems – health and personal issues, financial and accommodation queries signpost to SSGTs and Student Services Represent only their own views – Sometimes you may have to represent a view you don’t hold yourself Section 1: Introducing the role

#ReadytoRep Don’t take on too much! The Students’ Union recommends a 20:1 student:rep ratio Section 1: Introducing the role

What do Course Reps not do? #ReadytoRep When in doubt, ask us! SU VP Academic Experience Bethany Wren Email: b.wren@brighton.ac.uk Tel: 01273 643193 SU Student Rep Co-ordinator Dan Simmonds Email: coursereps@brighton.ac.uk Tel: 01273 643127 Section 1: Introducing the role

Collecting feedback about your course #ReadytoRep Collecting feedback about your course Introduce yourself before a lecture Send a group email via student central Put up a contact poster on your course notice board Set up a Facebook group Use the SU Course Reps Survey Monkey account User name: uobcoursereps Password: feedback Section 2: Collecting Feedback

Using Surveys #ReadytoRep Design a survey Timetabling Resources Teaching quality Feedback TASK HERE Section 2: Collecting Feedback

Section 2: Collecting Feedback

Section 2: Collecting Feedback

Section 2: Collecting Feedback

Previous Feedback #ReadytoRep National Student Survey (NSS) http://unistats.direct.gov.uk/ Find out what last years final year students thought about your course. Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) similar to the NSS for postgraduate students Course Board Minutes – look at what has been discussed at previous staff –student meetings. Find in your Course Area (Studentcentral)or ask at School Office External Examiners Reports available at your School Office Section 2: Collecting Feedback

#ReadytoRep Scenario Discussion Section 3: Resolving Issues

Scenario 1 How would you approach this situation? Who might help? #ReadytoRep Scenario 1 A couple of students have approached you on separate occasions to say they have failed an assessment but feel they were graded unfairly. How would you approach this situation? Who might help? What outcome are you looking for? Section 3: Resolving Issues

Scenario 2 How might you approach these issues? #ReadytoRep Scenario 2 Students have expressed concerns to you about the availability of copies of core reading material in the library. There are insufficient copies of the books they need. They would also like to see the library open for longer hours. How might you approach these issues? What outcome are you looking for? Section 3: Resolving Issues

Scenario 3 How would you approach this situation? #ReadytoRep Scenario 3 Students feel like a module from the previous semester didn’t help them explore the subject. They wanted to see more varied assessments than just essays and presentations. They notice the assessments for a module in this semester are similar. How would you approach this situation? What outcome are you looking for? Section 3: Resolving Issues

Resolving Issues Talk directly with Course Leader / relevant tutor #ReadytoRep Talk directly with Course Leader / relevant tutor Take issue to a more formal meeting – Course Board or staff/ student liaison meeting Maintain confidentiality – ask before you mention other students by name Unsure how to proceed?– ask the Students’ Union Section 3: Resolving Issues

Student-Staff Meetings #ReadytoRep Before Gather Feedback Check previous minutes Speak to other Course Reps Rehearse what you plan to say During Raise students issues Ask questions Take notes After Report back to students Check minutes for accuracy Follow through on action points If you cant attend a meeting ensure you send your apologies and a written report or co-opt another student to attend Section 4: Rep skills Before Gather points

In your handbook… #ReadytoRep Section 4: Rep skills

Last Years Reps….. #ReadytoRep Gathered other students opinions 93% Provided feedback to staff 86% Provided feedback to students on your course on issues 79% Attended Course Board (or Staff/Student meetings) 77% Discussed issues informally with course leader/other staff 63% Sorted out students individual problems (which are not related to your course as a whole) 32% Emailed students about filling in a survey following instruction from academic staff (e.g. National Student Survey) Organised social events 23% Carried out administrative tasks (e.g. timetable distribution, photocopying) 11% Section 4: Rep skills

Action based Setting goals Specific Measurable Realistic Timed #ReadytoRep Consider what you need to achieve in your role using SMART goals Specific Measurable Action based Realistic Timed Section 5: Get started

SMART example #ReadytoRep -By December I will have gathered and shared feedback for the first term. Specific: Only feedback for taught content Measurable: 50% participation Action based: Conduct survey, write up results Realistic: Only commit 1hr per week Timed: Complete by December Section 5: Get started

What Course Reps have achieved #ReadytoRep Dissertation tutors were changed; better lines of communication were opened; more thorough feedback was given on assessments; more information on topics/assessments was given we managed to challenge word counts for essays- some of which were too tight given the outcome criteria that needed to be reached. the organisation of student central was really messy and unclear for one of the subjects, this was changed and became much clearer. Coursework deadlines clashing was brought up, these were then changed so that there weren't pieces of coursework from different modules all due in on the same day. Section 5: Get started

Useful Resources #ReadytoRep Students’ Union Website www.brightonsu.com/changethi ngs/coursereps BSU Course Reps facebook group Course Rep Handbook UoB Course Rep Policy Students’ Union Offices Section 5: Get started

Information Services We are here to help #ReadytoRep Section 6: Information Services

Digital Toolkit #ReadytoRep Click to find out more! Need Help? Get your devices online Access to study materials and course communication Download Microsoft Office for FREE Blackboard Mobile App – for studentcentral notifications Use an electronic notetaking tool Online submission of assignments Create your ePortfolio Need Help? Email servicedesk@brighton.ac.uk Click to find out more! Section 6: Information Services

Help and Support …and once again! Course Leader School Academic Rep #ReadytoRep Course Leader School Academic Rep …and once again! SU VP Academic Experience Bethany Wren Email: b.wren@brighton.ac.uk Tel: 01273 643193 SU Student Rep Co-ordinator Dan Simmonds Email: coursereps@brighton.ac.uk Tel: 01273 643127 Section 7: Support and guidance

Rep Forums Termly meetings on each campus #ReadytoRep Termly meetings on each campus Platform for reps to resolve issues collectively Give the SU feedback Section 8: Support and guidance

School Academic Reps Laurence Howell l.howell2@uni.brighton.ac.uk #ReadytoRep School Academic Reps Laurence Howell l.howell2@uni.brighton.ac.uk Applied Social Sciences School Academic Rep Section 8: Support and guidance

School Academic Reps The key responsibilities for the School Reps are: #ReadytoRep School Academic Reps The key responsibilities for the School Reps are: Meet with Course Reps on their issues around the academic experience Discuss collective issues raised by Course Reps on the School Boards and/or other relevant meetings Attend Students’ Union meetings and help shape policy to guide what the union does to support students Feedback to students on changes that have been made with their input Section 8: Support and guidance

Have a great year - and stay in touch! And finally…. #ReadytoRep What we’ve covered today: Understand the Course Rep role Introduce the skills you will use Learn about support and resources available from the Students’ Union and University Set goals for your role Have a great year - and stay in touch! Section 8: Support and guidance

#ReadytoRep Any Questions?