Sounds Good: Quicker, better assessment using audio feedback? Bob Rotheram Leeds Metropolitan University

Marian Tuck’s coursework Book review see student briefing Read review Audio feedback listen (as Marian Tuck) listen how did it feel? other comments?

Sounds Good Digital audio coursework feedback formative, summative, individual, group Hypothesis Better feedback + save staff time Leeds Met, 02/08 – 07/08 Leeds Met, Newman, Northampton, York St John, 09/08 – 02/09 [Subject centres: Engineering, GEES]

Some numbers £35k + £15k (JISC) 4 HEIs 38 lecturers students Levels: 1 to doctoral Cohort sizes: 3 to presentations!

Tools, techniques Digital audio feedback MP3 recorders ‘Audacity’ software ‘WIMBA’ voice tools Audio files via: VLE

Student opinions Students like audio feedback! personal, detail, careful consideration “Very helpful. It felt like the tutor was able to expand more…. Often when you read feedback, things can get misunderstood or meant in a different way. I felt this way was very clear.”

On the other hand… Some students prefer written feedback Should staff oblige? Effort to produce, student ‘skimming’… Some want audio + written Whether/how to do it?

Staff opinions Staff like audio feedback: Quality, quantity… “I was able to give … more detailed and pertinent feedback … [It] became almost an online tutorial.” “An ideal medium to assist in the development of skills and confidence of students.” Project manager

From the PGCHE… (New lecturer, on group feedback) “Never have I 'listened' so intently to others' comments on any work I've done. … And it sounded better than I recalled it from the actual session!”

Time saving? Don’t expect to save time immediately Time to send audio files Problem if many students Best chance of saving staff time if: give lots of feedback write slowly but record speech quickly comfortable with technology easy to send audio feedback

Practice guidelines Handheld recorder more convenient? record direct to MP3; USB port Keep files short (<5 mins?) ‘Good enough’ sound quality (32kbps mono?) Get approval for audio use See

Is audio feedback worth it? Experienced practitioner Better, but may not be quicker Give an extended trial Worth it for some assessment, esp. if detail, personal touch valuable to groups Other uses of audio!