STUDENTS AS CHANGE AGENTS: Elisabeth Dunne Student Lifewide Development Symposium

Would you like to support your School in improving learning and teaching? - What do you keep moaning about to your School, but never seems to get any better? - What really matters to you within your degree programme? - Are there issues discussed in your School’s SSLCs that need further attention? - Do you know what students in your School feel most strongly about in relation to their personal learning experiences? - What do you know about the learning needs of your peers? If you are interested in any of these questions, or have some of your own, why not join in a new and innovative research project. LEAFLET FOR STUDENTS

A Graduate Placement student Education Enhancement £12,000 from the DVC Hubble bubble Staff-Student Liaison committees Individual students Toil and trouble Support from the Student Guild

Over 1000 students, with the support of the Students’ Guild, gave opinions about the multi-million new ‘heart’ for the Exeter campus – The Forum. And tested furniture!

Archaeology Findings: Students feel that there is not enough information available for careers in archaeology. 82% of students want a careers fair specifically designed for this subject area. Outcomes: Careers fair, updated website and monthly bulletins for jobs, work experience and funding availability.

Biosciences Findings: Students struggle with scientific essay writing. 89% of students wanted more essay practice and many feel unprepared for essay examinations. Outcomes: Essay skills guide for all students, more tutorial style essay sessions brought in for first years.

‘The best thing is conducting real research into what students actually think and being able to present this information to senior staff in full knowledge that what you’re saying is backed up by proof’. ‘I think the most exciting part of this project has been to see that it is possible to make a change even at such a large institution. Before this project I did not expect it to be possible to make a change, but this has shown me that with a little work and dedication you can make things happen’. I have taken many personal benefits from involvement with Students as Change Agents… enhanced presentation skills, an ability to prioritise my time more effectively as well as having a wealth of experiences to include in my CV and talk about at interviews… it has been a positive and enjoyable journey and I would unreservedly recommend getting involved to any proactive individual who has a passion for making a difference.

EMPHASIS ON THE STUDENT AS DRIVER EMPHASIS ON THE UNIVERSITY AS DRIVER EMPHASIS ON THE STUDENT VOICE EMPHASIS ON STUDENT ACTION Integrating students into educational change STUDENTS AS CHANGE AGENTS