Cohort feedback case study

School / department: School of Social Sciences

Programme: Various

Contact: Phil Wane

Level of study: Level one (sociology), level three (economics)

Activity: Individualised video feedback to whole cohort

Aim: Improve efficiency and effectiveness of feedback

This exercise has been used to give individual feedback on assessed course work rather than post exam feedback to an entire cohort (i.e. one generic feedback item suitable for the whole cohort), however it is considered to be the type of practice that could be adjusted to suit various requirements and this is explored within the case study

Case study
The tutor receives and marks the course work and then creates an individual two to three-minute long feedback video for each student. Previously the tutor has also provided written feedback.

All videos are uploaded to NOW and referenced by a Nickname (pseudonym) previously given confidentially to each student.

Students can then go online and access their feedback (identified by their pseudonym). In the past the video feedback has related back to the written feedback, encouraging students to collect feedback from the School Office. Previously when this has been the case every student in the cohort has collected their written feedback.

As well as being directed to written their written feedback students are encouraged to contact the lecturer should they require any further clarification or information.

Students can also access the other feedback videos from that cohort but, unless they have knowledge of their peer’s pseudonym they will not be able to relate the feedback films to individuals.

Students have reported that the ability to access other student’s feedback videos also allows them the opportunity to pick up further tips which they have found helpful.

Benefits to staff: This is a very quick and direct way of getting feedback to students post assessment. There are no timetabling or availability issues associated with organising feedback tutorials.

Benefits to students: Feedback is quick and accessible as it allows students to access their feedback wherever they are (including off-campus), subject to their being able to access NOW. It also offers the opportunity to expand their learning by viewing other feedback videos.

Feedback: Informal feedback from students has been very positive

Adaptations: Video feedback in the format described above gives personal feedback direct to individual students and offers the opportunity to engage further by; cross referencing with written feedback, consulting with the lecturer and exploring feedback given to peers. This type of feedback could be adapted in various ways for example:

1. Video feedback on exams (whole cohort). Following the marking of scripts a link to a generalised cohort feedback video could be sent to students to be followed by individualised feedback (video and/or written) at a later date.
2. Video feedback on exams (individual).
3. Formative feedback in video format only with no associated written feedback.

Considerations: This practice is not resource expensive to undertake as small or inbuilt web cameras can be used to record the feedback, though staff may need to first familiarise themselves with the technology.

Initially some staff may find recording audio feedback rather than video feedback simpler and works better for them.

If considering this feedback practice following an exam staff should consider that feedback on a final year exams may not receive the same level of engagement from students (having finished their UG studies) as first or second year exam feedback. Additionally feedback on the process (video feedback) may be more difficult to gather from students who have completed their university studies

Further information: Phil Wane, Senior Lecturer, Criminology Public Health and Policy Studies.