Talking Results - trialing an audio-visual feedback method for e-submissions

Abstract

The importance of good quality, personalised feedback for students in higher education is well documented by authors such as Cottrell (2010). Feedback is regarded as a key indicator of student satisfaction in the National Student Survey, and an important indicator of teaching quality by the Quality Assurance Agency.

The decision to move to an electronic submission system at the University of Derby in the 2011-12 academic year led to a number of academic staff investigating alternative feedback methods. Across the University four different audio feedback methods were tested. This author trialed Jing, an audio-visual feedback tool, on a group of 40 undergraduate students on the BSc Hons Diagnostic Radiography.

The results of the trial were encouraging, after an initial adjustment period scripts were much quicker to mark, and feedback was more detailed and personalised to each student. Student views on the feedback were found to be positive. Drawbacks all related to problems accessing the feedback file. It is hoped to be able to continue using an audio-visual feedback method during 2012-13 academic year to provide richer feedback to students.