TUN feedback - Psychology

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_{Please note: comments and responses may have been edited. Information was correct at time of response but may have been superseded. We publish the comments in the language in which they have been submitted and the University's responses bilingually.}

 20/21 Semester 2

• REF:66-2104-9757015 - Online learning option

  Your comment: I think from now on we should have a permanent choice of whether to study face to face or online, as learning online has worked well for a lot of people i.e. mature students, people not living in student accommodation and are a distance away, are more confident communicating online etc. Also, if we are wearing masks and are separated in exam hall-type rooms for practicals/seminars, communication is more restricted than it would be online (in my opinion) as when learning online we are typically in our own environment without any muffled communication with masks. I also think that assessments in lieu of the exam are the way forward to replace the traditional exam format. It is old fashioned and outdated, as we are expected to submit all coursework electronically, yet we then go back to traditional pen and paper for exams. Having the option to complete traditional exams in halls via laptop (as we are predominantly accustomed to) could be an alternative. Mental/physical health has also been adversely affected by the changes due to the pandemic. So I think we should temporarily be able to have the chance to resit module exams, in which poor health may have caused a lower grade than in normal circumstances. I think this has opened our eyes to the benefits of learning online.

  Our response:

  Thank you for taking the time to share your comments. The issues you express clearly here are felt by others, and in an ideal world we would of course not be having such a debate. I recognize your frustrations, many of us do - and we are doing what we can to learn from the best practices brought to our delivery this year to support better learning in coming years. We are (fingers crossed of course) right at the end of this now, and we will return to a more 'normal' delivery next year but I really do welcome your comments - these debates happen all the time within the university and I will take them on board and raise them when in the appropriate forum.

• REF:66-2104-5112115 - Marking criteria

  Your comment: There is very little consensus across markers in what is expected from an essay. The marks we receive very much depend on luck; that is, who you get marked by. This is unfair and stressful for students.

  Our response:

  Thank you for your comment. Different pieces of work from different modules require different approaches of course, but we have in place a robust moderation system and a good proportion of the essays are at least double marked to ensure consistency between markers. When you get your marks back it is always best to make an appointment with the marker/module leader to talk over the reasons for your mark and where you can improve if possible. I'll pass on your comment to 'learning and teaching' who will take it on board when we discuss and design our marking and moderation

• REF:66-2104-8415315 - Praise for lecturer

  Your comment: Module: PS32020 -Victoria has been awesome on this module. Very engaging and creative with her online presentations and lectures. Shame we haven't been able to get more out of the module as online live engagement has been so limited from students. I really feel for Victoria at the effort she has clearly put in with such a small amount of engagement. Love the topic - kind of wish it was a 2nd year module so the stress of diss wasn't distracting people from the module.

  Our response:

  Thanks for your comment. I will pass on your positive feedback to those concerned. Yes, it's been frustrating not to be together. We are all waiting for that to end. Thanks again.

• REF:66-2102-8850325 - Grade boundaries

  Your comment: I’ve heard from people in other departments that they’re lowering grade boundaries for their final degree mark (ie to 68, 58, 48). Why is this only happening on specific courses and not for everyone? Or is this something still being discussed?

  Our response:

  We have been told that an email regarding this has been sent out to all students. You may find this link useful https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/important-info/living-and-learning-in-aberystwyth-2020-21/students/your-studies/faqs/#is-the-university-following-a-no-detriment-policy 

• REF:66-2101-7502929 - Online learning preference

  Your comment: I am much preferring the online learning, as I feel that it is more interactive, I can learn a lot easier, I feel more confident to contribute and as a mature student who lives a considerable distance away from university, it suits my lifestyle better. Whereas with the F2F learning currently, rooms are organised in a segregated exam hall layout, masks are worn, and it is harder to hear and comfortably concentrate (with wearing masks) and more awkward to interact.

  Our response:

  Many thanks for your positive feedback.

 20/21 Semester 1

• REF:66-2010-391226 - Teaching hours

  Your comment: The amount of teaching this semester is an absolute joke. I only have pre-recorded lectures and I get 2 a week. That's all the teaching I'm getting, 1 recording per module a week and links to youtube videos or free online articles. Is the university really suggesting that 1 30 minute lecture a week is an appropriate amount of teaching? Never has my timetable consisted of just 2 lectures a week. There is no excuse, I'm not even getting any live online lectures, the university is literally providing the minimum teaching that is possible as you can't really go any less than a lecture a week. I'm still paying full 9 grand and getting youtube videos for that?

  Our response:

  I am very sorry to hear about your concerns regarding the contact hours on your course. Unfortunately, I cannot give you a detailed response about your individual circumstances without knowing your year of study and the modules you are studying, your name and your seminar stream, and your workgroups etc. I would be keen to get those details in order to look into this in more detail. The levels of contact hours you report do not chime with the levels of provision which have been planned.

  The University has worked very hard over many months to adapt our campus and activities in light of the global pandemic. Despite the enormous challenges that COVID-19 has posed to all universities, and society as a whole, the University’s aim has been to offer students an experience that is as similar as possible to the high-quality experience we always aim to deliver.

  In the psychology department, the number of teaching contact hours varies from week to week, and depending on the year and module of study, whether you have workshops and tutorials, whether you have coursework etc. Some weeks will have higher contact hours than others, and we do not have a reading week so continue throughout the semester. The level of contact hours also varies depending on coursework and other assignments given to students, so there is sufficient time for these to be completed, and self-directed study should take up the majority of your time, as it should in a ‘normal’ year.

  We appreciate that very many students have shown enormous empathy, understanding and patience for teaching staff in light of the pressures on them, and indeed us all, because of COVID-19.

   

   

• REF:66-2012-9146601 - Excellent lecturer

  Your comment: Module: PS21310 - Catherine O Hanlon the lecturer, is amazing at her job. She teaches in a thorough and understandable manner, with attention to detail. I had a consistent 3rd last yr gaining 45 twice!! This year with Catherine teaching me I obtained a 58!!!! All thanks to Catherine bringing this subject to life for me. Just letting you know :)

  Our response:

  Many thanks for your positive feedback. I will pass on your comments to those concerened who I'm sure will be very grateful.