Training Introductions and Icebreaker Learning Objectives To understand

Training

Introductions and Icebreaker

Learning Objectives To understand your role as a Course Rep and why it is so important To investigate how to be an effective and professional communicator To understand the role of Staff-Student Liaison Committees and the responsibilities of a Course Rep within them To identify the various support mechanisms available throughout the year

Your Full-Time Elected Officers Left to right: Steph Lomas (VP Education) Megan Rea (VP Welfare) Sophie O’Neill (VP Activities) Zuleikha Chikh (President) Email them at yourunion@uclan. ac. uk Follow them on Instagram: @uclansu_officers

Why do we need Course Reps? All students have views and opinions about their course… …as a Course Rep you represent and channel those voices… …so that they are listened to by the University and the Union and acted upon!

The Ideal Course Rep Work in groups to draw the ideal Course Rep Think about what skills/ attributes you need to be an effective Rep

What is expected of you… 1 2 3 Attend Training Gather feedback from your course mates Attend your Student Staff Liaison Committees 4 Report back to students Remember: We love seeing our Course Reps be super engaged but never feel obligated to take on more responsibilities than you can manage.

Feedback Loop Gather feedback from your peers about your course Remember: Try to get some evidence to back up your feedback! Report the outcomes of the meeting back to your course mates Raise the feedback with staff at the most appropriate time – don’t wait for your SSLCs to raise feedback Remember: Don’t be afraid to chase up actions Remember: Work with staff to offer solutions to the issues you are raising

How can I gain feedback from my course peers? How can I evidence issues raised?

What would you do? • Scenario 1: You have noticed students on your course are not happy with assignment feedback they have been receiving. • Scenario 2: Your course peers have mentioned to you that they would like more one-to-one contact time with the lecturer. • Scenario 3: You have noticed on your Facebook group, a lot of students on your course are really struggling and worried about a particular assignment with the deadline in 2 weeks.

Teaching and Learning Student Support “Students “Course Rep reported that students felt they weren’t getting enough lecture time or contact time with lecturers for some modules” had not received emails about arranging an Academic Adviser meeting” Organisation & Management What should I gather feedback on? “A number of students have been mistakenly contacted regarding missed classes by the attendance monitoring team when they had actually been in attendance” Learning Resources “Students reported there aren’t enough books available at the library and that journals are often not accessible without payment” Employability “Students would like a careers advisor that is dedicated to fashion students” Feedback & Assessment “The course reps advised that students were unhappy with the bunching of deadlines”

Resource Hub We put together a handy form to help you gather feedback! You can find the feedback template in our Resource Hub at www. uclansu. co. uk/coursereps This form takes you through the key feedback themes & gives you example questions that you might want to ask your course mates when gathering feedback Remember! These are just prompts, you do not need to answer all the questions; they are there to give you ideas.

Break 5 minutes

Staff-Student Liaison Committees This is one of your opportunities to feedback on behalf of your course peers You must act and present feedback in a professional manner It is your responsibility to attend your SSLC you must send apologies if you can’t attend and submit the feedback you’ve gathered

Making the most of meetings In your groups discuss what tasks you may need to complete to make the most of your staffstudent liaison meetings Before a meeting – Preparation During a meeting – Presentation After a meeting – Feedback

Before, during and after meetings When? Task Before • • Gather feedback from students Consolidate feedback- group together comments into themes Arrive on time Bring notes. During • • Ask questions Get to know other people in the room Discuss feedback on behalf of your cohort- not just of your own experiences Suggest solutions; discuss problems and how to solve them with staff and arrive at a solution. After • Report back to students on your course about what was discussed at the meeting and what actions were agreed Follow up with staff (after an appropriate amount of time) to ensure that actions are being completed Keep in touch with Students’ Union on progress of actions. • •

Support • Academic Representation Co-ordinator coursereps@uclan. ac. uk • University staff – Course Leader, Lecturer, Academic Adviser • Other Course Reps • VP Education sueducation@uclan. ac. uk • Course Rep Resource Hub on SU website • Course Rep Academy Find out more at www. uclansu. co. uk/coursereps

Any Questions?

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