Regardless of institution, background or course, students were significantly less satisfied about the feedback that they received than their overall learning experience.
NUS has also conducted more detailed research as part of our Student Experience Report, which identifies how long it takes for students to receive feedback and how it useful it was for improving their learning.
Similar levels of dissatisfaction arose in all of the three previous National Student Surveys, showing that the issue is pervasive across the sector. The problem is not simply confined to undergraduates, research, by the Higher Education Academy (HEA), shows postgraduates share similar experiences too.
Feedback Amnesty
The NUS Feedback Amnesty has been a major programme of work running throughout 2008 and continuing in 2009. Using student focus groups, student networks, our website and summer training sessions, it has explored the opinions and experiences of current students around feedback mechanisms.
We have used our findings to compile a briefing on the issue and to identify ten principles on which good practice of feedback should be based. We have also recently launched, HE Focus, which includes contributions from key individuals in the sector who debate the issues around feedback.
Further information:
The Great NUS Feedback Amnesty Briefing paper
HE Focus – Journal on Assessment Feedback