At the heart of our EDTL Approach is the Student. The objective is that while following our pathway of key considerations for preparing your programme and modules for effective remote teaching during Covid19, the student will always be at the core of the decision making process. Therefore, and in line with our EDTL project aim of working with ‘Students as Partners’, student feedback is critical to the success of this approach. There are many varying and institutional specific ways of gathering student feedback, both formal and informal, and ensuring that the student voice is always at the table, and we appreciate this. On the basis that you will consider your own student feedback and questions at a local level, we aim to provide you with resources at a national level which meaningfully engage with the student and their feedback in the context of digital teaching and learning.

1. INDEx survey findings

In Autumn of 2019, third-level students and staff who teach took part in the Irish National Digital Experience (INDEx) Survey. This was managed nationally by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education and coordinated within each HEI in conjunction with their Students’ Unions. The findings of this national survey were released on 7 May 2020 in an online launch. The EDTL team welcome these findings and shared our support and our vision for working with these as part of our project in our May 2020 newsletter and in a webinar on 8 June. The national report is available, where you will find the full report and a summary document.

2. USI student survey, July 2020

Key message from the Union of Students in Ireland:

Promote regular meetings & communication with Class Representatives

The Education Officers within our respective Students’ Unions have appealed for even more communication and regular meetings with class representatives as you work remotely throughout the 2020/2021 academic year. This will enhance the student and staff experience as well as meaningfully inform the relevant Students’ Union work.

3. HE in Isolation vlog series

This vlog series filmed through March & April 2020 hears students and staff in Irish universities describe their experiences of online T&L during COVID-19.

4. Students’ experiences with online learning and exams – Trinity Ability Co_Op

Students discuss their experience of the move to online learning and online assessments during Covid19. These students examine the pros and cons and speak frankly and openly about what worked, and what did not work for them. These students also put forward a set of recommendations for the future in order to enhance the educational experience of digital teaching and learning. We promote inclusive practice and therefore consideration for all your students in preparing your programme is essential.

5. One step back, two steps forward: Learning how to learn online

Vish Gain, EDTL student associate intern and international student at Dublin City University, reflects on the spring pivot ahead of the new academic year.