Programme Rep Conference 2012
On Wednesday 14 November we hosted the 2012 Programme Rep Conference at
Kedleston Road. All of your elected programme reps from across the University were invited and we were pleased that so many were able to attend. The reps were able to give their input into a wide variety of issues and projects.
Throughout the day there were a number of workshops aimed at getting feedback and input from students on a range of University issues from the timetable system to employability. There were also faculty sessions, where reps could raise any faculty-specific issues that they had. Once again it was the panel debate that proved to be the highlight of the day as the reps could get their questions answered by the University's senior managers, including the Vice Chancellor John Coyne.
Overall the day was a huge success with 126 reps attending and their feedback and questions have already started to be acted upon. We'd like to say a big thank you to those reps that did attend and we hope that you enjoyed the day as much as we did.
Keep an eye out over the next few weeks and months for our 'You Said It, We Did It' webpage and posters to see the changes we've made as a result of the conference; www.derby.ac.uk/YSIWDI. The notes from the panel debate and workshops will be up very soon online at www.derby.ac.uk/reps so be sure that you take a look if you weren't able to attend on the day.
If you have any questions or comments please email us at feedback@derby.ac.uk or contact Dom Anderson from UDSU at vpacademic@udsu.co.uk
» Panel Debate
The Debate took place just like in Parliament with for and against arguments being discussed and questions being posed.
For more information on Panel Debate (pdf file), you can download detailed notes of the session
» Improving employability
With an increasing competitve job market for graduates this session looked at what you can do to improve your employability. The session explored the relationship between the University and the student to gain an understanding of what help is available.
There was a large discussion around the employability attributes that employers are looking for and the types of skills required to be successful.
For more information on Improving employability (pdf file), you can download detailed notes of the session.
» Our environment and you
The University of Derby is committed to creating and sustaining a positive and green environment. Discussions in this session surrounded what students can do to help the environment and the opportunities that are available for students to get involved and experience a taste of environmental work.
For more information on Our environment and you (pdf file), you can download detailed notes on the session.
» What have IT ever done for you?
This session gave the chance for the IT team to feedback on the improvements that they have put in place over the last twelve months and also what they have planned for the future. Questions were asked about what improvements students would still like to see and how they rated the current service.
For more information on What have IT ever done (pdf file), you can download detailed notes of the session.
» The space you learn in
Over the last three years the University has progressively designed, built and evaluated a range of innovative learning and teaching spaces. The work to date has led to high levels of satisfaction from both students and staff as well as noted enhancements to classroom activity and improving the quality of face-to-face delivery. This session offered the opportunity to share these developments and discuss future plans.
For more information on The space you learn in (pdf file), you can download detailed notes of the session.
» Social media for academic skills
Do you think you know about blogs, Twitter and Facebook? This session began by asking this question and went on to show how you can use these social media outlets at University to help you academically. The session also highlighted how you can use them to develop highly sought after employability skills and contacts with employers.
For more information on Social media for academic skills (pdf file), you can download detailed notes on the session.
» What makes a good lecture?
This interactive session explored what makes a good lecture from a student perspective. There was a short 'lecture' that illustrated some of the elements of traditional and non-traditional delivery in a large classroom/lecture theatre based teaching. Students then reflected on their own experiences about 'good' and 'bad' lectures to identify common themes.
For more information on What makes a good lecture (pdf file), you can download detailed notes on the session.
» Roadmap to Success
How can you improve your grades? This session explored what basic information you should know about your course and assignments to help you get a better degree. This highly interactive workshop asked students to suggest improvements on how the University can help you and your fellow students do your very best.
For more information on Roadmap to Success (pdf file), you can download detailed notes on the session.
» Demystifying University - what your SLO network can do for you?
This session introduced and reinforced how the Student Liaison Officer's (SLO's) can help you during your time here. Each faculty has a dedicated SLO and the session gave students the opportunity to let the SLO's know what additional services they would like to received at a local level within the Faculties.
For more information on Demystifying University - SLO network (pdf file), you can download detailed notes on the session.
» Esubmission - why we do it & how it works
Esubmission was introduced across all programmes in September 2012 and this session allowed students the opportunity to see what happens to their work once it has been submitted into the Turnitin system. The session also presented to student the institutional aims of the esubmission project and looked at new features launched during the course of the previous academic year.
The session allowed students the opportunity to voice their general thoughts and feelings about how they process feedback given to them through the system from their lecturers.
For more information on Esubmission - why we do it & how it works (pdf file), you can download detailed notes on the session.
» Sport at the University of Derby
After a fantastic year of sport, this session sought to understand student perceptions of sport at the University and understand the barriers facing students in terms of participation in sport or taking part in an active lifestyle.
There was a detailed presentation on future plans for sport at the University, what currently is on offer and how the team tackles the known barriers to participation.
For more information on Sport at the University of Derby (pdf file), you can download detailed notes on the session.
» Your timetable & how we're improving it
Currently underway are plans to introduce a new timetable system for September 2013. The Timetable Team took the opportunity to showcase the new system to students in an interactive workshop. An overview of the system was presented, allowing students to give their feedback on it.
For more information on Your timetable & how we're improving it (pdf file), you can download detailed notes on the session.
» Being active in education
This session asked the following key questions exploring the basis for students reps; What does it mean to be active in your education? Is being an activist a bad thing? What/who is student representation for?
Drawing upon several key quotes from prominent student movement figures the session examined the core reason for having student reps, as well as discussing the National Demonstration.
For more information about Being active in education (pdf file), you can download detailed notes of the session.
