Abstract
This paper describes the development of a support unit within the Faculty of Engineering and Computing at Coventry University that is designed to enhance the experience of students. The service is staffed by a team of Student Advocates who are trained to work with their peers and assist in the resolution of issues as diverse as academic matters, timetables, finance, accommodation, disabled student support and many others. The Student Advocate role provides a hybrid student/staff view of faculty operations, which serves well for exploring and researching aspects of university life affecting the student experience. The team collects and analyses evidence by conducting surveys and focus groups often at the request of academic staff to enhance course design and development and improve systems and services. The paper presents a review of operations and activities to date and reflects on future directions.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 74-80 |
| Journal | Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2010 |
Bibliographical note
This paper has also been presented at the 2009 NACADA 3rd International Personal Tutoring and Academic Advising Conference: Improving student success. Held April 21-22, 2009. Edge Hill University, Liverpool, UK.The full-text of the extended conference-paper version is available in CURVE at:
http://curve.coventry.ac.uk/open/items/c92564ba-894a-6a0a-8824-f3c118f85149/1/
© I. Glendinning & I. Dunn, 2009. The definitive, peer reviewed and edited version of this article is published in Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning, 12 (1), p.74-80, 2009. http://wpll-journal.metapress.com/content/pjn8m402183415w7/?p=56e6ae34349f403ba107421466baeb7e&pi=5
Keywords
- student experience
- higher education