By Nuria Olive
The Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) survey is open for Semester 1 2023. However, some courses receive low response rates and students are unsure as to whether their survey responses make tangible change.
Observer spoke to an ANU spokesperson about how the survey makes changes across courses.
An ANU Spokesperson has noted that the primary purpose of the SELT survey is to provide students an opportunity to give feedback to their teachers. The survey helps to identify courses that may need improvement, as well as those that are structured well. SELTs can also be used for the appropriate provision of funding “to support changes or new initiatives”.
The spokesperson stated that SELTs are further used for “a range of reporting activities”, including its use “by teachers as part of applications for promotion”.
SELT results from previous years are available on the Programs and Courses webpage for each course. This allows students to see the experience of those who have already studied the course, and how results have changed over time.
Themes covered in a SELT survey include how clear course expectations are, whether the workload is appropriate, if student learning is supported by feedback, and whether the course was a valuable learning experience overall.
One student Observer spoke to remarked, “I normally don’t do them [the surveys] unless I really loved the course or really hated it”.
“I don’t really think they do anything to be honest”, they said.
Another student, Bella*, agreed that their SELT reviews “probably do nothing” but is “glad we get a chance to give honest anonymous feedback”. The student lamented how the content of a course she took this semester- Microeconomics 2 (ECON2101)- was “taught…extremely poorly”.
An ANU spokesperson noted that students can also provide feedback by speaking with a course convenor or teacher. Bella* communicated her concerns with ECON2101 to the course convenor and asked for advice on how to successfully proceed with the course. She was met with the response “thanks for the feedback”.
Bella* hopes that if enough SELT reviews are made that “described the reality” of the course, changes will be implemented, including “the lecturer…actually treat[ing] his students with respect”.
Although some students are concerned their feedback does not achieve much, an ANU spokesperson stated course convenors adopt SELT reviews to “review and improve their course on a regular basis” including through “changing learning outcomes, content, pedagogy, teaching activities and assessment”.
Feedback is also used to assess student experience not only in an individual course, but also in a “degree program, School or College” to identify where “extra teaching resources might make a difference or how class size may affect student experiences across different disciplines”.
The survey was changed from anonymous to confidential in 2021. Teachers are not able to identify which students have submitted responses. However, if a SELT review raises a wellbeing concern, ANU is able to contact them for the purpose of “meet[ing] its obligation to protect the welfare of…students”.
Student responses may also be followed-up where they do not abide by the ANU Student Code of Conduct, for example by making discriminatory or offensive comments.
An ANU Spokesperson referenced some alternative ways for students to provide course feedback, including through class representatives and the College Associate Dean (Education).
The ANU “really want[s]” students to complete the SELT survey for each of their courses.
“They help make our courses better for everyone, so we encourage all students to take part”.
The SELT survey for courses run in Semester 1 closes on June 18.
*Names have been changed for anonymity
Graphics by Will Novak
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