Transcript Course Rep Training - University of Portsmouth Students' Union

Course Rep Training
UPSU
Presented by Enzo Rossi, VP Education
& Brendan McCarthy, Student Voice
Coordinator
Please take a seat and sign in
Course Rep Training
Learning outcomes for today
 By the end of the session, you will have:
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Shared your experience of representation
Explored your representative role
Had an overview of influences on decision making
within Portsmouth University
Examined approaches to communicating with
different groups
Considered how to engage effectively in meetings
Identified future training / information needs
Course Rep Training
Your experience
 What is your name and previous experience of representation /
society role?
 Quick straw pole:
Who has previously served as a class / course
representative?
Internal / external training?
Participated in UPSU elections/society/etc.?
Any informal training?
Course Rep Training
Your role
Group discussion:
What do you think some of your tasks will be
in representing the student body here?
What do you think you might get out of the
role?
Course Rep Training
Key tasks
 Raising awareness of student engagement and mechanisms for
representation
 Gathering, collating and recording information on current
issues
 Internal liaison
 Presenting and communicating information
 Identifying and agreeing action points
 Taking action
 Feeding back
 Planning and organising events socials?
Course Rep Training
Skills you may use / will develop
Influencing
Negotiation
Flexibility
Facilitation
Facilitation
Coordination
Organising
Problem solving
Sharing ideas
Time
management
Planning
Communicating
Tact / diplomacy
written & verbal
Course Rep Training
Delegating
Critical thinking
Presentation
Meeting
Why student representation is
important
 Quality of learning and teaching
 Students are ideally placed to help staff identify the strengths
and weaknesses of the learning and teaching within the
university
 Students are the experts!
 Enhancement activities
 The university is continually striving to improve the student
learning experience and the mechanisms for representation are
a key part of this process
 System recognised by the Student Voice Policy
ACTIVITY TIME >
Course Rep Training
Gathering Student Opinion
1.
Ask for a couple of minutes at the beginning or end of a lecture
to talk to the students.
2.
Hold a student meeting, allowing people to come give their views.
3.
Send a mass email.
4.
Create a questionnaire, either a paper questionnaire or
an e-questionnaire on a website like surveymonkey.com.
5.
Set up a facebook group for your course.
6.
Informal chats – Meet for a coffee
7.
Put your contact details on notice boards
Course Rep Training
Communicating with staff
 Introduce yourself
 Invest time in developing positive relationships with staff
 Where issues emerge try to address them at school level first
 Be representative – speak on behalf of class reps / students
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Be prepared - plan what you are going to say
 Work in partnership - focus on the common ground
 Be persistent and assertive!
 Praise the positive. Be constructive about the negative.
 Agree a time scale for a response and action plan
Course Rep Training
Attending Meetings
BEFORE:
• Give yourself enough time to read the papers and get advice
• Be Proactive
• Will what they are proposing affect your students?
• Ensure you have done your research.
• Plan what you want to achieve in the meeting and know when to bring it up
• Decide what you want to do for each item
• Agree a plan with the other Reps
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If you think other members of the Committee will support try and get them on board
Course Rep Training
Attending Meetings
DURING:
• Be on time or early
• Sit where the Chair can see you
• Go in to the room remembering you are the equal of everyone round that table
• Your (and the other reps) are also the only people who represent students
• Be firm but not hostile, 90% of the time they will be on your side!
•Deal with your issues one at a time
• Listen to the other side,
• But remember explaining why its difficult to solve your problem is not a solution
•Offer suggestions for ways to solve your problems but be open to new ideas
•Always make sure you know what is going to happen with your issue after the meeting and that its noted in the
minutes
Course Rep Training
Attending Meetings
AFTER (CLOSING THE FEEDBACK LOOP):
• Report back to the students, decide how you are going to do any items raised.
• Make people aware of your wins.
• Check the minutes when they come round, don’t be afraid to ask for
corrections.
• Identify what action you need to take and who you need to talk too.
• Inform the Students’ Union of any developments.
Course Rep Training
Other Representation Activities
 Encourage fellow students to actively participate in
completing end of module evaluation questionnaires
 Assist with programme reviews (Future!)
 Encouraging final year students to participate in
completing the National Students Survey (NSS)
Course Rep Training
National Student Survey
•
The National Student Survey (NSS) is completed by most final year undergraduates. It is
designed to inform prospective students about where and what to study.
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Institutions and students’ unions can also make use of the data to improve the student learning
experience.
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23 questions mostly course related and ask student’s about their experience at university.
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Q23 asks you to rate the Students’ Union.
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The survey is commissioned by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE)
and is run by Ipsos Mori.
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The survey is launched in February until the end of April.
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The survey can be completed online, over the phone or by hand.
ACTIVITY TIME >
Course Rep Training
Course Rep Conference
Wednesday 14th November, 1-5pm
Portland Building
Guest Speakers + 6 Workshops to choose from
&
Free Lunch
Visit
www.upsucourserepconference.eventbrite.co.uk
Course Rep Training
ANY QUESTIONS?
• Please feel free to ask any questions,
• If they are more personal questions please see
the Representation and Democracy Coordinator after the training or arrange a
separate meeting.
Course Rep Training