This procedure supports and mandates the implementation of the Student Feedback Survey Campaign (SFSC) includes the Student Feedback Survey – Unit (SFS – U), the Student Feedback Survey – Teacher (SFS – T) and the Student Feedback Survey – Unit Placement (SFS-UP), particularly the key principles associated with the collection, reporting, distribution and actions relevant to student feedback. The purpose of this procedure is to affirm the institutional commitment of obtaining student feedback as a legitimate mechanism in ongoing institutional quality assurance regarding learning and teaching. This procedure details processes that relate to the following: collection of student feedback; the analyses process; the report framework structure; the reporting distributed pattern; closure of the student feedback loop and evidence of action relevant to the student feedback. All student feedback must remain de-identified.
This procedure applies to students enrolled in Higher Education HE by coursework programs and their unit coordinators and teachers.
- Australian Qualifications Framework (Second Edition, January 2013)
- Federation University Australia TAFE Teaching Staff Agreement 2019
- Federation University Australia Union Enterprise Agreement, Academic and General Staff Employees, 2023-2026
- National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011
- Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Act 2011
Term | Definition |
Student Feedback Survey Campaign (SFSC) | A pre-determined schedule formalising the evaluation process within the institution. This schedule is set for the full year. The online feedback tool for collating, analysing and reporting student feedback on their learning and teaching and unit experiences at the institution and its associated providers. |
Associate Dean, Learning and Teaching (ADLT) | The ADLT is a key leadership position located within each Institute and is an important part of the Institute Executive Group. The ADLT is a university staff member who plays an integral role in learning and teaching quality assurance, peer review and professional development of all staff within their Institute. The ADLT works closely with the senior Institute staff across the Institute and the institution. |
Unit | Subsidiary element of a higher education HE course. |
Unit Coordinator (UC) | A university staff member responsible for the delivery, assessment and structure of a unit. This staff member may also teach the unit or delegate this responsibility to another university staff member. |
Unit evaluation | The evaluation process primarily concerned with the unit structure and its associated components. |
Unit Survey Action Plan (USAP) | There are three types of USAP depending on the parameters. These documents provide an opportunity for Unit Coordinators to reflect on student feedback. It forms a crucial part of continuous quality assurance at the unit level for units that have been flagged for improvement. It captures potential challenges and strategies for enhancement. It provides a record as part of scholarship of learning and teaching and should be documented as part of the annual “Your Growth Matters” process. |
Evaluation | The collection of student feedback, analysis process, reporting and interpretation of data to relevant staff and students of the institution regarding the quality of learning and teaching. |
Course | A course of study/research leading to the granting of an official award or qualification of the University contained in Current Course schedule. A course contains subsidiary elements variously referred to as units. |
Course Coordinator (CC) | A university staff member responsible for the oversight of a course. |
Institute Unit Action Summary (IUAS) | A compilation of the recommended actions of the individual Unit Survey Action Plans. This is captured on the ‘dedicated proforma’ (template listed within this procedure) as an overarching summary of the unit continuous improvement strategies. |
Student Feedback Survey - Unit (SFS-U) and Student Feedback Survey Unit Placement (SFS-UP) | A survey that asks students to reflect and provide feedback relevant to the unit structure including meeting learning outcomes, assessment, unit structure and design. There are two sets of specific questions: one for non-placement units and the other for placement units. |
Student Feedback Survey-Teacher (SFS-T) | A survey that asks students to reflect and provide feedback on individual teachers involved with the delivery of a unit. |
Teacher | A university staff member responsible for the actual delivery of a unit. A unit can also be delivered by more than one teacher (i.e. team teaching). |
Teacher evaluation | The evaluation process is primarily concerned with the teacher delivering the unit. |
Activity | Responsibility | Steps | |
A | Review and confirm SFSC survey questions | Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) (PVC, L&T) |
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The SFS provides students with the opportunity to provide both quantitative and qualitative feedback on their satisfaction with their unit delivery and their teacher’s effectiveness in supporting and motivating them to achieve the unit learning outcomes.
The survey questions can be accessed through the Supporting Documents section of this procedure.
Activity | Responsibility | Steps | |
A | Confirm unit delivery and preliminary academic staff planning/delivery alignment |
Manager, Partner Quality and Accreditation Services Fed Services/ Registrar Deputy Deans Institute |
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B | Confirm SFSC | Senior Surveys and Student Data Analyst |
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C | Configure academic staff delivery information in the Student Management System |
Deputy Dean (Institutes) Heads of Discipline (or nominee) |
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D | Request to combine units | ADLT |
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E | Generate survey data file | Senior Surveys and Student Data Analyst |
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F | Validate academic delivery assignment | Senior Surveys and Student Data Analyst |
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G | Develop SFSC Communication Plan |
Senior Survey and Student Data Officer Senior Surveys and Student Data Analyst Partners ADLT |
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H | Test and release SFSC | Senior Survey and Student Data Officer |
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I | Activate the student and staff communication plan to promote the SFSC |
Senior Survey and Student Data Officer Student Communications Officer ADLT Manager, PQ&AS |
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J | Provide weekly campaign updates | Senior Surveys and Student Data Analyst |
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K | Review weekly campaign response rates and identify and initiate further targeted promotional activity where required |
ADLT Manager, PQ&AS |
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L | Close Campaign | Senior Surveys and Student Data Analyst |
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Activity | Responsibility | Steps | |
A | Provide dashboard reports and/or Unit Heat Maps |
Senior Surveys and Student Data Analyst ADLT Heads of Discipline |
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B | Provide Full Unit and Teacher Evaluations including qualitative comments | Senior Surveys and Student Data Analyst |
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C | Sharing student feedback contained in reports |
All staff All partner staff |
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D | Recognition and reward of exemplar performance |
Senior Surveys and Student Data Analyst ADLT |
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E | Quality assurance improvement strategies | ADLTs |
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ACTIVITY | RESPONSIBILITY | STEPS | |
A. | Developing Unit Survey Action Plans (USAP). |
Unit Coordinators Course Coordinators ADLTs Head of Disciplines Co-Operative Placement Team |
The USAP provides an opportunity for unit reflection enhancements for future delivery and supportive conversations and actions with key stakeholders including Institute ADLT, Learning Designers, Course Coordinators, Head of Disciplines and Learning Skills Advisors. The USAP provides an opportunity for unit reflection enhancements for future delivery.
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B. | Developing Institute Unit Action Summary (IUAS) | ADLTs |
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C | Addressing student feedback by completing the “Closing the Loop” section of the Unit Description. This is to be completed for each unit after each delivery. |
Unit Coordinators Note: Where there are changes in Unit Coordinators, the Course Coordinator will ensure the completion of the “Closing the Loop” to meet this quality assurance need. |
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D. | Planning improvements to a unit | Unit Coordinators, Course Coordinators, ADLTs |
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E. | Documenting areas for unit improvement via Your Growth Matters (YGM) | Supervisors/Coordinators |
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F. | Addressing teacher feedback where necessary |
Teacher Supervisor Head of Discipline Partners |
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G. | Reviewing and continuously improving | ADLT |
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Forms
- Combined Unit Request Form (DOCX 65.4kb)
- Institute Unit Action Plan (DOCX 87.5kb)
- Student Feedback Survey (SFS) Questions (DOCX 72.4kb)
- Type 1 - Unit Survey Action Plan (DOCX 88.1kb)
- Type 2 - Unit Survey Action Plan (DOCX 88.0kb)
- Type 3 - Unit Survey Action Plan (DOCX 85.3kb)
- Unit Removal Request Form (DOCX 73.4kb)
- Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) is responsible for monitoring the implementation, outcomes and scheduled review of this procedure.
- Deputy Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching) is responsible for maintaining the content of this procedure as delegated by the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Learning and Teaching).
The Student Feedback Survey (SFS) Procedure will be communicated throughout the University via:
- Specific advice to Partner Providers and Institutes;
- General advice on the University Website;
- Inclusion on the university's Policy Central; and
- Specialised marketing and information materials.
The Student Feedback Survey (SFS) Procedure will be implemented throughout the University via:
- Administration and reporting of the survey via the Survey Team, Data Analysis and Reporting.
- Implementation of the communication plan to engage students.
- Continuous improvement of units and courses through the application of feedback and reflective practice.
- Discussions at Institute and institutional level meetings and with key Institute stakeholders.
Owning organisation units and recipients of survey reports are responsible for the secure storage of survey reports
Title | Location | Responsible Officer | Minimum retention period |
Survey data | Central drive | Coordinator, Student Engagement and Experience Surveys | Destroy 7 years after action completed |
Unit Survey Action Plan |
Institute Drive Submitted to Institute Learning and Teaching Committee or equivalent on a cyclic basis |
ADLT | Destroy two years after organisational use has concluded |
Institute Unit Action Summary |
Institute Drive Submitted to FedUni Learning and Teaching Quality Committee on a cyclic basis |
ADLT | Destroy two years after organisational use has concluded |