dr chris spencer improving the student experience through the development of strong cohort identity:...
TRANSCRIPT
Dr Chris SpencerDr Chris Spencer
Improving the student experience through the development of strong
cohort identity: the use of social networking
Dr Chris Spencer
• idea born out of dissatisfaction at faculty set cap
• an attempt to increase conversion
• proved far more effective at developing group identity
• a spin off of which maybe improved recruitment
Original motivation….
Dr Chris Spencer
• set up a facebook group– invited all first choice and insurance applicants
• keep fresh with regular updates, information
• was not a huge increase in workload
• clear group identity emerged• students began to take ownership of, and run the site
• now handed over to them to use as the programme site
Process and practice….
Dr Chris Spencer
• significant activity on site and spun off elsewhere
• students said they felt part of a group– ‘UWE felt like home’
• students felt wanted, staff interested in them
• felt like a place that they would be supported– demystified university / lecturers– WP?
• totally different feel to induction!
Impact and feedback...
Dr Chris Spencer
• site set up - members only by invite
• really only works once applications in
• this can not be faked….
• critical mass needed
• need to keep content coming
• some slipped through net, felt left out
Health warnings….
Dr Chris Spencer
• include some current students to answer questions
• developing an alumni site that each year will ‘roll into’– aim to provide a professional network– much more slow burn
Future….