Studying in exceptional circumstances is more burdensome than usual for both students and staff, and new teaching arrangements may be made on a tight schedule. These arrangements are not always a success, so it’s good for students to know what to do in situations like this. First, all course implementations have their own feedback survey, to which a link is emailed to all participants. In the current system, feedback is not compulsory, but the higher the proportion of course participants who respond to the feedback survey, the better the effect the feedback will have. If there is no suitable spot in the feedback questionnaire for some remark, it is worth sending the feedback directly to the person in charge of the course. If you don’t want to give the feedback to the person in charge directly by your own name or the matter does not seem to be progressing otherwise, student representatives are a good channel to take the matter forward. Also, TREY’s educational affairs sector offers help in problem situations.
For example, there are student representatives in degree programme planning groups, which address the development of teaching at the internal level of the degree programme. It is important that the students know who the student representatives in their field are. Subject associations should have the names and contact details of the student representatives easily found, for example, on websites. In addition, it is important that the student representatives communicate their advocacy work to other students so that important work is not left hidden. Some of the student representatives operate on the University’s administrative bodies, such as the Faculty Councils. Halloped is often used as an abbreviation of the student representative. You can read more about student representatives on TREY’s website. As students, we are experts in our own studies and in student affairs in general. Not all things look the same to students and staff, so it is important that we students get our voices heard in the University’s decision-making.
Educational affairs actives from different associations often face similar situations. For this reason, among other things, it is good that educational affairs actives of associations, student representatives, and other people interested in educational affairs also have a chance to talk to each other. The Cup of kopo events organized by TREY is a good example of this. This year’s first Cup of kopo was held this week, and gratifyingly, there were over 50 participants! At the event, we came up with ideas for this year and familiarized oneself with the educational affairs vocabulary.
The exceptional situation has on its part also contributed to the creation of completely new types of teaching solutions, from which lessons can definitely be learned even after the coronavirus period. The good teaching work of teachers must be considered, and it must also be rewarded. That is why TREY is searching for members for the Good Teacher award committee until 7 March. The committee will consider the submitted nominations and make a proposal to TREY’s board about the three teachers to be awarded. The award was first presented last year and is meant to become TREY’s annual tradition.
When you encounter a problem with the arrangement of the studies, please let us know. Take the matter forward to either the course staff or the student representatives. Also, remember to give positive feedback about good teaching so that things that work well can be maintained and further improved. Influence your studies.
– Vili