Student feedback ‒ an important part of teaching development in Diak

Last spring, we asked Diak’s first- and third-year students to answer to a teaching feedback survey. We have now reviewed all the results and identified necessary development measures that are listed here in this article. Thank you to all students who gave their feedback!

– We are constantly developing Diak’s teaching and student services. Our students’ feedback is therefore a valuable and significant part of this process. With the received feedback, we are also able to set necessary development measures, says Diak’s Vice Principal and Head of Education, Pirjo Hakala.

The ways of teaching and completing studies will be diversified

In teaching, it is important to consider students’ individual learning needs. Diak received feedback e.g., on group work, methods, and the organisation of teaching.

– We will develop and expand the selection of our teaching methods. Our goal is to reduce group work and increase other ways of completing studies. In organising teaching, it is also important to look at the semesters as a whole and develop study schedules. Now it is also important to think about especially the relationship between face-to-face and e-learning, Hakala says.

The quality of e-learning will be developed

The implementation of studies has increasingly shifted to e-learning, which will be considered in the planning of future study modules. In the future, the development of e-learning will also considerer better students’ social encounters and involvement during teaching.

– Through e-learning implementation, we strive to increase the interactivity of the participants, and our goal is to improve group work. In e-learning, the use of cameras, meeting and involving students, as well as group work and learning tasks need to be better supported, Hakala adds.

The assessment criteria for the courses will be clarified and simplified

Diak received feedback on the presentation of the course evaluation criteria and especially on the use of peer review.

– Our goal is to clarify the assessment criteria for courses to support students’ self-assessment and peer review at different stages of studies. For example, health care teams will jointly review the assessment criteria and agree on how they will be strengthened for the courses, Hakala says.

Supporting career planning and working life cooperation will be developed

The strengthening of alumni activities and co-operation in working life, career guidance and entrepreneurial skills in support of employment will be developed. In addition, efforts will be made to organise working life visits and professional guests.

– Career planning is a key part of studies, and it is important that they face constant development. Career planning measures will therefore be developed from the health sector perspective. In addition, we aim to organise company and other organisation visits for example, Hakala says.

The comfort of the premises will be improved

According to the feedback, the campus facilities in Helsinki are comfortable, but also congested in some places. There is however room for improvement in the comfort of the other campuses. According to Service Director Johanna Lammi, more attention will be paid to the comfort of the premises.

– The feedback will be considered, for example, in the spatial planning of the new campus structure. The services are offered more user-oriented and the goal is to offer students and staff functional, and comfortable facilities, says Lammi.