NZUSA - New Zealand Union of Students' Associations Learner Advisory Panels Providing a national student voice to enhance learning outcomes 1

NZUSA - New Zealand Union of Students' Associations Background The NZUSA Learner Advisory Panels were initiated to address a gap in the information sources available to decision-makers responsible for the tertiary system in Aotearoa New Zealand. While TEOs have some mechanisms for collecting information, there has been no mechanism for aggregating this for contributing to national discussions – or for comparing across TEOs. The project’s intent is to create a responsive framework to enable Government and other agencies access to ‘learner advisory panels’ to assist in the consideration and development of policies and procedures, at timely intervals each year. Shaped appropriately this could deliver an ability to hold a deep two-way exchange of great value to building an effective understanding across matters that affect learners. 2

NZUSA - New Zealand Union of Students' Associations 10 panels each of 20 learners are recruited with panels agreeing to participate in targeted activity utilising Squiz Roadmap, an online discussion tool.Squiz Roadmap The learners are recruited through requests being distributed through students’ associations and through contacts with institutions. The discussion topics are sourced through NZUSA’s relations with government agencies and experts in teaching and learning. They are facilitated by NZUSA staff and by the organisation which has a particular interest in the outcomes of the discussion – to ensure that they are getting the feedback that they require. How they work 3

NZUSA - New Zealand Union of Students' Associations Discussions so far The first was on teaching quality: what students liked and didn’t like – including what they themselves would do differently. The second was on how well students felt they had been prepared for their current programme of study, and also how they felt that they were being prepared during it for their lives post-study. Our third was on the enrolment process and the initial period of study in a programme, how smoothly it goes and what positive and negative impacts it has on students’ success in the programme as a whole. The latter also explored the learners’ experiences with StudyLink and the effectiveness of StudyLink’s communication strategies. 4

NZUSA - New Zealand Union of Students' Associations Key Findings Students want “experts”, who are enthusiastic and engaged, but not necessarily certificated, who listen and are reflective, there is strong correlation with tertiary teaching excellence The information to help students move between secondary and tertiary is poor, concern about marketing/recruitment instead of information There are few opportunities for integrating study and employment and they don’t always work, but students want more - yet what would satisfy them is not complicated Basic organisational set up is highly valued but not always present, students want to know what support systems are in place so they have comfort they can resolve subsequent issues Although few had problems with StudyLink, they all know people who did, significant concerns about privacy as StudyLink seeks to engage with learners through social media 5

NZUSA - New Zealand Union of Students' Associations Next steps External review of the LAP project Expanding the types of learners who are involved – it’s much easier to recruit university students than any other type Connecting the panels into more agencies and other projects which are interested in exploring students’ voices and experiences Linking into other aspects of our emerging work on student voice 6

NZUSA - New Zealand Union of Students' Associations Emerging Issues Students far more interested in discussing their own learning needs than interactions with agencies or policies Students are not well conditioned to taking control over their own learning - they need prompting and encouragement Far more commonality than differences across different types of learners Students are busy and need to see return for their efforts 7