Intermediate Training name of trainer associate trainer | sparqs

sparqs s tudent par ticipation in q uality s cotland. Aim: to improve student engagement in quality enhancement. Over 1430 reps trained last year. 91% found the training useful or very useful. Funded by the Scottish Funding Council since 2003.

Learning outcomes for today  To develop your understanding of what it means to be a rep and the importance of being proactive.  To begin to think about how to make the case for change in your institution.  To develop the skills required for pro-actively seeking student opinion to improve the student learning experience.

Exercise 1- Your experiences Task In groups, discuss the following questions: → What course are you studying? → How long have you been a course rep? → What has your experience been so far? (achievements, challenges, etc)

Exercise 2- Your rep role Task What has been the purpose of a rep in your experience? What tasks have you conducted? What skills have you developed as a rep? How being a class rep has benefited you?

The representative role Purpose To continuously improve the student learning experience in partnership with the institution and student association by helping create solutions to problems. To represent your fellow students’ views and opinions on all matters relating to learning and teaching. To provide both positive and negative feedback to staff. To act as a communication channel between staff and students.

The representative role Tasks Introduce yourself to your class. Gather student opinion. Provide feedback to staff and students. Present student views at meetings. Attend meetings. Speak to people outside of meetings. Develop solutions to issues. Pass issues onto students association. Contribute to institutional activities.

The representative role Skills developed Research. Meeting skills. Networking. Relationship building. Communication. Listening. Reflection. Organisation. Presentation. Report writing. Diplomacy. Negotiation. Time management / prioritisation.

The representative role Benefits to you Make a difference. Networking opportunities. Learn new skills. Background for future representational roles. Good experience for future employment. Looks good on cv.

Why is representation important? Student views Dialogue with staff Improved learning experience YOU ARE THE EXPERT!

The Student Learning Experience

Information sources Minutes from previous meetings. Quality Assurance Agency. Internal reports. Satisfaction surveys. Students’ Association. Other Course Reps.

The A,B,C,D of effective feedback Accurate Balanced Constructive Depersonalised Effective

The Course Rep Cycle Identify the issue Develop & implement the solution Feedback

Exercise 3- Developing an action plan Task In groups take an issue that you think you may be working on over the coming academic year then fill in the template action plan in your workbooks.

The Course Rep Cycle Identify the issue Develop & implement the solution Feedback

Support available to you Your students’ association/institution. Online training resources are available via NUS Scotland, the national representative body, can support you. Visit for more information.

Your future rep career You may be interested in other opportunities, speak to your students’ association/institution for more information. If you’re interested in becoming a sparqs Associate Trainer, more information will be released on the sparqs website late February. For further information contact the sparqs team at or phone

Learning outcomes for today Reflecting on today’s training have you…  Developed your understanding of what it means to be a rep and the importance of being proactive?  Begun to think about how to make the case for change in your institution?  Developed the skills required for pro-actively seeking student opinion to improve the student learning experience?

Thank you for attending Intermediate Training! Please fill in your evaluation forms and hand them in. Name of trainer associate trainer | sparqs