Swinburne Online students have rated their learning experience as good or excellent, according to the results of a recent Student Voice survey.

The survey initiative looked at the overall experience of all online students.

Swinburne Online academic director Sue Kokonis said feedback from the survey was essential to providing students with an optimised online learning experience.

“We launched the Student Voice survey as a way to keep in touch with the needs of our students and to ensure we continue to provide the very best in online study,” Ms Kokonis said.

“With many students rating their learning experience as good or excellent we know we are doing a lot of things right. These survey results give us the opportunity to identify some key areas we can now focus on improving.”

Ms Kokonis said respondents rated as excellent the level of assessment feedback, collaborative sessions and availability of eLearning Advisors and Student Liaison Officers.

“Students also approved of the high level of engagement in available courses, identifying content as interesting and enjoyable,” Ms Kokonis said. “They said the live video/chat sessions incorporated into the units contributed to the high level of engagement.”

However, she said the university still had room for improvement, with students citing the length of weekly readings, activities and assessments, the layout of learning materials and having trouble accessing eText or eBooks requiring greater attention by the university. Students said they also wanted to see more interaction in discussion forums.

As a result of the survey, Swinburne Online will make progressive changes in how they communicate with students, Ms Kokonis said.

“There will be improved access to eBooks, assessment information will be available earlier in the teaching period, and further resources are being developed, along with guidelines for forum participation,” she said.

Students would receive information on how to achieve the best results out of their assignments, including how to properly reference an assignment.

Swinburne Online would also review the layout and structure of learning materials, readings, activities and assessments to ensure a more engaging online experience, Ms Kokonis said.

For more information online study option, click here.

* This article has been written by a Fairfax Media journalist as part of a commercial agreement between Fairfax Media and Swinburne Online.