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Document Sample
Student Feedback Report for Glamlife –
2011/12
Contents
Background ............................................................................................................................................................. 2
Email ....................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Bulk feedback .....................................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.3
Individual feedback ............................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.3
Indirect / implicit feedback .....................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.5
Facebook & Twitter ................................................................................................................................................ 4
"Help make Glamlife better" competition. ............................................................................................................. 6
Suggestions suggesting social life related tools, or Students' Union related content / events integration....... 6
Outcomes ....................................................................................................................................................... 7
Cosmetic suggestions ......................................................................................................................................... 8
Outcomes ....................................................................................................................................................... 9
Navigation / finding things ............................................................................................................................... 10
Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................................... 11
Mobile App suggestions ................................................................................................................................... 12
Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................................... 12
Cloud / storage ................................................................................................................................................. 13
Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................................... 13
Search tool improvement suggestions ............................................................................................................. 13
Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................................... 13
Accessibility comments .................................................................................................................................... 14
Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................................... 14
Customisability ................................................................................................................................................. 14
Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................................... 15
Calendar / Timetable / Exams / Coursework deadline integration .................................................................. 15
Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................................... 15
Personalisation enhancement .......................................................................................................................... 15
Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................................... 16
Staff emails ....................................................................................................................................................... 16
Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................................... 16
Forums tool ...................................................................................................................................................... 17
Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................................... 17
Chat tool ........................................................................................................................................................... 17
Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................................... 17
Number of clicks to get to content................................................................................................................... 17
Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................................... 18
Flatshares ......................................................................................................................................................... 18
Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................................... 18
Timetable general comments .......................................................................................................................... 18
Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................................... 19
Events calendar general ................................................................................................................................... 19
Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................................... 19
Lecture cancellations handling ......................................................................................................................... 19
Outcomes: .................................................................................................................................................... 20
Welsh................................................................................................................................................................ 20
Outcomes: .................................................................................................................................................... 20
Multimedia ....................................................................................................................................................... 20
Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................................... 20
Results improvement ....................................................................................................................................... 20
Outcomes .....................................................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.22
Map .................................................................................................................................................................. 21
Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................................... 21
Misc .................................................................................................................................................................. 21
Outcomes ..................................................................................................................................................... 22
Background
This document collects together feedback themes from July 2011 until end of August 2012. The
report identifies feedback that has been received from students via the feedback tools available on
Glamlife and highlights actions that have been taken as result.
The report is primarily concerned with student comments that were raised by email. However, in
several instances, students used the ability to leave comments on Facebook for feedback purposes.
Email
26 students queried outstanding debts that were being displayed on their Glamlife
homepages. Action: All forwarded to Revenue Unit.
Three students were very unhappy with the online enrolment process. Comments included
seeing enrolment banners after enrolling, complaints about delays, lack of easy phone
contact methods and poor usability. Action: Comments passed on to Online Enrolment team
and faculties for response. One student was asked for clarification.
Three students complained when the "Update your personal details" tool was not working.
Action: Academic Registry were notified. The bug was fixed.
Two students complained that the Glamlife page about cultural differences was patronising /
stereotyping / racist. Action: The article was reviewed and both students received a
response.
Two international students praised the Glamlife Walkthrough guide Screenr. Action: they
were thanked.
Two students struggled to find sufficient information for March starters / post-enrolment.
Action: Their comments were forwarded to HeSaS.
Two students commented on the Glamlife Blog, unhappy that access to email (apps) was
disabled for student email accounts. Action: Their comments were passed on to LCSS-IS,
ultimately leading to changes that resulted in the GlamTech4Students service and the
requested abilities being activated.
Two students complained about FindIt being awkward to get to and bad at displaying
articles. Action: Passed comments on to LCSS / students directed to FindIt.
One user provided feedback about a misspelling on a URL on ccistudents.glam.ac.uk. Action:
Comments were passed on and Channel editors corrected the mistake.
One member of staff praised the team for speediness and helpfulness in assisting him
resolve an issue. Action: No action required.
One student praised the usefulness of a page about referencing. Action: praise was passed
on to the authors of the page.
One student complained about not being enrolled on his modules on Blackboard. Action:
passed his complaint to the faculty, who resolved it.
One student complained that the Campus Map was hard / impossible to find, on the Campus
Maps page. Actions: Liaised with MSR to improve the PDF document on profile.glam (which
was partially upside down due to being optimised for the print room). Updated the links to
the PDF on our page and made those links much more prominent. Responded to student
and sent him a map.
One student complained that there was no phone number for the ATRiuM Health Clinic on
the web. Action: Forwarded to Health Service for response.
One student complained that laptops borrowed from the library won't work in student halls.
Action: Passed on to LCSS for response.
One student requested to be taken out of the Glamlife User list. Action: development
requested and delivered, enabling students to remove themselves from the searchable user
list.
One student requested a quick poll which was rejected by the University. The student
suggested several amended versions, all ultimately rejected by Directorate. The student was
unhappy with the decision. Action: the reasons for the decisions were explained to the
student each time.
One person wrote in to complain about design / colour issued on the Glam Edge website.
Action: The Careers Service sought and received further comments, which were considered.
One student suggested a quick poll about African themed foods. Action: A poll was drafted,
discussed with Campus Services and the student and posted on Glamlife when everyone was
happy with the wording.
One student complained about the restricted number and poor quality of vegetarian food
choices in on-campus catering outlets. Action: comments were passed on to Campus
Services.
One student complained about issues with food in Stilts, and its appropriateness for former
cancer sufferers. Action: Comment was passed on to Campus Services.
One student praised the "Adapting to academic study" page. Action: student was thanked
and his comments passed on to the page author.
One student praised the "Cultural Differences" article. Action: Student was thanked.
One student praised the "Social Networking" article: Action: Student was thanked.
One student complained when the Google Apps (Mail etc) links stopped opening in a new
window. Action: A change was requested and implemented. The student wrote in to thank
the team for being responsive to his request.
One student praised the page about repeating a year of study. Action: Student was thanked
and his comments passed on to the page author.
One student complained about being unable to book PCs through the book-a-PC tool. It
turned out that this functionality was not working for users of off-campus networks. Action:
This was raised with LCSS-IS, who fixed the issue.
One student complained about an incorrect phone number for the German embassy on the
Schengen page of the International Student Support Service channel. Action: ISSS were
informed, checked details (the phone number was correct, but the embassy had closed
down phone lines in favour of online booking sooner than expected) and updated the page.
One person wrote in about an inaccuracy in Glamlife news stories regarding penalties and
prosecutions on Arriva Trains Wales services. Action: The news story was corrected and a
response sent to the person making the comments.
One student complained about incorrect information regarding Cash Office Opening Hours.
Further investigation showed that the information on the page was correct, but incorrect on
an answerphone system. Action: Cash Office informed, responded, and answer phone
messages were changed.
One student suggested a "chat" functionality should be implemented. Action: The
suggestion is being investigated for future developments on Glamlife.
One student complained on Glamlife Marketplace about discomfort related to formal
academic dress used at Graduation Ceremonies, quoting disabilities as an issue. Action:
Equalities Manager was notified and liaised with student and Awards Office.
One student complained about problems with the online results service that had affected
her repeatedly, but not her coursemates. Action: The Faculty was asked to respond to the
student and resolve the problem.
One student suggested that more information should be listed in students' user profiles.
Specifically, their courses and year of study, to enable students to find contemporaries and
senior/junior students on the same course easily. Action: Student was thanked for his
suggestion.
One student was unhappy about having her access to Glamlife blocked and becoming unable
to pay fees online. She alleged that she had received no warning or notification about the
outstanding debt until her account was closed. Action: Student was referred to the Revenue
Unit.
One student suggested a permanent link to the Online Results Service should be added
somewhere on Glamlife. Action: there is now a link to the service on the Results - Frequently
Asked Questions page of the Academic Registry channel.
Glamlife Facebook & Twitter
On 17th April, the Glamlife homepage became unavailable. The same happened on 18th
May. Glamlife communicated via Facebook and Twitter. Students were unhappy about the
disruption at a time when there were many coursework deadlines, and preparations for
exams, under way. Action: The Glamlife Team provided direct links to Blackboard, email,
Findit and other services to students, initially individually, but ultimately posting a list of
useful links. Some students were thankful for this temporary workaround. When the
problem recurred in May, the direct links were dispersed straight away.
During network maintenance in February, there were disruptions to Glamlife, Findit and
Turnitin. Students expressed their displeasure. Action: Where possible they were advised
about how to achieve their objectives despite the disruptions.
Throughout April and May, the online exam papers became unavailable frequently (in
particular on weekends), leading to significant student frustration. Action: Comments were
passed to the IS Customer Support Team.
Four students expressed disappointment about plans to reduce modern foreign language
course provisions at Glamorgan. Action: Comments were passed on to the faculty.
Two students (one on Twitter, one, months later, on Facebook) wanted the Blackboard App
to be available to Glamorgan students. Action: The students were advised that there was no
intention to make the app available due to the cost involved and advised to raise with
course rep if a significant issue
One student thanked Glamlife on Twitter for helping him "pass a degree I'd never thought
I'd do"
One person tweeted about an inaccuracy in information regarding railcards. Action: the
information was updated and the student thanked for the notification.
Two students commented about campus expansion plans on Facebook, suggesting that the
educational provisions of the University are of poor quality and more money should be
spent on teaching than capital investment. Another student was impressed with the plans
for B Block. No action taken.
One student was pleased with the upgrade to internet in halls.
One student offered an alternative opinion about the impact of social media on recruitment,
suggesting any employer undertaking social media screening might be breaking the law.
Action: Student was advised that a sensible approach to social media was still worthwhile, as
the legal situation has not been clarified yet.
One student complained about "today's menus" being out of date. Action: Comment was
passed on to Campus Services.
When Glamlife tried to engage students via Life Through A Lens, it became apparent that its
user list was not plugged in to the student database, and based on a previous year's list,
from dissatisfied comments of freshers. Action: A bug fix was requested and the user list
updated, and freshers were informed about this.
Search term statistics
The Glamlife Team has been looking at search term statistics this year, to optimise content. Here are
some of the results:
While Glamlife pages often have a title that matches the most popular search terms, there
are often popular alternative search phrases. Sometimes, these lead to poor results. Action:
The Glamlife Blog now regularly reports about popular search terms (including alternative
phrases for the same question / user task), and uses those to link to the best possible pages.
This improves the search results for those second or third most popular phrases.
Students were searching for information about the Glamorgan Conference Centre. There
were no suitable results. Action: As this was during an exam period, we concluded they were
looking to find out its location. The Campus Map page was enhanced to include the words
"Glamorgan Conference Centre". As of October 2012, this now is the top result for that
search term.
Students were searc hing for information about induction. The search results were
inadequate. Action: A new page about induction timetables was created.
"Help make Glamlife better" competition.
You can see competition entries and Glamlife Team responses below.
Suggestions suggesting social life related tools, or Students' Union related
content / events integration
Comment Response
Making it clearer and easier to get at certain A new channel has been created for the
information. Also to advertise clubs within the Students' Union. Students can subscribe to
university e.g. Gym Gym Glam these should be the channel, and the SU can post news about
advertised to get more people to join, Welsh clubs and societies as news items there.
speakers and learners in this case.
Students can also use Glamlife Marketplace's
"Notice" tool for social / societies purposes
The Glamlife homepage should contain more A new channel has been created for the
student social life information. Students' Union - this will include the
capability to post news and events and can
include social life information.
Students can also use Glamlife Marketplace's
"Notice" tool for social / societies purposes
Socialize all personality groups of the university The University has no direct input into the
from variety and diverse events , at the moment events scheduled by the Students' Union.
most of the events are around clubs and pubs! However, Glamlife Marketplace's "Notice"
tool can be used by students setting up
societies for different interests / personality
groups.
Maybe you could advertise about events that are A new channel has been created for the
going on in the student union, because I always Students' Union. Students can subscribe to
miss events in the day and night that I would have this - and receive Union news on their
liked to attend but have missed due to poor homepages.
advertising.
A separate development is scheduled to let
students' subscription choices determine
which events they see on the Glamlife
homepages.
A section for users to post their own Actually, that is the intended purpose of the
announcements or write their own news stories "Notice" option in Glamlife Marketplace.
would be good. A lot of people are currently using
the Marketplace section for this, which obviously
isn't its intended purpose.
I suggest that in the website their will be a list of all Sorting the Glamlife user list by countries is
the countries that current students come from. It not currently foreseen, as the development
will a means from students from same country to would be too resource-intensive. Students
communicate and share info. This will be helpful for can, however, attend social events organised
student who travel alone, or come from a small or funded by the International Student
country like me (Malta). That way one would make Support Service (see
acquintance with other persons from same country http://intsupport.glam.ac.uk/openhouseclub/
who are in Glamorgan, and they can themselves for example).
post certain info which may be relevant to their
particular culture, such as food, religion, activities... On the second point, information about
Also, I think some info regarding different religions religious communities and services is
and services would be helpful to those who want to available on http://www.glamfaith.org.uk/, a
attend to services or have sprititual direction, for resource developed by our Chaplaincy.
example in case of roman catholics, times of mass,
churches available and opening times. Thank you
Provide a section of the website where university The University cannot compete with
students in halls can communicate, almost like a Facebook and other social networks.
social network. However, there are some groups and pages
for student halls on Facebook, which may be
useful.
Integrate the student union section into the main A new channel has been created for the
glamlife page, so its less hidden and quicker to get Students' Union. Students will be able to
to. subscribe to this - and receive Union news on
their homepages.
Outcomes:
Creation of the su.glam.ac.uk channel
Feasibility of setting up forums is being discussed
Feasibility of adding more categories to Marketplace (perhaps with a social element) is being
discussed
Cosmetic suggestions
Comment Response (suggested)
Make the 'blackboard' link button more accessible, The Blackboard link is on the homepage of
perhaps near the top of the Glamlife page? the website, and heavily used. This suggests
that it is highly accessible.
Make it simpler. theres too much going on. The comment does not provide sufficient
information for us to suggest a specific
request to web developers.
Make the links to key areas (such as your Email, The links to email and Blackboard are placed
Blackboard, and Connect 2) at the top of the page, prominently on the homepage.
and put the hyperlinks on image files instead of
just text so it is a bigger clickable target. This will There are concerns about bandwidth and
make the Glamlife webpage much easier to use on accessibility that reduce the appeal of
Touchscreen devices, especially on small screen overusing image files. (Image files are slower
smart phones that most students use nowadays. to load, which can make the user experience
on mobile devices poorer)
The University is, however, putting efforts
into making websites (including Glamlife)
responsive to different screen types and
devices, which will include a revamp to make
the web pages easier to use on touchscreen
devices.
motivate students e.g a picture of the previous
years graduation. I would also state the weeks
according to the lecture weeks at the top of the
screen as students loose track on what week there
on and do not know what lecture slides to print out
On the your news tab I would have to sub section
one stating ‘employability’ another stating other
news such as competitions and general news. Or I
would just put the employability news feed The Glamlearn area is heavily used. Moving it
alongside job vacancies as these are related topics I elsewhere would cause temporary confusion,
would put the glamlearn tab also towards the top and it does not seem an urgent requirement
middle of the page only because I found it difficult as users seem to get accustomed easily to its
to navigate during my first 2 weeks or so at location.
university. I would keep important announcements
the same at the top of the screen. The mail box is
kind of confusing any emails already opened a good
idea would be to mark it with a with a tick
The layout of events on the GlamLife Events box on The Events box on the homepage of Glamlife
the front page feels to clutterd. I would re-design will be redeveloped in the near future - with
this box, to allow for today's events to stand out a current hope that the new events
more. functionality will launch by the end of 2012.
We will ask that any event taking place on
the current day should be highlighted in
some way.
I would alter the layout of the pages, and make it The Blackboard link is on the homepage of
easier to navigate, as at the minute there is too the website, and heavily used. This suggests
much going on, and it can be distracting when you that it is highly accessible.
need to access main services such as blackboard.
More clear link pathways. Actual buttons to take There are concerns about bandwidth and
you to places instead of small slightly different accessibility that reduce the appeal of
coloured words in large bodies of text. overusing buttons.
Brighten up the page; the colours are little bit too The colour scheme is significantly more
dull vibrant (friendly?) than on the main
glam.ac.uk site. There are currently no plans
to make it more bright.
Outcomes:
Cosmetic improvements of Glamlife are not currently a priority. We anticipate that the
University’s development resources will be invested in adding to / enhancing functionalities
rather than appearance for the foreseeable future.
For the events redesign, we will pass on the suggestion that current day events could be
highlighted somehow to the University’s web design team.
Navigation / finding things
Comment Response (suggested)
There are plans to make
the Glamlife design
Make the links to key areas (such as your Email, Blackboard, and device responsive, so
Connect 2) at the top of the page, and put the hyperlinks on image files links to key areas receive
instead of just text so it is a bigger clickable target. This will make the high prominence on
Glamlife webpage much easier to use on Touchscreen devices, especially mobile devices and small
on small screen smart phones that most students use nowadays. screens.
The Glamlife team has
created categorised
listing pages for the
I would alter the layout of the pages, and make it easier to navigate, as Directory in order to
at the minute there is too much going on, and it can be distracting when make it easier to
you need to access main services such as blackboard. navigate.
The Glamlife team has
created categorised
listing pages for the
Directory in order to
More clear link pathways. Actual buttons to take you to places instead make it easier to
of small slightly different coloured words in large bodies of text. navigate.
The Glamlife team has
created categorised
Making it clearer and easier to get at certain information. Also to listing pages for the
advertise clubs within the university e.g. Gym Gym Glam these should be Directory in order to
advertised to get more people to join, Welsh speakers and learners in make it easier to
this case. navigate.
Having already taken part in a previous meeting in a past glamlife event The Glamlife team has
in which I met with one of the designers of glamlife to suggest some created categorised
improvements I was disappointed to see very little had changed even listing pages for the
though the designer had agreed with my suggestions. As I had said back Directory in order to
then and as I still maintain the user interface of glamlife needs to be make it easier to
improved to make it more user friendly. Even now I still have no idea navigate.
where the career section is, I have to search for it in the search box
(which I also had to do in the previous meeting). Trying to get to the
"find a database" section takes ages even though I use it everyday.
Therefore, my proposition is that students should be able to customise
their glamlife homepage. Have the things that are essential un-
adjustable such as important updates but let the user create easy short
cuts to the things they use the most.
The Glamlife team has
- Make it easier to navigate - Clearer essential links such as timetables, created categorised
blackboard etc - Keep the calendar more up to date in the left bar with listing pages for the
events - Create an app for iPhone/Android for access on the go - Be able Directory in order to
to have Glam emails pushed to mobile phones, can't be done currently make it easier to
due to security restrictions however staff can navigate.
I would make it easier to find certain things within the site, I was told to The Glamlife team has
take a look at the financial page for help, and I could not find it. Better created categorised
headings and sections would help the site to be easier for use in day to listing pages for the
day student life when using the site. Directory in order to
make it easier to
navigate.
We've also started
blogging about the most
popular searched for
information, to improve
our search results and
make things easier to
find.
Outcomes:
A set of pages dividing the Glamlife Directory into categories has been prepared.
During the annual content review, the headings used on each page will be reconsidered to
see if they can be improved for search engine optimisation.
The Glamlife Blog is now also being used to highlight information that students are searching
for. It is hoped this will improve the results produced by the search engine, and highlight
topical information during term. In some cases, new pages are added, or existing pages
changed, to ensure that the information students are looking for is easier to find.
Mobile App suggestions
Comment Response (suggested)
- Make it easier to navigate - Clearer essential links such as timetables, Your suggestion has
blackboard etc - Keep the calendar more up to date in the left bar with been passed to the App
events - Create an app for iPhone/Android for access on the go - Be able Developers for
to have Glam emails pushed to mobile phones, can't be done currently consideration.
due to security restrictions however staff can
Create a free app to make it more accessible for students on the go. Your suggestion has
Then students can also receive an instant notification on their phone if a been passed to the App
class is cancelled or the university is closed because of snow etc. I think Developers for
they are called push notifications on the iPhone. Would be really useful, consideration.
especially for those who have to travel to university.
Your suggestion has
been passed to the App
Would be to make a mobile/tablet app, which can display emails, latest Developers for
news and easy access to blackboard consideration.
An iPhone, Android, any smart handheld OS app that is capable of giving Your suggestion has
us on the go information about our timetable, immediate access to our been passed to the App
blackboard, immediate access to the main glamlife features that Developers for
students use everyday. This can and possible will increase usage of consideration.
Glamlife if implimented, and will allow students to quickly access
information if access to a computer is unavailable. I know this has been
in the recent pole, but It's the idea I have, and I'd LOVE to see it, at the
moment I'm resorting to taking a photo of my timetable and using that
as a point referance on when my lessons are. P.S If you do include a OS
App, a good feature would be a news page splash, and a few interesting
sources of information, even a inspirational quote of the day at the
beginning to keep students morales up in University! Goodluck with a
few suggestions I've handed, but they're all around the same subject,
PLEASE GIVE US A OS APP! (:
Outcomes:
An app is currently being developed. All suggestions have been passed on.
Cloud / storage
Comment Response (suggested)
we must use cloud computing to run We will pass on this comment to LCSS for their
our programs online which will help consideration.
students alot
Allowing us to access our files from the We will pass on this suggestion to LCSS and CCI Faculties
network storage through Glamlife for their consideration.
wherever we are. (I'm a CCI student)
The Google Docs facility is effectively that. As Google Docs
A cloud based storage system, that is changing to Google Drive, information about the tool
students can access on all campuses, has been rewritten on Glamlife.
and at home. This would allow us to
transport, and save vital backup copies The functionality will be promoted on the Glamlife
of our work. homepage.
Outcomes:
Comments will be passed to LCSS for consideration
The use of the Google Docs tool as cloud storage facility will be promoted - it is part of the
Key Promotions Strategy.
Search tool improvement suggestions
Comment Response (suggested)
I would make it easier to find certain things within the We aim to use good, descriptive
site, I was told to take a look at the financial page for headings and sections. A search term
help, and I could not find it. Better headings and analysis has taken place and continued
sections would help the site to be easier for use in day to search term optimisation is under way.
day student life when using the site.
Improve the search functionality. e.g. when an advanced We will pass on your comments to LCSS
technology student searches for 'advice shop', they for their consideration. However,
should see the result for the AT advice shop at the top of personalisation of search may not be
the list. The faculty that a student is studying in should easily achievable using the available
be taken in to account when they use the glamlife tools.
search.
Outcomes:
Comments about search personalisation will be passed to LCSS for consideration
The annual content review takes search engine optimisation issues into account.
An additional search tool has been added to the Glamlife Directory, which searches only
within the directory and excludes faculty / channel-specific pages. While this does not
personalise, it removes results that would be inapplicable to the student.
Accessibility comments
Comment Response (suggested)
Please make it talk ie when you show a great It is not feasible to create audio versions of every
story like Philip Gross award winning book artical page or feature.
why not have him speaking? and use sound
affects for say the polls (ie, if you pick top The issue of missing images is being looked into.
answer). BUT MOST OF ALL PLEASE SORT THE
SITE SO DISABLED STUDENTS WHO HAVE TO
USE DIFFERENT COLOUR PREFARANCES CAN SEE
THE PICTURES ETC BECAUSE OUR PAGES ARE SO
BORING......
We will pass on your feedback to the channel
owners for LCSS related channels.
When you hover over different resources, For accessibility reasons, it is a Glamlife Editorial
maybe there should be something that comes policy that links should have alt texts in any case
up to explain what each thing is, like connect2 - where the link text does not provide the full
would be; Booking equipment. All of this isn't so information about the link destination. We will
obvious or user friendly, it was only after going highlight to channel editors that this also means
to this uni for awhile did I realise. any jargon can be clarified in the alt texts.
Outcomes:
LCSS will be asked to make their alt texts for Connect 2 and other systems more descriptive
and explanatory
A suggestion will be passed to DDS and LCSS to create a guide to browser plug-ins that could
read pages aloud
Customisability
Comment Response (suggested)
Having already taken part in a previous meeting A customisable Glamlife home page has always
in a past glamlife event in which I met with one been desired and requested for development.
of the designers of glamlife to suggest some Unfortunately, it is not currently scheduled as
improvements I was disappointed to see very the development resources are too scarce to
little had changed even though the designer had make it a reality.
agreed with my suggestions. As I had said back
then and as I still maintain the user interface of
glamlife needs to be improved to make it more
user friendly. Even now I still have no idea where
the career section is, I have to search for it in the
search box (which I also had to do in the
previous meeting). Trying to get to the "find a
database" section takes ages even though I use it
everyday. Therefore, my proposition is that
students should be able to customise their
glamlife homepage. Have the things that are
essential un-adjustable such as important
updates but let the user create easy short cuts to
the things they use the most.
The comment will be passed on to LCSS for
consideration. However, it is our understanding
Be able to personalise it so your own timetable that the timetabling system does not have an API
is on the homepage, without having to go into it / is not compatible with the systems used by
and everything :) Glamlife.
Outcomes:
Customisability is not scheduled for development due to resource restrictions
Calendar / Timetable / Exams / Coursework deadline integration
Comment Response (suggested)
I would try to improve the "Your Week" section We passed on this comment to the University for
to synchronise with the coursework due dates consideration.
on blackboard for a better and easier view of
what we have to do.
It would be great if Glamlife had a calender on We passed on this comment to the University for
the homepage, where all your exam and lecture consideration.
timetables are incorporated into one single
chart, with probably an overview of the whole
week, It is really a hassle following 5-6 links for
the timetable and looking for assignment
submission dates through blackboard
announcements.
My top suggestion for improving Glamlife would We passed on this comment to the University for
be an integrated timetable system linked to consideration.
people's accounts so that there is no need to
root through several other pages to check what
you have on that week!
Outcomes:
Comments have been passed on.
Personalisation enhancement
Comment Response (suggested)
Improve the search functionality. e.g. when an We will pass on your comments to LCSS for their
advanced technology student searches for consideration. However, personalisation of search
'advice shop', they should see the result for may not be easily achievable using the available
the AT advice shop at the top of the list. The tools.
faculty that a student is studying in should be
taken in to account when they use the
glamlife search.
glamlife should be personalised to the course The Glamlife team will continue to promote the
you are doing, a lot of the information on the personalisation agenda of student portal
site isn't relevant so if it was just for your developments.
course it would be better
I feel an improvement for Glam life page could The Careers Service maintains a variety of pages
possibly be a section of job vacancies that are containing useful links for each course - with
available in our section of study, for example, specialist job listings services linked to from there.
if studying health and social care jobs
available in the social care sector. http://careers.glam.ac.uk/usefullinks/occupational/
Outcomes:
A Glam Edge news item about useful links for your course will be posted in the next
academic year.
Staff emails
Comment Response (suggested)
It would be nice to see the staff who work at Staff can choose whether to have a photo on
glamlife i.e. some pics of them on glamlife in the their public profiles. A list of people working on
office or at their desk. I have emailed glamlife the central Glamlife team can be found here:
and have had emails back, but have wondered http://glamlife.glam.ac.uk/pages/3017-student-
who I am corresponding with and also to see services#heading_toc_j_4
who are the people that make glamlife so
interesting and enjoyable.
This is available via staff.glam.ac.uk.
As result of this feedback, we have made the link
more prominent on the existing Glamlife
Directory page
making access to ur lecture and seminar staff (http://glamlife.glam.ac.uk/pages/3114-staff-of-
emails for each of ur modules, this is not always the-university-of-glamorgan), embedded a
available on black board, its is important that search box on the same page, and added it to
students can contact this infomation so i would the Directory Highlights.
make a page for all ur staff details with times
and dates of when they are available, even for We will consider promoting this page to make
new tutors. more people aware of it.
This is available via staff.glam.ac.uk.
As result of this feedback, we have made the link
more prominent on the existing Glamlife
Directory page
(http://glamlife.glam.ac.uk/pages/3114-staff-of-
the-university-of-glamorgan), embedded a
search box on the same page, and added it to
the Directory Highlights.
Make an easier way of finding out ways of
contacting lecturer, eg: email addresses or We will consider promoting this page to make
phone numbers (for emergencies) more people aware of it.
Outcomes:
The staff search functionality has been made more prominent on a Glamlife Directory page
The "Directory Insights" box on the home page now includes a link to the staff directory
information page.
Forums tool
Comment Response (suggested)
The student halls team offer a Facebook public
profile, and students tend to organise their own
groups on Facebook.
Provide a section of the website where
university students in halls can communicate, The suggestion is being taken into consideration
almost like a social network. for future developments.
A forum that can enable students in the The suggestion is being taken into consideration
university discuss about the university itself, the for future developments.
campuses, course related topics. This would also
allow students to set up discussions on off-topic
topics such as television shows, music and
current affairs around the world.
A section for users to post their own The suggestion is being taken into consideration
announcements or write their own news stories for future developments.
would be good. A lot of people are currently
using the Marketplace section for this, which
obviously isn't its intended purpose.
Outcomes:
Forums are being considered for potential development and a feasibility study is being
undertaken
Chat tool
Comment Response (suggested)
The student halls team offer a Facebook public
profile, and students tend to organise their own
groups on Facebook.
Provide a section of the website where
university students in halls can communicate, The suggestion is being taken into consideration
almost like a social network. for future developments.
This functionality is available via Google Talk,
which is part of the email accounts.
Have a chat, where you add your friends and if
they are online, you can talk online through The suggestion to enhance this will be taken into
glamlife consideration for future developments.
Outcomes:
The Glamlife Team will consider whether there would be sufficient demand to justify
creating a guide to using Google Talk, or looking into developing a custom chat tool
Number of clicks to get to content
Comment Response (suggested)
Glamlife could be improved my making access to This feedback will be passed on to LCSS for
journal articles much easier. At current you consideration.
need to click on libary, findit then connect to
findit just to access the database before you
even get to the screen to search through any
journal articles you wish to search.
Outcomes:
Comment passed to LCSS for consideration
Flatshares
Comment Response (suggested)
I would take the advertisments for housing out New Marketplace categories for accommodation
of the Marketplace and make a seperate have been requested and developed.
section for them. It blocks up the amount of
adverts on there and it makes it harder to find
specific items to you either want to sell or buy. A
seperate section would also make it easier for
students to find a house that they are looking for
as well.
When a person logs into glamlife, the page This will be taken into consideration for the
shows up with all the links to different areas. promo timetable for relevant times of the year.
The best thing to have on glamlife is a letting
page where students can quickly click on links A content section about living in the private
and forums to find a room with people or sector is currently being prepared for Glamlife.
rooms available in the area. Many students find
it difficult to find a property and have difficulty The Glamorganstudentpad.com website offers
with the understanding with agency fees. advice, a message board etc as described. It is
Especially at this time of year, a space on not part of Glamlife, but linked to from
glamlife home should have an image of a house Accommodation related pages.
with, find your student house her for 2012/13
here!! It should include images of the area and
the average prices with or without bills.
Students such as 1st years who are about to go
into their second year can be on the forum and
ask questions to those who have been through
the letting process
Outcomes:
Further developments to Glamlife Marketplace have been undertaken
A new section about living in private sector accommodation has been made available on the
Glamlife Directory, and promoted at relevant times of the year
Timetable general comments
Comment Response (suggested)
Be able to personalise it so your own timetable The comment will be passed on to LCSS for
is on the homepage, without having to go into it consideration. However, it is our understanding
and everything :) that the timetabling system does not have an API
/ is not compatible with the systems used by
Glamlife.
When we log in to glamlife, have our personal The comment will be passed on to LCSS for
timetable on the glamlife homepage to enable consideration. However, it is our understanding
quick access to check it each morning before uni. that the timetabling system does not have an API
I know from my class friends that reaching the / is not compatible with the systems used by
timetable can be of annoyance to some with its Glamlife.
current path of access. This way each morning it
would be quick and easy to check =)
Outcomes:
Comments will be passed on to LCSS.
Events calendar general
Comment Response (suggested)
- Make it easier to navigate - Clearer essential The Glamlife Events calendar is currently being
links such as timetables, blackboard etc - Keep redeveloped, with an expected launch date of
the calendar more up to date in the left bar late autumn 2012.
with events - Create an app for iPhone/Android
for access on the go - Be able to have Glam
emails pushed to mobile phones, can't be done
currently due to security restrictions however
staff can
The Students' Union now has a Glamlife channel
for those students who wish to subscribe to it.
Maybe you could advertise about events that
are going on in the student union, because I Once the new Events functionality is launched,
always miss events in the day and night that I that means students will be able to see any
would have liked to attend but have missed due events the Union posts on its channel on the
to poor advertising. Glamlife homepage.
Outcomes:
Events calendar developments are under way
Students' Union events calendar will be created and maintained by the SU.
Lecture cancellations handling
Comment Response (suggested)
Create a free app to make it more accessible for The comment has been passed on to the App
students on the go. Then students can also Developers.
receive an instant notification on their phone if
a class is cancelled or the university is closed
because of snow etc. I think they are called push
notifications on the iPhone. Would be really
useful, especially for those who have to travel to
university.
A bulletin feature that denotes all There are a variety of tools available to faculty
lectures/tutorial/seminars that are cancelled or staff to communicate in the case of lecture
have a room ammendment or similar on a cancellations: Blackboard announcements,
calender type view. This should be constantly Glamlife announcements, text messaging
updated throughout the day. services, email. Where cancellation notifications
are not being supplied, students can ask their
course reps to raise this with their faculties.
Outcomes:
The comments will be passed on for consideration
Welsh
Comment Response (suggested)
The Glamlife User list allows people to indicate
their Welsh language abilities, which can be used
Making it clearer and easier to get at certain for social connections.
information. Also to advertise clubs within the
university e.g. Gym Gym Glam these should be Student members of the Gym Gym Glam group
advertised to get more people to join, Welsh can use Glamlife Marketplace Notices to recruit
speakers and learners in this case. members if they so wish.
Efforts to make more Welsh language content
available are being considered and planned. The
To make Glamlife bilingual. Not enough welsh comment has been passed on to the Welsh
language being enforced in the University. Language Officer of the University.
Outcomes:
Making more Welsh language content available is being considered for the future
Multimedia
Comment Response (suggested)
I think it would be interesting to put a Youtube Where the University has sought student
style video section on the front page, with multimedia contributions, there has been a lack
contributions coming from the students, and of submissions by students. Such a development
them either being about the university or about would therefore be unlikely to be of significant
university life. interest or successful.
Outcomes:
It is unlikely there would be sufficient interest in this.
Results improvement
Comment Response (suggested)
There are a number of places for grades to be The Online Results Service should do this.
returned to and where grades are posted seems
to depend upon the lecturer, thus varying from
module to module. Some are on turnitin, some
in the online results section of blackboard and
others simply posted as annuncements or e-
mailed to us. My suggestion is one location for
all results (perhaps like 'online results' is meant
to be?) so that grades do not have to be
searched as they will all be sent to the same
place everytime.
Map
Comment Response (suggested)
An interactive map of the university campuses Campusmap.glam.ac.uk offers some of these
would be useful for first year students. Being functionalities.
able to click on a building to find out any further
information (for example the students union A new map, using overlays on Google Maps, is in
may provide a link to their webpage) or if any development.
events are being held there, or even if any open
lectures are being held there.
Outcomes:
New maps are in development
Misc
Comment Response (suggested)
think its pretty good already, but put in a We will discuss with the Sports Centre whether a
link to the gym to say what classes are on, Glamlife channel would be viable.
what courts are already booked and the
opening times
Student Handbooks in the faculties should cover this,
as well as the Student Charter
(http://academicregistry.glam.ac.uk/studentcharter/).
Links to the charter are now included on various
More information about what to expect pages.
from leacturers and how to complain if
teaching standards fall behind expectations. The new Framework, launched for the 12/13
Not enough information on what students academic year, has been the subject of news items
can expect and an email to all students.
an option that allows your details to be As Glamlife includes sensitive personal information
saved so it saves you from entering them and access to student details and payments systems,
each time. I.e. for a personal computer or its security requirements are high.
laptop you could have the option for
glamlife to save password and student id
but you could choose to decline it at public
computers like in the zone at glyntaff
The Glam Edge channel highlights certain personal
professional development skills regularly. The EDiC
Poviding the useful things like guides for channel, which students can subscribe to, hosts
particular concepts on each week that is content similar to the one suggested (and also in the
helpful for academic studies. Study Skills module on Blackboard)
A suggestion for EDiC to schedule a timed
communications calendar will be passed on to EDiC.
The Key Promotions Strategy also aims to deliver
content in a timed way.
Outcomes:
Sports Centre comment will be passed on with discussion of potential for a channel
development
Student Charter related content will be promoted in the next academic year
Glam Edge will promote personal professional development / non-subject specific skills courses
throughout the year.
