Listening and Learning: Reflections on the use of Audio Feedback. An Excellence in Teaching and Learning Note

Abstract

This note reflects on student perceptions of audio feedback made available via the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) for various types of assessment. Consistent with action research the study identifies best practice, and highlights issues in relation to implementation. It utilised four case studies where audio feedback was provided to students using the Wimba voice authoring tool within Blackboard Learn+ for various different types of summative assessment feedback. With increased pressures of larger class sizes and the resultant reduction in tutor–student contact of recent years in business education, the intention was to identify where audio feedback via the VLE is effective and why, which was researched via a student survey. Based on these insights the findings have been disseminated as best practice to other colleagues in the Higher Education (HE) sector, in particular focusing on where it has been most effective in relation to assessment and feedback.