New website hopes to shine a light on student surveys

A new site aimed at aiding DCU students to get their opinions heard and their feedback reported back on has just been launched.

DCU researcher Aisling McKenna spoke to the College View about the site and its purpose, claiming that the site is unique in its concept.

“Our students are seemingly constantly being asked to fill out surveys.

“Online and paper surveys [are such examples] - ticking boxes and giving scores on a whole range of aspects of academic and student life,” said McKenna.

She claims that often students have doubts about prizes for taking part in such surveys.

She said: “If you’re lucky, there will be a chance to win an iPod, but who ever wins the iPod - does it even exist? More importantly, what happens to all those surveys when you fill them in and never hear about them again?

“DCU has just launched a website which we hope will finally answer the question about what actually happens all those student surveys you fill in each year.”

The site in question, Your Voice Heard, looks at what has changed around campus in the last year or so as a result of student feedback.

“[Users] can read what you and other students have said in student surveys and read about things the university is doing to improve the student experience as a result of your feedback.

The site also has a function where through your student portal you can provide us with your feedback and suggestions on an ongoing basis.

McKenna says she hopes that the site will help students to “…realise that when they fill out endless surveys their voice is heard, and that it results in real change for the student body.”

“While we can’t fix everything all of the time, we can ask for your opinion, listen and try to come up with solutions which will make the student experience better,” she finished.