Testing, listening, improving: building the new SOAS Online learning experience

Mark Kerrigan explains how student feedback is helping SOAS to shape its new online learning programmes.

In September, SOAS launches its new online degree provision called SOAS Online. It is a reimagined approach to online learning delivered by a research-intensive global university. The ambition is to deliver an impactful and excellent educational experience for students wherever they are in the world.

Designing a new online learning platform

Many SOAS Online students will already be in employment, and will be looking for a degree with real-world applications, informed by the latest research and thinking, and offering a sense of community rather than isolated learning. This approach has been built into every module and every degree, prioritising student experience, pedagogical theory/practice and learning design.

To support this aim, SOAS have designed a new online learning platform (based on Moodle), introducing new technologies and exploring effective ways of supporting online learning. 

Each module is tested before they go live by a process called user acceptance testing (UAT).

This involves employing SOAS students to test the modules, report their findings and give practical insights before the modules launch later this year. The evidence collected will inform the educational design and help to create the best possible learning experience for SOAS Online students. 

The student testers have navigated the new platform, worked through the learning materials, read the instructions and assessed whether the content and learning journey is clear and intuitive.

Student feedback

The feedback from the testing has provided clear, actionable data that can be used ahead of launch:

'Everything is well structured and easy to follow. The module is broken down into different activities between different weeks, making the module easier to understand.' – Moreom, Thinking Anthropologically module.

'Activities demonstrate good pedagogical variety, moving from video and readings through to discussion forums and applied case studies.'  – Jaisurya, Global Diplomacy: The Art of Negotiation module.

Students' comments have directly lead to changes to the SOAS Online menu, assessment navigation and signposting.

Continuing to listen and improve 

But it does not end there. Student engagement is not a one-off exercise; it is part of a process of continuous improvement, dialogue and partnership. 

SOAS Online is committed to keep listening, learning and refining the study experience to ensure that its online education continues to reflect academic excellence and the needs of its learners. 

Image credit: Kenny Kenneth via Unsplash