The importance of feedback in student-centered teaching development
The event has become an established part of the faculty’s educational development, and its purpose is to ensure that students’ views are systematically taken into account in development work. Before the feedback day, each discipline reviews its own feedback and compiles the key observations from the feedback, as well as the discipline’s own areas for development for the following academic year. In addition to these compilations, faculty-level feedback is discussed during the feedback day.
Antti Rautiainen, Vice Dean of Education at JSBE, and Tuisku Takala, Pedagogical Director of JSBE, also visited the Pörssi’s May Day sauna, where they discussed openly about student feedback. The discussions highlighted the importance of teacher enthusiasm and up-to-date learning materials, as well as the desire for training in more practical workplace skills, such as interpersonal and digital skills. These concrete suggestions were considered also useful at the faculty staff meeting and will be addressed both in educational development work and in the preparation of the new curriculum. Thank you again for the invitation; we look forward to participating in future events where we can discuss feedback and development needs!
Overall, the feedback from the past academic year highlighted several positive observations. In particular, the revamped bachelor’s seminar in Accounting and Corporate Finance has received positive feedback, and a good number of bachelor’s theses have been completed, which has led to smoother progress in studies and faster graduation.
Student feedback has clearly highlighted the need to increase the flexibility of master’s-level studies. Next academic year, this will be addressed through practical measures: in Marketing and Corporate Communication are piloting a model where efforts have been made to schedule in-person classes on specific days, making it easier to balance studies with work or living in another city.
Work on developing the next curriculum will begin next fall, which is why the feedback you’ve provided right now is especially valuable. Every opinion will influence the kind of education JSBE offers in the coming years. Thank you all for your feedback—let’s keep up the great collaboration!
Summary of student feedback
The feedback highlighted several areas where the teaching is perceived as effective and of high quality:
Quality of teaching and teaching methods
Based on course feedback, the teaching has generally received positive reviews, and interactive teaching methods, exercises, and discussions during lectures are considered particularly meaningful. Courses that combine theory with concrete examples and hands-on practice received special praise.
Relevance to the workforce and employment
Teaching is considered relevant to the work life, and graduates generally find employment in their field. According to students, education develops key skills needed in the work life, such as analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
Combining theory and practice
Business case studies, guest lectures, and hands-on courses (e.g., courses with Excel exercises) support learning and increase motivation.
Interaction and guidance
The atmosphere between teachers and students is generally considered to be good. In particular, smaller groups, seminar work, and mentoring relationships enable close interaction, which is highly valued. Goodies are seen as important contributors to student well-being.
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The feedback also identified several areas for improvement:
Teaching methods and assessment
Lectures that rely solely on slides and a single final exam do not always support learning in the best possible way. Students would like to see more continuous assessment, smaller assignments, and verbal feedback in addition to numerical grades.
Up-to-date course materials
Some of the teaching materials are considered outdated. Up-to-date examples, thorough explanations of concepts, and a clear, modern visual style are seen as prerequisites for high-quality teaching.
Flexibility and methods of studies
There is a particular desire for more flexible study methods, hybrid options, and predictable schedules at the master’s level. International students also face challenges when starting their studies.
Feedback and interaction
There is still room for improvement in the number of responses to course feedback and in the counter-feedback provided by teachers. In addition, providing personalized feedback on large courses is considered challenging.
Work life skills
Students would like to see more practical work life skills, particularly digital skills (e.g., Excel, programming, information systems) and interpersonal skills, as well as clearer links to the needs of the work life.
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Based on the feedback, several improvement activities have already been implemented or are currently being planned:
Course feedback and counter-feedback
The process of collecting course feedback is being improved, and efforts are being made to collect feedback more systematically. The counter-feedback teachers provide to students is being strengthened, and feedback is addressed on a course-by-course basis.
Teaching methods and assessment
The use of continuous assessment, small assignments, and more varied methods of assessment will be increased. The integration of theory and practice will be strengthened in the courses.
Flexibility and accessibility
At the master’s level, hybrid and distance learning formats as well as block teaching models are being developed. Support is provided to help international students begin their studies remotely.
Course content and work life skills
Course materials are updated, and current trends are incorporated into teaching. The role of work life skills and digital competencies is being strengthened, in part through collaboration with other faculties.
