Profile:
My name is Ken Curley and I am studying an online Cognitive Behavioral Therapies degree course which I am loving. Online learning has created many invaluable opportunities for individuals like myself who would otherwise not be in a position to attend either a full-time or an on-campus course. Employment demands, life circumstances, or geographical locations are but a few obstacles that online options can overcome. However, new challenges can arise for new students or returning students as they set out on their learning journey, an example of these could be adjusting or readjusting to study life, finding time between work and family life to immerse in the course work and reach full academic potential and goals. Another common issue that I hear echoing throughout many online discussion boards is the difficulty some students have with navigating around the online platform. I would like to run as a university's online officer, to be a soundboard for student issues. Passing on any information that may help or improve the online student experience would be an honor for me.
Key aims:
- Represent online students, so their voices are heard at committee meetings
- I aim to improve the student experience in certain areas, for example [achivable by channeling student challenges to necessary parties]
- I aim to be a champion of enthusiasm and demonstrate appreciation for being on this journey
What I have done:
I have been both an online student rep and also a PALs [Peer Academic Learner Scheme] leader. I have contributed to university committee meetings to offer feedback from a student perspective and comprised a team of fellow students [supported by university staff] that took part in a PALs pilots scheme that offered students support and guidance with signposting specific resources, for example, academic writing or critical think guides within the Enhance Your Learning Toolkit resource.