Dr Chris SpencerDr Chris Spencer

Improving the student experience through the development of strong

cohort identity: the use of social networking

Dr Chris Spencer

• idea born out of dissatisfaction at faculty set cap

• an attempt to increase conversion

• proved far more effective at developing group identity

• a spin off of which maybe improved recruitment

Original motivation….

Dr Chris Spencer

• set up a facebook group– invited all first choice and insurance applicants

• keep fresh with regular updates, information

• was not a huge increase in workload

• clear group identity emerged• students began to take ownership of, and run the site

• now handed over to them to use as the programme site

Process and practice….

Dr Chris Spencer

• significant activity on site and spun off elsewhere

• students said they felt part of a group– ‘UWE felt like home’

• students felt wanted, staff interested in them

• felt like a place that they would be supported– demystified university / lecturers– WP?

• totally different feel to induction!

Impact and feedback...

Dr Chris Spencer

• site set up - members only by invite

• really only works once applications in

• this can not be faked….

• critical mass needed

• need to keep content coming

• some slipped through net, felt left out

Health warnings….

Dr Chris Spencer

• include some current students to answer questions

• developing an alumni site that each year will ‘roll into’– aim to provide a professional network– much more slow burn

Future….