Student perspectives on their learning and teaching experience - implications for our tertiary sector

Abstract

It is the collective voices of our students here who share with us openly their experiences of being a student in their diverse contexts. Their reflections weave together to give us a snapshot of several important aspects of being a student in 2023-24. Firstly, is the joy they express; and although these are a group of self-selecting students, acknowledging that joy feels important. With students at the heart of the Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework, drawing on the affective as well as the academic experience is important, particularly given what we know about the importance of student belonging when it comes to a positive student experience. Moreover, our students each offer glimpses into their classroom experience where they clearly felt valued, and that they ‘mattered’ (Gravett et al.). Indeed, it is the relational aspect of their student experience that stands out – whether that was with their lecturers, their peers or within the broader support systems within their institutions. We will leave you with the plurality of their voices so you, the reader, can form your own opinions on how our student perspectives resonate with you in your own context.