40% of students are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with the University’s check-in system following a Check-In Staff and Student Survey conducted in May 2024.
The feedback survey which had 2,163 student responses found that 32% of students are very satisfied or satisfied, 28% are neutral and 40% are very dissatisfied or dissatisfied.
In response to the feedback, York SU Community and Wellbeing Officer, Freddy Russell said: “The feedback is certainly concerning, however it was collected before the changes implemented this year.”
York SU Academic Officer, Fennella Johnson said: “Hopefully students will see an improvement.
“It’s not a Big Brother Check-In. It’s meant to be from a wellbeing perspective.”
The system, which was first introduced in 2023, was implemented to support student wellbeing by proactively identifying and reaching out to students with consistently low levels of engagement.
Check-In requires that all students input a code provided by teachers to check-in to all teaching sessions. This includes all in-person contact hours including lectures, seminars and workshops.
In September 2024, York Vision found through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request that Check-In flagged 31% of students for academic struggles by the end of the 2023-24 academic year.
In a statement posted on the University of York website, the University said: “We’re committed to doing what we can to improve your experience of Check-In.”
The University is responding to staff and student feedback by improving its Check-In system to improve student experience.
This involves improving email content to ensure emails are supportive and helpful to students flagged by the system, incorporating online recordings of lectures into Check-In and integrating Check-In alongside the VLE so that Check-In can use VLE activity to assist with decision-making surrounding wellbeing and engagement.
Other action being taken by the University includes introducing QR codes for Check-In from September 2024, allowing students to view their Check-In attendance and adding Check-In to induction sessions so that students are aware of the system and its function.
The University has acknowledged that there are two areas raised during the feedback where the University cannot make changes.
This involves using Duo Two-factor authentication because it is a security measure and the need to send engagement emails to students who may be struggling. The University understands that there are many reasons students may miss a Check-In milestone however, Check-In emails are necessary to support students’ wellbeing.
A University of York spokesperson said: “We are committed to doing what we can to improve the student experience of Check-In.”