Personal Examination Feedback Using MP3 Audio

Students’ need and requirements for feedback is an ever-increasing process, reflected in the National Student Survey results (National Student Survey, 2008). Audio feedback for assignments, either as a group or individual has developed in recent years (Merry & Orsmond, 2007; Rotherham, 2008) yet no study of individual examination feedback by audio has been conducted. The use of individual examination feedback amongst final year undergraduate and postgraduate students studying Strategic Marketing and Strategic Marketing Management was conducted between May 2008 and January 2009 as part of a Sounds Good 2 pilot project. Each student received both a personal 2-3 minute MP3 audio feedback commentary on their own examination paper plus a generic Microsoft Word feedback for the entire cohort. All students received an invitation to complete an open-ended questionnaire outlining their perception of the use of the MP3 audio feedback mechanism. Responses from students to this method were positive and it is recommended that the study is expanded to other marketing subject areas and other institutions.