The document discusses insights from several conferences on making feedback more engaging. It provides examples of non-traditional feedback approaches such as graffiti walls, video, diaries, drawings, music, and memes. These alternatives may be more fun and engaging for users than traditional written comments. The document also discusses targeting feedback approaches toward different user groups and environments like VLEs, and conducting market research to understand how resources are being used.

1. Making feedback more Engaging -
Insights from late 2012 conferences
m late 22 conferences
Insights from late 2012 conferences
Andrew Bevan
User Support monthly meeting 24th January 2013

2. Context
• Related ideas from three conferences –
– Internet Librarian annual conference in London
• http://www.internet-librarian.com/2011/programme.php
– NCCPE Public Engagement annual conference in Bristol
• http://
www.publicengagement.ac.uk/news-and-events/events/engage-2012-responding-cha
– BUFVC Annual showcase day in London
• http://bufvc.ac.uk/events/getcreative/getcreativepresentations
• Different approaches to engaging with users
– For feedback and as promotion
• Common problem space for all ‘users’ of services
– information overload, tired formats
• Possible relevance for us
– For service testing, project development, etc.

3. Non-traditional approaches from MLA Inspiring Learning*
• National Centre for Research Methods (NCRM)
• http://
www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/morgancentre/realities/toolkits/walking-int
• Realities Toolkit* (Strengths and Considerations of Methods)
• http
://inspiringlearningforall.gov.uk/export/sites/inspiringlearning/resources/repository
strengths_and_we.pdf
• In addition to user observation, focus groups, surveys etc.
• Graffiti Walls (virtual or physical)
– POST IT notes can be used as a colourful, cheap way of getting people
to share comments
• Video – commissioned soundbites (
Radio4 More than Words)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/features/more-than-words/

4. Other non-traditional approaches
• Diaries or 'self' interviews
 respondents to use an audio-recorder to record themselves
• Drawing, other artwork, role-play/acting
• participants conveying their learning experiences creatively
• Music elicitation (favourite songs explained to groups)
• Participatory mapping (mindmaps)
• Participant-produced video
• an appealing alternative to traditional comments cards - may
be more fun/engaging for some users than writing comments
• Photographs/images
• for participants to convey their learning experiences creatively
• with speech bubbles to convey learning experiences to others

5. Memes
• "an idea, behavior or style that spreads from person to
person within a culture.” (Wikipedia)
• From Richard Dawkins' 1976 The Selfish Gene
• “self-replicating unit with potential significance in explaining human
behavior and cultural evolution.”
• “Memes for marketing in libraries? It seems to me to be a
interesting weapon in your toolkit, but like anything if used
too often it can become stale or even cause a backlash for
trying too hard to be hip.” (Aaron Tay)
• http://musingsaboutlibrarianship.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/memes-how-they-are-used-by-
libraries.html
• Competition, quiz or feedback mechanism
• Used with discretion for fixed period

6. Examples

7. Users and their settings
• Environments e.g. VLEs
• Croydon College (mandated elearning lecturers' material on
Moodle)
• Manchester Uni - Best on Blackboard (student-nominated
competition)
• Audiences, Who to engage with?
• All users but teaching staff (and Liaison Librarians) are key
• Finally for us....more market research,
• to understand how lecturers and students are using our resources in
context e.g. which other content they access
• (Spanish lecturer adapting YouTube clips and other open websites)
• From http://bufvc.ac.uk/events/getcreative/getcreativepresentations
• Any other thoughts?

8. Making Surveys more Engaging
From
http:/From/www.visioncritical.com/produ
cts/surFromveys