Audio Feedback to Physiotherapy Students for Viva Voce: How Effective is 'the Living Voice'?

Assessment and feedback remains one of the categories that students are least satisfied with within the United Kingdom National Student Survey. The Student Charter promotes the use of various formats of feedback to enhance student learning. This study evaluates the use of audio MP3 as an alternative feedback mechanism to written feedback for physiotherapy students undergoing practical viva voce assessment. In a pilot and larger study, a total of 37 students and 4 tutors were surveyed regarding their views on the use of audio feedback, with response rates of 45 and 100%, respectively. The paper reports qualitative data supporting the use of audio feedback in this context to provide prompt, detailed feedback that clarifies understanding to the students.