Coventry University has begun to use artificial intelligence software to support the achievement and mental wellbeing of its students.
It has developed the software with AI firm Symanto to interpret students’ behaviour, enabling its student engagement centre to step in earlier to offer support if needed.
The technology analyses metrics such as attendance, library usage, grades and online learning activity to indicate whether individual students are well engaged with their studies and the university as a whole. It can identify worrying trends and predict trajectories of student engagement.
University staff will continue to contact those they feel may benefit from a discussion and potentially an extra helping hand.
Ian Dunn, provost of Coventry University, said: “We always want our students to know they have our full support and to know that we are more than happy to assist them wherever we can, and this software will hopefully help us to identify students who may need a helping hand but aren’t necessarily actively reaching out for it.
“Our ambition is to take our student engagement services, and therefore the student experience we can offer, to a whole new level using really innovative technology. This system is going to be a fantastic asset for staff and students.
“We’re also hopeful this project will help us to continue developing our efforts to apply an innovative and forward thinking approach to the teaching and learning experience we have on offer.”
The university added that it hopes the can provide a non-invasive method of helping students achieve their full potential, and that it has the potential to be further developed.
Image from iStock, Bulat Silvia
