New Zealand Student Success Forum 2024 - a summary

Gathered in Massey University's Auckland campus in their brand new Innovation Complex building, representatives from five of New Zealand's eight universities - as well as a number of Polytechnics and Institutes - came together through their shared connection with Studiosity. The purpose of the day was to explore and pursue student success strategies for New Zealand students. 

“Student success is everyone’s business.”
- Prof Giselle Byrnes, Provost, Massey University

Generously co-hosted by Massey University and Giselle Byrnes, she welcomed everyone and gave some context: 90% of Massey students are over 25 years old. She explained Massey's focus on distance and flexibility, and their new approach aimed at servicing the holistic needs and improving learner success with a specific focus on Māori, Pasifika, and tāngata whaikaha (students with disabilities) - through a partnership between the learner, their whānau, and the university.

Next, Prof Judyth Sachs led the participants in a discussion around what makes an ideal partnership, for both institutions, and third parties. 

Then a series of presentations were given, including a deep-dive into Murdoch University's successful trial of AI-powered feedback with Studiosity, and an excellent session by Martin Carroll in which he explored the role of ethics in developing and using AI. He outlined major ethical issues and the potential implications thereof, and emphasised the importance of having ethical frameworks in place to guide AI's use in higher education settings.

A summary of some of the key data points from the New Zealand Student Wellbeing Survey 2024 was very well received, with attendees flipping through their hard copies and reading along. 

One of the highlights of the day was the 'Student Voices' panel, where four local students shared with the room their experiences of university and getting support. Several key themes emerged from the panel discussion:

• All four students found the transition between high school and university very difficult, particularly the sudden shift in expectations and how to manage them. 
• The support systems offered by universities are contributing factors in helping students adjust to these changes.
• The students felt that Studiosity's support had helped them in various ways, mainly with developing academic writing skills and a better understanding of English when approaching it as a second language.
• Asking for help is key to success at university, so that is an important piece of advice for other students
• The student journey is tied to the confidence to continue, and the right support can give that confidence.

What helps students succeed at university?

The students on the panel agreed that when you seek out support from your institution, you are likely to find some really great options, such as library services and student support groups. One international student did their undergrad degree in the Philippines where academic writing wasn’t as much of "a thing", which made starting university in New Zealand very daunting; with fear over education system differences.

"Having access to Studiosity helped a lot. It helped me to understand and re-learn how I was supposed to write. It shifted my perception of English."

• Always ask for help. Be a serial question asker. You build confidence with it, so keep asking. People want to help.
• Maximise opportunities available to you. Do what works best or you, study is different for everyone, education is not 'one size fits all'
• Don't do what you can to pass, do what you can to learn.
• Check with your lecturer if you don't understand something, go back over your course notes and instructions, and don't worry - you've got this.
  
  

Key takeaways and overall summary

1. An uplifting feeling of community and connection; validating and reaffirming to attendees that they and their institutions are not alone in responding to the challenges of GenAI. 
2. Events of this nature help to avoid silos in the industry.
3. How Studiosity is responding to and developing with GenAI, particularly AI for learning; and how Studiosity's services form part of a solution to the challenges GenAI poses.
4. The value of hearing directly from students about their lived experiences, reinforcing the importance of academic and other support structures in institutions, and offering fresh and diverse perspectives.
   
   

I'm certainly looking forward to more Partner Forums of this nature in coming years. 

Ngā mihi nui.

Ellen Barr is Studiosity's Service Delivery Manager for Writing Feedback. She has been working at Studiosity for 10 years, and is based in Auckland, NZ. In her spare time, Ellen can be found walking an adorable dog and working in the garden.