Case study: The University of Adelaide
The University of Adelaide, South Australia
About:
The University of Adelaide is one of Australia's oldest universities, founded 146 years ago. The institution is a member of the Group of Eight research intensive universities, and prides itself on a long history of - and commitment to - research and education excellence. With students in more than 90 countries, the university has 1300 international students offshore, with 1000 in China. The majority of students are full time, with most students school leavers rather than mature learners. Around 15 percent of students are classified as low SES.
The university's aim is to continue a tradition of excellence and close nexus between education and research, while equipping students with the skills and capabilities they need to make transformational impacts in the wider world.
Why Studiosity?
"The Student Retention and Success Plan 2019-2021 positions Studiosity as a key strategy for achieving student wellbeing and academic progression through targeted support, by ensuring that the specific needs of at-risk (including external) students are met. It is considered transitional support and most suited for commencing students. As the service offers out-of-hours support, Studiosity complements standard working-day academic support services offered at the University of Adelaide (for example, the Maths Learning Centre, the Writing Centre, and faculty first-year drop in centres). It may therefore benefit student cohorts with typically lower on-campus attendance (for example, part-time students and those living far from campus), for whom barriers to accessing existing academic support may exist. Further, as a source of feedback on written English, Studiosity may offer particular benefits for international and other students requiring additional help with English language skills."
Outcomes:
In a 2019 evaluation of Studiosity, researchers found: - Students who engaged with Studiosity had a higher overall average course mark than non-users (74% and 68% respectively). It is not possible to attribute changes in success to Studiosity, as a wide array of potential confounding factors (within the University, in the broader environment and in students’ lives) are not able to be accounted for in the analysis.
- Over 90% of students engaging with Writing Feedback and 80% of students engaging with
Connect Live reported satisfaction with the service. - Overall 91% of post-interaction responses attributed an increased sense of confidence to Studiosity and 95% of post-interaction responses agreed the necessary help had been provided.
- Overall 84% of responses indicated an increased sense of confidence and capability in discipline specific content knowledge and skills. Chemistry received a higher than overall average response for increased confidence.
Student feedback on Studiosity
- Honors student, The University of Adelaide
- Post graduate, The University of Adelaide
- 1st-year undergraduate, Chemistry, The University of Adelaide
- 2nd-year undergraduate, The University of Adelaide