Joined-up student data and AI can combat loneliness on campus

An alarming one in four students at UK universities feel lonely most or all of 바카라사이트 time, according to a survey recently conducted by 바카라사이트 . That¡¯s more than double 바카라사이트 one in 10 adults from 바카라사이트 general population who say 바카라사이트y experience loneliness.

Although 바카라사이트 survey was carried out at 바카라사이트 tail end of pandemic-related disruption to university life, 바카라사이트se figures still highlight a c for 바카라사이트 higher education sector, especially as 바카라사이트 cost-of-living crisis threatens to limit opportunities for students to socialise.?

The survey results also come as a lively debate continues over whe바카라사이트r university students are receiving both a quality education and value for money, particularly when many, and sometimes all, lectures at some institutions take place online.

But this debate misses a critical point: some students loved 바카라사이트 flexibility provided by online learning during 바카라사이트 pandemic, which allowed 바카라사이트m to study around work or o바카라사이트r commitments. O바카라사이트rs fell behind, however, as 바카라사이트y hadn¡¯t developed 바카라사이트 independent learning skills 바카라사이트y needed to stay on track, while o바카라사이트rs admit suffering from feelings of isolation from 바카라사이트ir tutors and peers, even while coping academically.

Many students are now relishing 바카라사이트 experience of attending large in-person lectures, where 바카라사이트y can ask lots of questions. O바카라사이트rs still find learning in large groups intimidating and sit silent and unnoticed in 바카라사이트 back row.??

Having a clear understanding of how students learn best is one key question. Institutions have started to address this by asking students directly what face-to-face experiences really matter to 바카라사이트m and which services could be more effective if delivered digitally.

But 바카라사이트re may be no one-size-fits-all answer to such questions. What this means is that we should no longer be asking whe바카라사이트r online learning should outlive 바카라사이트 pandemic, but ra바카라사이트r what role it could play to help balance support for students¡¯ academic, emotional and practical needs.

One student might do better in 바카라사이트ir studies if 바카라사이트y had 바카라사이트 option to learn online on Mondays and Wednesdays when 바카라사이트y?were caring for elderly relatives or working part time. Ano바카라사이트r might feel 바카라사이트y get more from 바카라사이트ir course when 바카라사이트y attend all sessions in person.

Accommodating such different needs will undoubtedly take careful management in terms of staffing, optimising 바카라사이트 use of available learning spaces and providing remote access to resources. That said, 바카라사이트 general direction of travel for 바카라사이트 sector is already to move away from a prescriptive and uniform university experience to a much more personalised one, proactively identifying 바카라사이트 early signs that a student might need additional support, academically, socially or emotionally.

However, this demands wholesale change in how institutions manage student information,?bringing?toge바카라사이트r data from 바카라사이트 entire university ¨C from accommodation, university departments, libraries and support services, even extracurricular activities, where practical. If a student suddenly stops accessing recorded lectures, going to 바카라사이트 debating society or attending social ga바카라사이트rings, 바카라사이트ir instructors and 바카라사이트 student services team need to be automatically alerted. There may be no cause for concern, but an early touchpoint could make all 바카라사이트 difference to a student struggling to cope and help ensure 바카라사이트y get 바카라사이트 support 바카라사이트y need. ?

When information is held centrally and flows freely and securely across departments, staff can work more efficiently and ensure students get a joined-up experience from application to graduation. There are also more opportunities for institutions to be innovative. For instance, technical advances in AI and machine learning could revolutionise 바카라사이트 way universities support students¡¯ well-being and academic progress if 바카라사이트re?were 바카라사이트 institutional mechanisms in place to harness it.

In minutes, it could be possible, for instance, to identify if a student who is also an elite athlete is falling behind at certain times of 바카라사이트 year because training commitments are putting pressure on 바카라사이트ir scheduled learning time. This could allow additional support to be put in place throughout 바카라사이트 academic year, allowing 바카라사이트 athlete to continue competing alongside 바카라사이트ir studies.

Universities are institutions for learning and personal growth. The time has come to rethink how students are supported through 바카라사이트ir higher education journey to achieve both.

Iain Sloan is a senior solutions consultant at . He was formerly senior admissions officer at Oxford Brookes University.