An AI-driven coach created for students has been recognised among the world’s breakthrough projects in digital education
Mobile phone app Beacon was designed to help students settle into university life.
Beacon was developed to support the experience of all our students and we can already see the positive impacting that it is making.
‘Beacon’, a mobile phone app designed to help students settle into university life at Staffordshire University, has been shortlisted for Breakthrough of the Year in the Digital Education category at Falling Walls Remote 2020.
Beacon provides personalised and responsive information on student timetables, enables contact with personal tutors and provides answers to 400 frequently asked questions covering campus facilities and support services as well as other day-to-day services.
Andrew Proctor, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Digital) at Staffordshire University, explained: “We have a high proportion of commuter and non-traditional students who have additional challenges and responsibilities beyond their studies. As a result, the need for a personalised student experience with on-demand access for help and support 24/7 has grown dramatically.
“Beacon was developed to support the experience of all our students and we can already see the positive impacting that it is making.”
The digital coach goes far beyond traditional reactive ‘FAQ-bot’ approaches by pro-actively engaging with students and starting conversations; making personalised recommendations for societies to join, providing access to wellbeing and mental health support and nudging students towards activities that can help them integrate into university life.
After launching in January 2019 Beacon had an immediate impact, providing 25,000 instant answers and completing more than 5,000 self-service tasks in the first four months.
The Falling Walls conference highlights breakthrough thinking from around the world and received over 900 nominations from 111 countries. Beacon is shortlisted in the Digital Education category and winners will be announced on Falling Walls Day, on November 9.
Andrew added: “To be recognised as a digital innovator alongside breakthrough projects from around the world is a fantastic achievement.
“Artificial Intelligence is a disruptive technology with huge potential that has yet to be realised across higher education. Beacon was the first AI-driven coach for students to launch in Europe and we are committed to continue driving the digital agenda in Staffordshire and beyond.”