There has been an exciting change to the way UNE uses the Studiosity service, which has taken effect at the commencement of Trimester 3.
UNE has used Studiosity to provide students with formative feedback on their assessment tasks for several years. Feedback is provided by online tutors, and is available 24/7. UNE uses two different types of Studiosity services
- Writing Feedback, and
- Connect Life (online tutoring)
By far the most commonly used Studiosity service at UNE is Writing Feedback. Previously, this service allowed students to upload draft pieces of assessment and receive feedback on their work within 24 hours.
From Trimester 3, 2024 UNE is using an updated version of the Writing Feedback service, called Writing Feedback+. The Writing Feedback+ service provides the same feedback support to students but uses Artificial Intelligence technology in the creation of the feedback, rather than relying on human tutors. As a result, the feedback is provided within minutes, rather than within 24 hours.
It is important to note that neither the traditional Writing Feedback nor the new Writing Feedback+ services provides students with answers to questions, corrects or changes student work, adjust student voice, or otherwise removes cognitive load from students. Both services provide feedback on structure, language, argument / idea development, spelling, grammar and referencing. It is then up to the student to make changes to their assessment to action the feedback provided.
UNE’s transition to Writing Feedback+ has a range of important advantages for students, including students receiving feedback in real time; and students being able to submit their assessment tasks multiple times for feedback within a shorter time span.
At present, around 10% of UNE students use Studiosity, and a range of promotions are planned for Trimester 3 to encourage students to increase their engagement with the new Writing Feedback+ service. The Studiosity Connect Life (online tutoring) service that is part of UNE’s support offering to students will continue unchanged.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is UNE the only Australian University making this change? – No, the adoption of the Artificial Intelligence technology based Writing Feedback+ service at UNE is aligned with a wider shift towards this service by Studiosity partner universities in the Australian Higher Education system.
- Does Writing Feedback+ re-write student assignments? – No, the type of feedback provided by Writing Feedback+ is the same as the feedback that was provided by the previous Writing Feedback service. Feedback to students relates to structure, language, argument / idea development, spelling, grammar and referencing, and it is up to the student to make changes to their assessment tasks to action the feedback provided.
- Will anything change in mylearn? –there are no mylearn changes. Units where Studiosity is currently available retain this access. Students are able to access Studosity via the same mylearn tiles/links used previously. Units where Studiosity is not currently integrated will also remain unchanged.
- Should staff or students be concerned about data privacy? – No, Writing Feedback+ is a ‘closed system’. Material submitted to Writing Feedback+ is not used for Artificial Intelligence training purposes, and students do not transfer the intellectual property of their work when using Writing Feedback+.
- Is Writing Feedback+ appropriate in units where the use of Artificial Intelligence tools for assessment purposes is specifically prohibited? – Yes, Writing Feedback+ does not write, revise or amend student assignment. It provides the same type of feedback that was previously provided by human tutors in the Writing Feedback service via a technology solution.
- Can Unit Coordinators elect to retain the previous Writing Feedback in their units, rather than switch to Writing Feedback+? – No, it is not possible for individual units to remain on the Writing Feedback service. Where Studiosity services are provided in mylearn, these services have transitioned to Writing Feedback+.
- Can students opt-out of Writing Feedback+? Yes, the Writing Feedback+ service is an optional service for students. Students choosing not to use Writing Feedback+ retain the opportunity to access the Studiosity Connect Life (online tutoring) service, or UNE’s internal Academic Skills Support resources and services.