LIBF launches new personalised AI learning buddy “Syntea”
A first for higher education in the UK
As the first and, so for only, degree awarding body in the UK with fully integrated AI in its online degree programmes, LIBF confirms launch of AI learning buddy “Syntea”.
As the first and, so for only, degree awarding body in the UK with fully integrated AI in its online degree programmes, LIBF confirms launch of AI learning buddy “Syntea”.
- The AI learning buddy supports students individually in their learning - around the clock, at their personal pace.
- State-of-the-art technology: Syntea - like ChatGPT - works generatively, refining its ability to answer complex questions comprehensively in an academic context.
- Syntea has been developed by LIBF’s sister university, IU International University of Applied Sciences in Germany, and has been tried and tested across 1,000 online courses in the degree progammes that use Syntea.
- LIBF students will benefit from Syntea in all online degree courses.
- In addition, LIBF now offers its students elective courses in artificial intelligence in almost all degree programmes, as an essential key competence for tomorrow's job market.
London, 29, May 2024. LIBF is pioneering the use of fully integrated AI-supported learning on a large scale for its degree students – a first for higher education in the UK – with the launch of Syntea for its online degree programmes.
Syntea, which was specially developed by IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) in Germany – LIBF’s sister university – was introduced for the first time in Germany in November 2022 and has been used successfully by thousands of students at IU. Complementing the academic teaching with more than 35 faculty and study advisors, Syntea presents itself as a truly innovative and valuable learning tool for students.
The integration of Syntea in its online degree programmes means LIBF is not only leading personalised, digital education in the UK – but is able to better prepare students with the necessary technical skills for the future as well as supporting improved outcomes for students during their studies.
"This fully integrated AI-based learning buddy is a step change for higher education in the UK. It allows us to think about learning in a completely new way: students can now ask their individual questions online and receive an answer immediately – no matter where they are and when they are learning. This brings us a big step closer to providing truly personalized learning and helping to better prepare students with the necessary skills for a competitive job market," says Alex Fraser, CEO of LIBF.
Syntea acts as a sophisticated, personalised AI learning assistant that responds to learners' needs and preferences. Syntea provides answers to individually posed questions about the learning material in a matter of seconds, and those answers are checked by teachers within a short period of time. As it proceeds, the AI learning buddy factors in the learning speed of the individual student and adapts to their learning rhythm. In addition, Syntea records the learning progress of the students through questions, enabling them to identify and close their knowledge gaps in a more targeted manner.
"Syntea is one of the first solutions in the world to offer AI-based teaching at a high level and across many degree programmes. This concerns both the underlying generative AI technology and the dialogue-based, natural interaction with Syntea. As a personal learning buddy, Syntea accompanies our students efficiently through their studies and takes their needs into account," says Quintus Stierstorfer, Director Synthetic Teaching at IU, who is largely responsible for the development of Syntea.
In the current Syntea version, the following three functions are available to students at LIBF: Question-Answering (Q&A), Pre-Assessment and Deep Dialogue Learning. More details below:
Q&A: Around-the-clock answers to academic questions
Question-Answering (Q&A) provides students with verified answers to their questions about academic content around the clock in an anonymous and private learning environment, allowing them to learn whenever and wherever they want. In its answers, Syntea provides a link to the corresponding chapter in the online script. Students can thus immediately dive deeper into the topic. In addition, teachers can add further relevant content, for example further links, to the checked answers. Syntea immediately recognises questions from fellow students that have already been asked in a similar way and can directly provide suitable and already verified answers. The AI learning buddy uses natural language processing (NLP) in its answers to understand and use words as humans do.
Pre-assessment: assessing learning progress with video avatar
With pre-assessment, an AI-based assessment mechanism, students can test their level of knowledge at any time and on any topic by answering multiple-choice questions posed by Syntea. Syntea guides students through the questions and answers in the form of a talking avatar. After completing several questions, students can see which ones they answered correctly and which ones they answered incorrectly.
Deep Dialogue Learning: training your understanding and communication skills
The Deep Dialogue Learning Feature gives students the chance to study using the Socratic teaching method . This means that Syntea leads you through the material with open questions and encourages you to critically review your knowledge. Based on your answers, Syntea helps you break down complex information bit by bit. If necessary, Syntea clarifies certain points so that you can discover and correct misconceptions independently. This way, you train both your understanding of the material and your communicative skills.
The next steps for Syntea include rolling out a training feature for exams, which will offer students the ability to systematically prepare for exam questions. They choose which unit they want to practice and Syntea will ask them questions graded ‘easy’, ‘medium’, and ‘hard’. Once they have answered three questions in a row correctly, they progress to the next level. If they answer a question incorrectly, Syntea will explain to them why it was wrong.
In the long term, Syntea is to be developed into a continuous learning support companion – a personalised learning buddy – that actively encourages and motivates students to pursue their learning goals.
LIBF's leading role in digital and AI-enhanced learning
LIBF has been actively leading the way in the use of digital learning tools in its teaching for years. For example, students of its professional qualifications can study online through LIBF’s learning platform, on demand, and take assessments and exams remotely. The inclusion of Syntea in its online degree programmes is another step forward in LIBF’s continuing development of digital learning tools that truly support students’ different learning needs and styles.
LIBF will also offer elective courses in artificial intelligence in almost all degree programmes moving forward. Students will have the opportunity to acquire new, essential skills in order to be prepared for the demands of the future labour market .
Further information on Syntea with clear explanatory videos at: https://www.libf.ac.uk/degrees/studying-with-us/student-support/ai-study-assistant-syntea/
ABOUT LIBF
Since its foundation in 1879, LIBF has been at the forefront of providing world-class education and training. Today, our qualifications equip students round the world with the skills they need for successful careers. It is one of only a few professional bodies in the world to have Taught Degree Awarding Powers and is an innovator in distance learning and online degrees. With a focus on vocational training, LIBF delivers a broad range of qualifications and programmes to support individuals at each stage of their careers – from entry-level to advanced professional qualifications. Further information at: www.libf.ac.uk
Press Contact
LIBF
John Roman, International PR Manager
press@libf.ac.uk
