AI learning assistant used for the first time in subsidised continuing education
The IU Academy provides learners with its personalised AI learning buddy, Syntea
Learners at the IU Academy, the continuing education provider of IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU), can now access the personal AI assistant, Syntea. This makes Syntea the first generative AI application in Germany that is available to learners in the field of continuing education - especially in subsidised continuing education - for all continuing education courses. With the introduction of Syntea for the IU Academy, IU is making AI-supported, personalised learning accessible to a broader group of people.
Since October 2023, Syntea has been supporting distance learning students at IU International University of Applied Sciences in more than 1,000 online courses as an AI companion. The approximately 4,000 students currently registered at the IU Academy now also use this online course system and can therefore access Syntea.
Sven Schütt, CEO of IU Group and IU International University of Applied Sciences, emphasises the relevance of AI-supported learning for the continuing education sector: "With the expansion of our AI learning assistant Syntea to IU's continuing education programme, we are taking another step towards our goal of democratising education. Conventional learning methods in continuing education do not always meet the personal needs of learners. For example, this could be people who have not studied for years and have little learning routine or experience with digital learning media. The highly intuitive use of Syntea also empowers these learners so that they can continue their education in a way that suits their personal prior knowledge, needs and learning pace."
The IU Academy's further training programme is aimed at employees who want to develop professionally and personally and prepare for the changing job world of the future. It is also aimed at jobseekers who want to improve their chances in the labour market through subsidised further training. For jobseekers, 100 per cent of the training costs are covered by the employment agency via an education voucher.
Round-the-clock answers and interactive learning
Syntea is optionally available to Academy participants in their course books on the myCampus learning platform. The AI application integrates seamlessly into the learning interface as a speech bubble at the bottom right of the screen. The AI learning assistant is available in almost all of the IU Academy's more than 600 online continuing education courses and offers numerous functions. For example, users can ask Syntea questions about specific course content via the chat function and receive answers based on the content of the IU courses around the clock.
However, IU's self-developed Syntea is more than just a generative AI that uses, among other things, large language models (LLMs). Syntea also acts as a personal avatar that can be controlled via voice functions and uses interactive dialogues and a proactive approach to ensure that learners remain motivated and achieve their learning goals at their own pace and according to their personal needs.
Better internalisation of learning content
Feedback from academy participants who have already been able to use and try out Syntea, reports positive effects on their learning experience:
• Users report that Syntea helps them to answer questions so that the learning content can be better internalised through repeated questions.
• Others report that Syntea responds quickly and provides both concise and detailed answers, and that questions can be asked repeatedly so that answers can be explained more easily.
• Others are positive about the attention they receive through Syntea and that Syntea is also entertaining.
"Academy participants are already benefiting from IU International University of Applied Sciences’ many years of experience with innovative online courses and can currently acquire knowledge in over 600 online courses that will sustainably increase their job opportunities on the labour market. This flexible and personalised offer is further enhanced by the use of our AI learning buddy, Syntea and is particularly beneficial for those who would like additional support with their learning," says Franziska Bader, Director of the IU Academy.
Further information on Syntea can be found at: https://www.iu.de/syntea
About the IU Academy
The IU Academy offers innovative, state-recognised online continuing education at university level. It is part of Germany's largest university, IU International University of Applied Sciences, with over 20 years of experience in digital education. The IU Academy's continuing education courses support jobseekers, employees, people returning to work and career changers on their path to a future-proof job through certified continuing education courses with a focus on the labour market. IU Academy participants learn digitally, regardless of time and place, on a full-time or part-time basis and with personal support from coaches, career advisors and lecturers. Online students can learn and network on site, at any of the IU Academy's nationwide locations with free WiFi and learning areas.
Further information on the IU Academy can be found at: https://www.iu-akademie.de/
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