Technological Advancements

Introduction
As higher education evolves, institutions must adapt to the changing needs of their students and the broader world around them. In today’s landscape, technology is playing an increasingly important role in supporting student success and driving institutional growth. Specifically, there are six key technologies and practices that are critical for institutions to tackle: AI, expanded mental health support for students, unified data models for learning analytics, supporting student connection with technology, building data literacy for understanding and using student data, and accessible and inclusive tools and processes. In this article, we will explore how Frequency Foundry’s full lifecycle higher education CRM, greymatter, in partnership with Analytikus, is uniquely positioned to help institutions tackle each of these six areas.

AI
Artificial intelligence is transforming higher education, from admissions and enrollment to retention and student support. Frequency Foundry’s greymatter CRM is uniquely equipped to harness the power of AI, thanks to its partnership with Analytikus.
The solutions embedded into greymatter employ Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to streamline and enhance various facets of the education process, including admissions, retention, personal development, and career planning.
• AI is utilized in Admissions Optimizer, where it calculates the probability of prospect conversions at different stages of the admission funnel, identifies variables that maximize conversion, and determines optimal commercial packages for each prospect segment. Similarly, it aids in optimizing media in campaigns and estimating prospect re-engagement likelihood.
• Foresight uses machine learning models to predict student outcomes, allowing institutions to identify and support students at risk.
• Portrait uses AI to provide a comprehensive view of each student’s learning process, identifying potential opportunities early on and hand-holding the student with the use of a personal virtual assistant.
• In the Career Planner module, AI is employed to offer predictive analytics and data-driven career recommendations for students, empowering them to make informed decisions about their future.
Thus, our AI-driven solutions significantly improve the educational experience and outcomes for students, while providing education institutions with valuable tools to enhance their processes and strategies.

Expanded Mental Health Support for Students
Mental health is a growing concern for students and institutions alike. Fortunately, technology is providing new tools to support student wellness. greymatter and Analytikus offer a range of solutions to help institutions expand mental health support for students. The Foresight tool, for example, uses predictive analytics to identify when students may need intervention, allowing institutions to provide targeted support and prevent mental health crises before they occur. Additionally, Student Portrait offers personalized guidance to students through its virtual pedagogical bot, Emilia. Student Portrait analyzes the texts generated by students, and through a cognitive algorithm evaluates emotional ranges based on the big 5 personality traits, supporting students in a personalized manner. By leveraging technology, institutions can expand mental health support for their students, ensuring that all students have access to the resources and support they need.

Unified Data Models for Learning Analytics

One of the challenges institutions faces is integrating data from multiple sources into a unified view of each student. greymatter and Analytikus offer a comprehensive set of tools to address this challenge. greymatter, for example, integrates data from ERP, SIS, and other sources, providing a comprehensive view of each student, this data is complemented with additional sources such as the LMS on Foresight, generating a holistic view of each student. Furthermore, Student Portrait starts by characterizing how each student learns using a proprietary learning analytics framework. This effort allows Emilia to support the students by improving their learning skills. This unified data model enables institutions to better understand each student’s unique needs and tailor support accordingly, driving student success and institutional growth.

Supporting Student Connection with Technology
In today’s digital age, technology is an essential part of the student experience. Institutions must ensure that their students have access to the resources they need to succeed, including high-quality technology. greymatter and Analytikus help institutions support student connection with technology in a variety of ways:
1. Personalized Learning Experience: By analyzing digital signals from students’ interactions with the learning management system, Student Portrait identifies unique learning patterns. This data-driven approach enables the creation of a personalized learning path for each student, making their interaction with technology more meaningful and productive.
2. Virtual Pedagogical Assistants: The solution features Emilia and Max, two AI-powered virtual assistants that interact with students. Emilia provides personalized guidance based on each student’s learning portrait, while Max sends timely reminders about assignments and due dates. These virtual assistants make technology a more integral part of students’ academic lives, enhancing their engagement and productivity.
3. Interactive Communication: The use of API services and Gen AI-enabled dialogues allows for versatile and interactive communication. This feature not only makes technology more accessible to students but also encourages active engagement, fostering a stronger connection between students and the digital tools they use.
4. Data-Driven Insights: Student Portrait provides comprehensive Power BI reports that offer granular insights into individual students’ learning processes. This feature empowers educators with actionable insights, enabling them to use technology to provide more effective support to their students.
In summary, Student Portrait enhances students’ connection with technology by making it a more personalized, interactive, and supportive part of their learning experience. It transforms technology from a mere tool into an active participant in the learning process, revolutionizing the way students interact with digital learning platforms.

Building Data Literacy for Understanding and Using Student Data

Data literacy is becoming increasingly important in higher education. Institutions must ensure that their staff have the skills and knowledge they need to understand and use student data effectively. greymatter and Analytikus offer a range of tools to support data literacy among institutional staff. The Admissions Optimizer tool, for example, provides comprehensive insights into the admissions process, helping staff make data-driven decisions. Additionally, the Foresight tool offers a suite of reports that enable institutions to monitor progress and make informed decisions based on student data. By building data literacy among staff, institutions can leverage the full power of their student data to drive student success and institutional growth.

Accessible and Inclusive Tools and Processes
Finally, accessibility and inclusivity are critical considerations for institutions. Institutions must ensure that their tools and processes are accessible to all students, regardless of their backgrounds or abilities. To support accessibility and inclusivity, greymatter and Analytikus offer a range of tools and processes that are designed to be usable and accessible to all. The Student Portrait tool, for example, provides personalized guidance to students through its virtual pedagogical bot, Emilia, which is designed to be accessible to all students. Additionally, the Foresight tool offers a suite of reports that are designed to be accessible and understandable to all institutional staff. By prioritizing accessibility and inclusivity in their tools and processes, institutions can ensure that all students have access to the resources they need to succeed.

Conclusion
In conclusion, technology is playing an increasingly important role in supporting student success and driving institutional growth in higher education. Frequency Foundry’s greymatter CRM, in partnership with Analytikus, is uniquely positioned to help institutions tackle the six key technologies and practices that are critical for success in today’s landscape.