Chatbots for Learning Impact on Students and Schools

The benefits will vary, but as with most cloud technology, it scales well to larger numbers of users and, even as pupils go back to colleges and enjoy the traditional fun and learning on campus, there will still be a growing need for bots that deliver help and support, especially if COVID or future impacts linger. Flexibility will be key, as Cambridge noted when it announced remote study until Summer 2021, saying "Lectures will continue to be made available online and it may be possible to host smaller teaching groups in person, as long as this conforms to social distancing requirements. This decision has been taken now to facilitate planning, but as ever, will be reviewed should there be changes to official advice on coronavirus." And digital tools like chatbots will deliver that flexibility as conversations can be updated in minutes to provide new information, or can add new features like in-chat videos or imagery to support lessons, or to highlight changes in campus rules, access, social distancing or more common changes. With many students considering their options, such as deferring, heading straight to work or looking at a safer place to study, colleges can use chatbots to help with retention strategies vital as many colleges face funding cuts or falling numbers.