New learning services for communities
AUT’s Te Mātāpuna Library & Learning Services has launched a new learning service to meet the specific needs of two distinct, and rapidly growing student communities.
Ako Atawhai InclusiveLearning supports neurodivergent learners and students who have English as an additional language, a group which includes international and domestic students.
The new service responds to shifts in student communities and aims to promote academic success in ways that work best for students. It extends and complements the assessment support already offered .
Kate Absolum, Learning and Engagement Senior Manager explains: ‘this new kaupapa is an essential part of how we support students. AUT has experienced a steady rise in neurodivergent learners and expects significant growth in international students in the coming years too.’
‘We’re evolving how we work with students to meet their increasingly diverse learning needs. We’re also addressing changes new digital tools have had for students and how they write, learn, and engage with information. While these tools bring exciting opportunities, they also have the potential to widen the digital divide and increase demand for personalised, targeted support.’
Adding Ako Atawhai, Kate says, is about meeting students where they are. ‘We’re offering inclusive support that recognises who students are and how they learn best.’
One-to-one appointments with learning specialists and New to New Zealand workshops are available now. Study sessions and workshops for neurodivergent learners open in week four.
Anna Nelson, Student Inclusion Manager – Disability says she’s excited to see the initiative roll out. ‘This is an important part of ensuring our neurodivergent and international students flourish at university. I know that these services will be welcomed by students.’
University Librarian Kim Tairi agrees. ‘Ako Atawhai Inclusive Learning,’ she says, ‘is about providing learning support that enables students to build their individual kete of knowledge and work out what they need to succeed. It’s about delivering on Knowledge That Works in a student centric way’.