Unisa’s Shadowmatch student support pilot bears fruit

Currently, Shadowmatch provides a tool supporting Unisa students through their educational journey to ensure that they fulfil their full academic potential, succeed in their courses and graduate in the required minimum time. Shadowmatch is a worksheet application that is used to determine the strength of an individual’s habits. Unisa joined Shadowmatch in 2014 to better understand the habits of students and bridge the gap between student and institution.

In addition to the original Shadowmatch habits and behaviours report, Unisa embarked on a pilot project in April 2020 with service provider Shadowmatch. The measurement of The Shadowmatch career report and Shadowmatch study report is provided to the Unisa student as an added value, at no additional cost to the institution.  These reports are generated by Shadowmatch. The system uses the habits of the student to inform the content of the report. If Unisa would like to continue with this added value in 2021, it would be at an additional cost.

Shadowmatch career report

The world has entered the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Technology and smart systems will quickly and radically change the way we work and do business. Many jobs and careers will either disappear or change to such an extent that people without the necessary skills and knowledge will no longer be able to do the same job. New jobs will emerge, and new opportunities will become careers.

Shadowmatch provides a career report for the future. The Shadowmatch career report is based on the principles of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The career report is sent to the student immediately upon completion of the Shadowmatch worksheet. This is an informative, future-focused report based on the habits of an individual. The career report is rich in video content and animated graphics, and it provides a unique and insightful read, helping the reader to make an informed career decision or to direct a current career into an optimal career. This report is aimed at young students starting a career as well as older students who are considering a career change. It is also aimed at individuals who just need to make small but critical adjustments to their current careers to optimise their career progress and success.

The career report also offers students the functionality of testing possible careers against their habits. This “test your career” questionnaire is available to each student on his or her personal Shadowmatch portal.

Shadowmatch study report

The Shadowmatch study report is rich in content with supportive videos. It is unique to each student, providing the two best study methods based on the student’s unique habits.

We do not all like the same colour, we do not all wear the same shoe size, and even athletes have different running styles. It is, therefore, the responsible position to work with the premise that all students will follow different study methods.

Together with the two unique study methods, the Shadowmatch study report also provides the student with information about their social preference with regard to studying and how to prepare for an emergency exam. It also gives ten tips to take into consideration during studying. The report provides important information for students studying mathematics, calculus, stats and bookkeeping. There is a dedicated section guiding the student on how to optimise distance learning and online studying. The Shadowmatch study report is automatically sent via e-mail to every student upon completion of the Shadowmatch worksheet.

Statistics

Herewith below the statistics with regard to the Shadowmatch completion rate as well as career reports and study reports sent to Unisa students.

The Shadowmatch worksheet invittions were sent in April and in September 2020. In both April and September, new invites were sent to students who have not yet received a Shadowmatch invitation or who have completed Shadowmatch more than 12 months ago. We also sent reminders in April and September. These reminders were sent to students who have received a Shadowmatch worksheet invitation, but they have not to date completed the worksheet.

Keep in mind that a student can only receive a full feedback report, a career report and a study report upon completion of the main Shadowmatch worksheet.

* Submitted by Hanlie Liebenberg, Senior Specialist, Institutional Research