HKU tests Study Thermometer

The University of the Arts in Utrecht (HKU) recently conducted a pilot with the Study Thermometer. This measures how the student is doing in his studies. What about the connection with the study, the contact with fellow students and teachers, the study skills and the study pressure? All factors that can play an important role in the development of stress.

HKU is enthusiastic about the results. "The Study Thermometer shows very concretely how our students are doing. And, more importantly, it also gives the student himself insight into his situation," says Robbert-Jan Schravenhoff, educationalist and teacher of games & interaction. "We regularly see that our students struggle with the progress of their studies and the study pressure, often they don't know what is wrong and what they should do. The Study Thermometer provides a good insight into their situation and provides useful tips and tools. It is then up to the student to get started. He can do this himself or together with others, for example with a tutor. The results of the thermometer are then a good basis for the conversation. We believe that the student should be in charge of this."

HKU is a large organisation with very diverse programmes, from conservatory to game development. Schravenhoff: "Using tools for study career guidance is therefore often difficult because they rarely work for all directions. But we hope that the Study Thermometer can be used for all study programmes, we will try that out in the coming months. In any case, it gives everyone insight into how things are going and what you could do to move forward. With very concrete tips and advice. So I think it's a great tool and we hope that disruptions in the learning process will become clear sooner and that students themselves will sound the alarm or do something with the tips and perhaps talk about it with each other, because that can also help."

The instrument has been adapted on certain points in collaboration with HKU. For example, specific items and tips have been made that are in line with HKU. From March, the Study Thermometer will be used again, this time for the entire HKU.

The Study Thermometer has been developed for online use at universities and universities of applied sciences and can be used at different times in the study career. He gives students feedback and tips on what they can do themselves to, for example, reduce stress and prevent burnout. The instrument is now successfully applied at various colleges and universities.

For educational institutions that want to gain experience with the Study Thermometer, NOA offers an introductory training. If you are interested in this or want to know more about the Study Thermometer, please contact Corine Sonke (c.sonke@noa-vu.nl).