Cross is a student-driven system that I designed and implemented at Massey University, that enables peer-learning.

After workshops, student and tutor interviews, and observations, I found two problems with our current learning experience at Massey University.

1. Students wanted to learn new skills that were outside of their specific discipline, but didn't know how
2. Even in their later years, some students still relied heavily on tutor feedback and direciton, and lacked in confidence and independance that is needed to smoothly transition into the industry

 

I saw a massive opporunity in the better use of human resource at Massey University, by connecting cross-year and cross-discipline students so that they could learn from eachother. To do this, I tested a range of spaces, events and platforms, and developed these from feedback recieved from students. The most important finding was that students were both really eager to meet and learn from eachother, but needed intial organised interactions to get the ball rolling.

My final outcome was the Cross Committee. I selected and trained a group of students who volunteered their time and skills to connect their cross-year and cross-discipline creative community. I then taught these students how to organise networking events, facilitate the facebook page, and create social work spaces to encourage students to meet new people and learn from one-another. To pass on my knowledge to the committee, I designed three publications which are now online for these students to access, adapt, and add to, so that they too can pass down their knowledge to the new committee they choose and coach at the end of the year.

 

This project has been adopted by the students in the year below me, and is carrying on next year.

The committee is made up of:
(From top left) Nina, Hannah, Valerie, Laura, Marie, Kelsey, Jamie, Sasja, Sammi, Lachie, Hayden, Aaron. (Bottom left) Me, Holly, Caitlin, Katrina, Sarah, Roxanne. 
 

The three user touch points in this system are inherently linked. There is no linear journey as students can first interact with any of the touch points, which will lead them to the other two.

 

At the core of the system lies the Facebook page. This is where 

— events are advertised 

— students become or stay connected to their wider creative community

— students have two-way dialogue with the cross committee to create larger scale changes to the touch points. 

 

Networking events are held strategically throughout the year to break down barriers and create initial connections in a casual, social setting. Here, the cross committee connect students to the Facebook page.

With 354 cross year and discipline members, the Facebook page enables students to ask for, or offer help at any time. Students can request events, workshops, communicate with the committee and connect one-on-one. 

Designated social work areas enable students to bounce ideas, work collaboratively in teams, and sanity check their designs. 

The committee documents changes and findings in the publications (one targeted at tutors, two for the next committee) to pass on their insights to next year’s committee.