Talking to Students and Staff about the Pulse Check-in Upgrade (Australia, New Zealand, and Asia)

Our July 2024 Pulse update brings you a new and improved student check-in experience. We’re very excited to introduce the new-style Pulse check-in, which includes conversational-style check-ins and reflection questions, backed by a streamlined user interface that lets students personalise their theme and avatar.

What do I need to do?

• Pulse will change over on the 22nd of July for schools in Queensland, Northern Territory, Victoria and Western Australia.
• It will change over on the 29th of July for schools in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, and New Zealand.
• Pulse will change over on the 4th of November for schools in Asia. If you are interested in getting started before then, please reach out to your success manager, who can update this for you

The changes will happen automatically, which means you don’t need to make any changes to your Pulse configuration. However,  you should talk to your staff and student body about the changes before they go live at your school. We’ve prepared some useful videos and guidance to help you get the word out!

Resources for talking to students

Video for all students

We’ve created a video for students that explains how the check-in process works now. It also answers common questions students have about Pulse and the check-in process.

You can share the video through this link.

Tips for talking to senior students

1. Highlight the conversational-style experience
   To help make the check-in feel more interactive, it is now in a conversational-style flow. We’ve heard from students that this method feels natural and familiar, making the check-in more interactive and engaging. 
2. Explain the benefits of deeper reflection on wellbeing through the further reflection questions.
   Pulse will now include a few additional questions, providing students with more opportunities to reflect on their wellbeing. This deeper reflection can help them gain more insight into their own wellbeing. 
3. Talk about the wellbeing insights that will be coming at the end of the term
   Encourage students to check in regularly throughout the term. The more they engage, the richer their wellbeing insight stories will be at the term's end, offering valuable reflections on their progress and areas for improvement.

Tips for talking to junior students

1. Highlight the personalisation aspect
   Students will have the ability to personalise their check-in experience. You could even allow some extra time during the first check-in so students can update their theme and avatar for Willow!
2. Discuss the digging deeper question
   Willow will ask students a question that allows them to dig a little deeper into how they are feeling. This can serve as a great conversation starter, helping them better understand and articulate their underlying emotions.
3. Talk about Willow
   Willow is the wellbeing bot students talk to during their check-in. Willow is there to help guide students through the check-in, and they can select a custom avatar for Willow. Clarify that Willow is a bot and not AI, ensuring students feel comfortable and informed about the process.

Staff

Video for staff

We’ve created a video for staff that explains how the check-in process works now. It shows the check-in process from the student’s perspective and answers questions teachers might have about the process.

You can share the video through this link.

Communications template

We encourage you to use our communications template to tell your staff about the changes to Pulse. We’ve found that this consistent message helps keep staff clear about what’s changing.

There are several exciting updates coming to Pulse in the next week, including a more engaging user interface and the addition of Willow, a friendly bot chaperone, to guide students through their check-ins. Students can now personalise their experience by choosing a colour theme and selecting an avatar for Willow, making the experience more engaging and relevant. At the end of each term, they will receive a wellbeing summary, providing valuable insights from their check-ins to better understand their wellbeing.

These changes will be going live on the [22 July for schools in Queensland, Northern Territory, Victoria and Western Australia//29 July for schools in New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, and New Zealand // 4 November in Asia], please watch this walkthrough video and let me know if you have any questions or feedback.

Questions and Feedback

Your feedback, and the feedback of your school’s staff and student body, is what shapes these improvements. Please contact us if you have any questions or feedback about the new Pulse check-in experience.