Academic writing transformed

The challenge: Academic writing as a roadblock

Students and faculty at Hochschule Neubrandenburg used to face significant hurdles in their academic writing. Many struggled with basic formatting tasks, such as inserting page numbers and sticking to citation guidelines. These challenges were especially daunting for students with limited experience using traditional tools like Word. Faculty often noted that formatting errors detracted from the quality of student submissions, which created additional work for both students and instructors.

The library initially focused on supporting university employees with publication tools, but the focus then shifted to students, as it was apparent they needed the most immediate help. Without a streamlined writing platform, students were being left to navigate complex formatting requirements on their own, often leading to frustration and subpar results.

SciFlow’s platform for clear and professional writing

In 2023, the library introduced SciFlow, a cloud-based academic writing platform designed to simplify the writing process. SciFlow offered a seamless solution.

• Pre-designed templates meant students could focus on their content while SciFlow handled formatting and ensured compliance with academic standards.
• SciFlow’s compatibility with reference tools, including EndNote, made citation management effortless.
• As a browser-based platform, SciFlow allowed students to work from any device, eliminating the need for local installations or USB drives.
• The library provided hands-on training, webinars, and one-on-one sessions to ensure students and faculty could make the most of the platform.
• Accessible PDFs can be uploaded to the institutional repository.

Implementation: A team effort

The rollout of SciFlow was a genuine collaborative effort. The library introduced the platform during a “getting to know SciFlow” session in April 2023, engaging key stakeholders, including the rectorate committee for library affairs. Faculty and department heads quickly saw the potential of SciFlow and began recommending it to their students. The library continues to play a central role in the implementation, offering tailored training sessions and creating additional templates, such as learning diaries. Library staff also provide ongoing support, addressing initial concerns and helping students transition from Word to SciFlow.

The results: Better writing and happier students

The benefits of the SciFlow implementation were not only quick but also far-reaching. Faculty reported a noticeable improvement in the formal quality of student submissions. Formatting errors and citation inconsistencies became a thing of the past, whilst students embraced SciFlow for their term papers and other assignment, not just theses: in fact, many students found the platform so user-friendly that they began using it for all their academic writing.

The library’s role in academic support expanded, with staff providing tailored training and acting as a central point of contact for SciFlow-related queries, and SciFlow’s browser-based platform aligned perfectly with the university’s goals of increasing digital accessibility and reducing reliance on traditional software.