Tutbob

From attendee to speaker... what a difference a year can make! Last year team Tutbob were simply attendees at SOUTHSTART. This year, our CEO Fiona Goodsite was on a panel! We are so proud to have been part of The Inclusive Product Advantage panel alongside the incredible team at Remarkable Tech, Pete Horsley, and the other panelists Zac Bailey and Reuben Jacob. Here is what stuck for us: The Victorian Government invested $51 million in the Ballarat Station Upgrade to improve accessibility. $51 million! 😱 That figure could have been a fraction of the cost if accessibility had been part of the design from day one. This is the problem we keep running into. Retrofitting. Most products are built for the 'ideal' user. But spoiler alert... REAL people have invisible disabilities, cognitive differences, chronic illness, learning diversities and other challenges. When you do not build with a real user in mind, you end up paying for it later. Support tickets, churn, expensive fixes, people who simply cannot use what you made! Fiona's message was simple: even the colours you choose matter. Colour theory is not just aesthetic. For neurodivergent users, colour is a sensory experience. Soft, muted tones (blues, greens, beiges) can reduce sensory overload, while high contrast or bright palettes can cause anxiety and distress. These are not just edge cases. These are your real users. So this is what we are taking away from the panel: treat friction as a signal that your assumptions may be wrong. Inclusive design is not charity or a compliance checkbox. It is simply just better design that benefits everyone! We are so grateful to Zara Fulton, PhD , Pete Horsley and the Remarkable Tech team for making space for this conversation, and to the incredible team at SouthStart for putting it on day 1 where it belongs! Base Yates DANIELLE SEYMOUR Kristian Hedge Jason Neave Here is to building things that actually work for everyone 💙

As the year comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on just how much has changed, and how much possibility the new year holds. I’m excited to share that Tutbob is entering our first raise, as we step into a new chapter of growth, research, and impact. This moment feels especially meaningful as it also marks my first year as an official graduate, moving fully into building Tutbob with intention, focus, and long-term vision. In the year ahead, we’ll begin developing deep-tech AI, training a model designed to understand different cognitive needs, particularly for neurodivergent students. Our goal is to help shape a more transparent, supportive education system, one that recognises how students actually learn and provides institutions with better insight to support them earlier and more effectively. I’m looking forward to conducting meaningful research within Tutbob itself, ensuring our work translates into real outcomes for students and communities. At the same time, we’re focused on growing the company sustainably, supporting our team into full-time roles, welcoming new hires and interns, and continuing to build a culture rooted in curiosity and responsibility. The year ahead also brings exciting opportunities: • Supporting and working closely with the new Adelaide University • Launching prospective pilots with universities across Australia • Working with AWS, whose team has been incredibly generous, thoughtful, and supportive I’m deeply grateful for our advisory board, whose guidance and belief in Tutbob continue to shape our direction, and I’m especially excited to be returning to ThincLab in the new year. The space, the people, the community, and, soon, the ICC team will provide the perfect environment for growth. As we step into this next chapter, I’m looking forward to connecting with values-aligned investors, partners, mentors, and supporters who care about education, accessibility, responsible AI, infrastructure change, and long-term impact. The new year feels full of intention, possibility, and momentum, and I’m excited for what’s ahead. Thanks, Team. If this resonates, or if you'd like to see our pitch deck, please feel free to connect or email me. I’d love to connect 💙 fiona@tutbob.com

It was a real pleasure to see my name in the 250 Young Entrepreneurs list today! 🏆 A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported — and continues to support — our journey together. To the incredible teams I’m fortunate to be part of at James Anthony Consulting, CareWindow, Konnekt Videophone, The Innovation Factory, AdminGoat Pty Ltd, Slow Tours, TAFESA Software Development, Flinders University, Eastwood Community Centre, and eCare Solutions — you keep me inspired and energised every single day. And to the amazing organisations I’ve had the privilege to consult for — Tutbob, the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia, Shiels Group, Beaumont Tiles, Discount Party Supplies (Australia), Statewide Appliance Spares Pty Ltd, Star Pharmacy Group and so many more — thank you for trusting me (and the great teams I’m lucky enough to work with) to take on exciting challenges that have shaped my growth, learning and interests. Finally, a special shout-out to University of South Australia, TAFESA Software Development, Auctus Training and Education, Cisco Networking Academy, Leaders Institute of South Australia, and Remarkable Tech for contributing so much to my formal education and development. Here’s to continuing this journey together — learning, growing, and building better things side by side. 🚀 See the full list here: https://lnkd.in/gRU35n6b

Tutbob is proud to be listed on the National AI Centre’s AI-Directory, a platform that showcases Australia's AI capabilities across technologies and industries.  Tutbob, founded by Fiona Goodsite and Amelie Parker in the year 2024, is honoured to be a part of the directory alongside major AI businesses in the country. Being a part of the directory is a huge milestone for Tutbob. Tutbob’s recognition in the AI Directory makes our position as a trusted part of the future of AI-powered learning. This also aligns with Tutbob’s values of making responsible use of AI and helping every student reach their fullest potential through accessible, affordable, and efficient support. Tutbob is committed to growing and continuing to make learning smarter, simpler, and impactful for all students, everywhere. The AI Directory is Australia’s platform designed to showcase the nation’s AI capabilities, build, connect and foster industry connections, and have a strong, collaborative AI community. It’s a simple guide to know about AI service providers and their expertise within the country. 🔗Find us on the Directory at: https://lnkd.in/gHM9ZAiH  🔗Explore the directory at: https://lnkd.in/gstfmmn7    🔗Apply to be listed: https://lnkd.in/gmQKsPVd #ArtificialIntelligence #AIAustralia #AIDirectory #ResponsibleAI

AI Isn’t the Problem. Bad Teaching Is. We’ve all seen tutors in class who pause mid-sentence, skimming over questions, or referring back to their notes when asked something unexpected. While most mean well, this can make students feel less confident or supported.  It also reinforces a passive learning model, where students rely on someone else's understanding instead of building their own. For students already feeling anxious or left behind, this dynamic can make things worse. Meanwhile, some schools are taking steps to reimagine education entirely. In Texas, The Alpha School has introduced an AI-led learning model. Students spend two hours a day learning with AI and the rest of the day learning real world skills. Teachers here don’t lecture, instead, they act as mentors and motivators, keeping students engaged. It’s a powerful example of how AI can free up teachers to focus on what matters most, human connection, while still ensuring students receive tailored, effective instruction. “By leveraging AI-driven, adaptive learning technology, students can complete an entire day’s worth of academics in just two hours. By eliminating boredom and disengagement, Alpha School keeps students highly motivated”, says Forbes about the school. We believe this model highlights a powerful shift towards: More efficient, focused learning  Supporting students with differing attention spans Allowing students to learn individually at their own pace Strengthening problem-solving abilities Does that mean AI is replacing teachers? No, AI isn't here to replace teachers, it's here to support students to receive personalised support in learning. With AI, students can: Personalised learning at your pace: AI adapts to each student’s strengths, weaknesses, and learning speed. Instant feedback: Students can get corrections, suggestions, and tips immediately instead of waiting for a tutor. Support for multiple subjects: AI can help students understand different topics and explain students in any language, all in one place. Practice and revision tools: AI can generate quizzes, summaries for revision. Encourages independent learning: Students learn to solve problems and explore concepts on their own.  Bridges language barriers: AI can translate explanations or content into a student’s preferred language. Sure, tutors can do some of this too, but AI brings one key advantage: flexibility. While teachers and tutors play a vital role in education, AI offers unmatched flexibility, personalisation, and instant support. It ensures every student has received equal assistance and help, providing resources across subjects anytime, anywhere.  But let’s be clear: AI is not here to replace human connection or interaction. It’s here to enhance it, by giving students the support they need when they need it, so real conversations with educators can go deeper, not just repeat what’s already misunderstood. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gzGyAeUf

Come see us at HEXPO 💙👀

AI in Classroom: Yes or No?  AI is changing many parts of our lives, and education is no exception. Universities around the world are starting to use AI tools to help students learn more effectively, but not everyone is okay with this idea. The usage of AI for students has been quite a debate and everyone has an opinion. Universities worldwide are beginning to introduce AI tools to enhance student learning, but the idea is not without controversy and debate. Some believe AI is an essential tool for supporting students, while others argue it is wrong to use as AI can do the work for students, limit critical thinking, and produce results that feel robotic and lack emotion. Here’s what we think…… AI is not here to replace teachers and lecturers. If AI is used in the right way, it can not only help students complete smaller tasks, but also to help them grow academically. One big challenge that students face today is managing a lot of information and tasks at the same time. Certain courses often require reading multiple books and writing assignments, attending lectures, and preparing for multiple exams. Here is where AI can be useful. Certain AI tools can help students organise their work, understand complex topics, and even improve their study habits. ✔️Summarise long texts into shorter versions ✔️Generate quizzes based on lectures ✔️Answer questions in real time and explain difficult ideas This means: support anywhere, anytime! AI tools can also assist with taking notes during lectures or organising study materials. Students today have different learning patterns and styles. For example, tools like Tutbob cater to students who are auditory learners, where in Tutbob can help in note-taking and also save notes for revision later.  However, it is important to remember that AI is a tool, not a replacement for hard work and critical thinking. AI is for supporting skills, not replacing them. Students can responsibly use AI for brainstorming ideas, organising their thoughts, and getting explanations which allows students the importance of doing their own research and thinking critically. AI has the potential to improve learning at universities by providing many ways to support students. But the real goal of education remains the same: to develop students’ minds, encourage curiosity, and prepare them for the future. When used wisely, AI can be a valuable partner on this journey. The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency provides guidance on its website about how students should use AI, outlining in detail when and where it is appropriate, and the permissions required. Full information: https://lnkd.in/g6E3T4x3

Building the future of AI with students, not just for them: How are students helping shape the responsible use of AI in education? For a recent ASCILITE TELall blog, I reflected on a powerful panel session hosted by the Business Education Special Interest Group. We heard from three young entrepreneurs and recent graduates who are not just using AI—they are building with it: Amelie Parker, Fiona Goodsite and Anthony Grant. Their insights challenge us to think differently about how we prepare students for a future shaped by AI. Across the conversation, a clear theme emerged. Students are not waiting to be led. They are already experimenting, innovating, and reimagining how AI can support learning and inclusion. This raises important questions for educators. Are we giving students the space to build confidence, not just follow rules? Are we recognising that so-called AI “misuse” often reflects confusion rather than dishonesty? Are we listening to how students would redesign the classroom if they could? The panel offered practical provocations, including the need to: - Shift teaching from content delivery to experience design - Support inclusive AI development that reflects diverse learning needs - Foster trust through clear guidance and consistent institutional policies Perhaps most importantly, they reminded us that the most meaningful educational innovations happen with students, not to them. You can read the full piece here on ASCILITE’s TELall blog: https://lnkd.in/gyTvVgX2 #AIinEducation #HigherEd #EdTech #StudentVoice #ResponsibleAI #Inclusion #TeachingInnovation #ASCILITE #TELall #BusinessEducation #FutureOfLearning #AIandPedagogy EdTechNZ, University of Auckland Business School