Learning Analytics

Introduction

The advent of new technologies has increasingly enhanced the connection between human beings and digital devices. This connection has led organizations and individuals to depend much on digital data to inform decision-making and setting strategies, and powerfully impacting future development of organizations and individuals. This topic introduces the idea of analytics, the term used in business and science to refer to “computational support for capturing digital data to help inform decision-making” (UNESCO, 2012).  This topic deals specifically with learning analytics, which has the potential to significantly enhances the process of the educational decision-making based on powerful evidence. In other words, knowledge, skills and tools for conducting learning analytics are important in order to make informed decisions and take action. This unit will enable academics and higher education institutions to understand the concept of Learning Analytics (LA); how it works in the learning process; how to apply the learning process; methods of Learning Analytics, and Software used to engage with LA. Related to this is the practise of assessment and evaluation which will also be discussed.

Objectives

At the end of this topic the learner should be able to:

• Describe the meaning, purpose and potential of learning analytics
• Describe how analytics can be implemented to enhance teaching and learning Identify the various levels where Learning Analytics operate and explain how analytical tools or reports can be utilized to support learners through instruction or intervention
• Identify tools available within a learning management system for data analysis and discussion between the relationship of learning analytics and evaluation
• Design the assessment that fits best with the outcome of the course, identify principles and types of assessment and evaluation, design the tools for evaluating online course and explain the purpose for conducting course evaluation.