Learning Commons: Learning Analytics: Learning Analytics: Introductory Resources

Learning Analytics Introductory Resources

Learning analytics is defined as

"the measurement, collection, analysis and reporting of data about learners and their contexts, for purposes of understanding and optimising learning and the environments in which it occurs" (Long & Siemens), or

"an educational application of web analytics aimed at learner profiling, a process of gathering and analyzing details of individual student interactions in online learning activities" (EDUCAUSE).

The resources on this page provide an introduction to the subject of learning analytics software applications in higher education.

What You Need to Know About Learning Analytics (The Chronicle of Higher Ed., Oct. 2016)
"What You Need To Know About Learning Analytics" is a Focus collection featuring articles from The Chronicle of Higher Education. Published in October 2016, the articles elucidate ways in which learning analytics are actually being used, analyzes the promise of learning analytics as the next disruptive technology of education, raises ethical concerns about the collection and use of student-generated data, and examines the business and capitalization strategies for developers in the ed. tech. industry. The collection concludes with articles on how learning analytics is (and is not) influencing teaching and learning.
Learning Analytics: Big Data in Education (Hartman-Caverly & LaMagna, Feb. 2017)
The presentation, "Learning Analytics: Big Data in Education," proposes interdisciplinary entry points to the scholarly examination of learning analytics from a range of disciplines, including computer science, statistics, education, psychology, history and political science, business and economics, law, and ethics. (Originally presented during DCCC Faculty In-Service, 16 Feb. 2017).

The State of Learning Analytics (Educause Review, Nov. 2016)
EDUCAUSE Review's "The State of Learning Analytics" explains a decline in learning analytics adoption and implementation due to issues with data quality, system interoperability, lack of administrative support, and "a possible faculty culture of resistance." This post links to a more comprehensive EDUCAUSE Center for Analysis and Research report, "Learning Analytics in Higher Education," which details adoption drivers and specific applications.
Learning Analytics in Higher Education (JISC, 2016)
JISC provides insight from UK applications of learning analytics in their 2016 report.
Learning Analytics (Department of Education Office of Educational Technology)
The Department of Education's Office of Educational Technology site provides a 2012 issue brief entitled "Enhancing Teaching and Learning Through Educational Data Mining and Learning Analytics."
SoLAR (Society for Learning Analytics Research)
SoLAR, the Society for Learning Analytics Research, is the primary professional organization in this field.
Journal of Learning Analytics (SoLAR)
SoLAR, the Society for Learning Analytics Research, publishes the Journal of Learning Analytics.
Learning Analytics (Springer, 2014)
Chapter abstracts and references from the Springer e-book, Learning Analytics, provide additional insight into applications, implementation, and issues.

Learning Analytics

Learning Analytics Introductory Resources

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