Themes in Learning Analytics –A Critical View

Adam Cooper

Talis Insight 2015#laceproject #cetisuk

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No-one REALLY knows whatLearning Analytics is!

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Defining [Learning] Analytics

Analytics is the process of developing actionable insights through problem definition and the application of statistical models and analysis against existing and/or simulated future data.

Adam Cooper

Learning analytics is the measurement, collection, analysis and reporting of data about learners and their contexts, for purposes of understanding and optimizing learning and the environments in which it occurs.

Society for Learning Analytics Research

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What is Life?

Life is the period between birth and death, which may include episodes of reproduction.

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In Broken Images

He is quick, thinking in clear images;I am slow, thinking in broken images.He becomes dull, trusting to his clear images;I become sharp, mistrusting my broken images,Trusting his images, he assumes their relevance;Mistrusting my images, I question their relevance.Assuming their relevance, he assumes the fact,Questioning their relevance, I question the fact.When the fact fails him, he questions his senses;When the fact fails me, I approve my senses.He continues quick and dull in his clear images;I continue slow and sharp in my broken images.He in a new confusion of his understanding;I in a new understanding of my confusion.

Robert Graves

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Four Recurrent Themes

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The Four Themes Are:

• Data Warehouses• Dashboards• Predictive Analytics• Retention and “Intervention” Systems

A Critical View!

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Data Warehouses

OK, we need to manage data, but…

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Dashboards

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Predictive Analytics

The epitome of analytics?

Technically sophisticated…but, like a space-alien ray gun, is it safe for us to use?

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Retention and Intervention Systems

Watch Cath Ellis! https://vimeo.com/85331242

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A Response

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We Don’t REALLY Know, but…Strategies for discovery• Converse &

Socially-construct knowledge• Share• Open practice

Strategies for doing• Action research• Small is beautiful• Open systems• People in the system• Start from current practice

• Participative design

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Learning Analytics Community Exchange Project

workshops – presentations – white papers – bloggingevidence hub – network of associates

Suppliers

Entrepreneurs

Teachers

Learners

Researchers

Policy-makers

Library

Academic managers

Institutional managers

IT staff

Student services

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“Themes in Learning Analytics – A Critical View” by Adam Cooper, Cetis, was presented at Talis Insight on April 15th 2015.

adam@cetis.org.uk

This work was undertaken as part of the LACE Project, supported by the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme, grant 619424.

These slides are provided under the Creative Commons Attribution Licence: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Some images used may have different licence terms.

www.laceproject.eu@laceproject

Come and talk with me

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CreditsThinking boy outline - from the US government EPA "Sunwise" programhttps://openclipart.org/detail/630/thinkingboy-outline

Data warehouse overview – public domain – Hhultgrenvia wikimedia commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Data_warehouse_overview.JPG

Learn Course At-a-Glance – Blackboard Analytics for Learnhttp://www.blackboard.com/Platforms/Analytics/Products/Blackboard-Analytics-for-Learn.aspx

IBM Coremetircs Explorehttp://www-03.ibm.com/software/products/en/digital-analytics

Arrivals – CC BY T. Gregoriusvia wikimedia commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Big_data_cartoon_t_gregorius.jpg

Special Intervention Unit – CC BY HexogenVia wikimedia commons http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Special_Intervention_Unit-Kosovo.jpg