Readiness for Analytics: Thoughts as I read the JISC project

Source: http://repository.jisc.ac.uk/5657/1/Learning_analytics_report.pdf

Questions I’d like answered by report:

What are they using Learner Analytics for? 

At the moment,

• Indicators of engagement. Identifying at risk students [Audience: Staff]
• More detail on subject choices, including student reviews [Audience: Students] 
• Aid to personal tutor and student [Audience: Staff & Students]

Is it having an impact?

• Currently, no clear cut, robust evidence. Most suggest yes, i.e.., better information around key metrics can improve timelessness and out of the intervention. 
• Benefits of connecting different parts of an institution, which may previously worked in isolation. 

Thoughts

There is a variety of use in UK around Learning Analytics. Therefore, very early stage in our understanding and deployment

For data sources, think widest potential net, i.e., access to PCs, library interaction, personal tutee notes etc.,

When collecting subjective data, remember ethical issues.

Derby have developed a weighting of 29 metrics for monitoring student engagement. I'd like to see the questions /  indicators.

All seem to have PVC level driver / buy-in (expect Edinburgh). It would be interesting to find out, what the are the requirement of the PVCs.

Some case studies mention of specific polices, ie., minimum attendance. The more explicit the policies, the easier quantified the KPIs.

It is interesting many of them seem to trigger the sending of a letter. I’m wondering, what is in the letter, how does it link to the support and student services?

Future plans

• Interest in ensuring a student view of the data being collected is available
• Enhanced dashboard technologies, and automating decision-making applications using flags 

More detailed needed

Would like to follow up about what is happening at Manchester Met, Nottingham Trent or Derby. 

Obvious connections with Bbd Learn, and Grade integration with SITS

Related to our work

• Where are we around readiness for learning analytics and the ethical issues?
• Will our tool enable (easily - low threshold technology) including attendance data, library borrowing data etc.,