scholarly journals Learning analytics in higher education: an analysis of case studies

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Billy Tak Ming Wong
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Learning Analytics ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Emotional States ◽  
Students At Risk ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Expected Benefits ◽  
Learning Behaviours

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present a systematic review of the mounting research work on learning analytics. Design/methodology/approach This study collects and summarizes information on the use of learning analytics. It identifies how learning analytics has been used in the higher education sector, and the expected benefits for higher education institutions. Empirical research and case studies on learning analytics were collected, and the details of the studies were categorized, including their objectives, approaches, and major outcomes. Findings The results show the benefits of learning analytics, which help institutions to utilize available data effectively in decision making. Learning analytics can facilitate evaluation of the effectiveness of pedagogies and instructional designs for improvement, and help to monitor closely students’ learning and persistence, predict students’ performance, detect undesirable learning behaviours and emotional states, and identify students at risk, for taking prompt follow-up action and providing proper assistance to students. It can also provide students with insightful data about their learning characteristics and patterns, which can make their learning experiences more personal and engaging, and promote their reflection and improvement. Originality/value Despite being increasingly adopted in higher education, the existing literature on learning analytics has focussed mainly on conventional face-to-face institutions, and has yet to adequately address the context of open and distance education. The findings of this study enable educational organizations and academics, especially those in open and distance institutions, to keep abreast of this emerging field and have a foundation for further exploration of this area.

Closing the chasm between virtual and physical delivery for innovative learning spaces using learning analytics

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noha Saleeb
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Learning Analytics ◽  
Virtual Learning ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Engineering Sciences ◽  
Hands On ◽  
2D And 3D

PurposeOne of the misconceptions of teaching and learning for practical-based programmes, such as engineering, sciences, architecture, design and arts, is the necessity to deliver via face-to-face physical modality. This paper refutes this claim by providing case studies of best practices in delivering such courses and their hands-on skillsets using completely online virtual delivery that utilises different formats of 2D and 3D media and tools, supported by evidence of efficiency using learning analytics.Design/methodology/approachThe case studies were designed using pedagogical principles of constructivism and deep learning, conducted within a mixture of 2D and 3D virtual learning environments with flexible interface and tools capabilities. State-of-the-art coding and scripting techniques were also used to automate different student tasks and increase engagement. Regression and descriptive analysis methods were used for Learning Analytics.FindingsLearning analytics of all case studies demonstrated the capability to achieve course/project learning outcomes, with high engagement from students amongst peers and with tutors. Furthermore, the diverse virtual learning tools used, allowed students to display creativity and innovation efficiently analogous to physical learning.Originality/valueThe synthesis of utilised media and tools within this study displays innovation and originality in combining different technology techniques to achieve an effectual learning experience. That would usually necessitate face-to-face, hands-on physical contact to perform practical tasks and receive feedback on them. Furthermore, this paper provides suggestions for future research using more advanced technologies.

Trends in learning analytics practices: a review of higher education institutions

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 132-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Billy Tak-Ming Wong ◽  
Kam Cheong Li ◽  
Samuel Ping-Man Choi
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Learning Analytics ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Timely Feedback ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Learning Behaviours ◽  
The Uk

PurposeThis paper aims to review and identify the major patterns and trends in learning analytics practices in higher education institutions. The review covers the characteristics of the institutions, as well as the characteristics and outcomes of the learning analytics practices.Design/methodology/approachThis research collected literature published in 2011-2016 which reported learning analytics practices from Scopus and Google Scholar, covering a total of 47 institutions, and categorised the information about the relevant institutions and practices.FindingsThe results show that most of the institutions were public ones in the USA and the UK of various sizes and offering different levels of study. The learning analytics practices were mainly institution-wide, apart from a small number focusing on selected courses. The purposes of the practices were mainly to enhance the effectiveness of learning support and administration, followed by facilitating students’ learning progress. The most common types of data collected for the practices were students’ academic behaviours and their background information. Positive outcomes were reported for a majority of the practices, and the most frequent ones being an increase in cost-effectiveness and understanding of students’ learning behaviours. Other outcomes included the improvement of student retention, timely feedback and intervention, support for informed decision-making and the provision of personalised assistance to students.Originality/valueThe results provide an overview of the use of learning analytics in the higher education sector. They also reveal the trends in learning analytics practices, as well as future research directions.

Ethiopian new public universities

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 158-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Van Deuren ◽  
Tsegazeab Kahsu ◽  
Seid Mohammed ◽  
Wondimu Woldie
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Public Universities ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
System Level ◽  
Illustrative Case ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Higher Education System ◽  
New Public ◽  
And Gender

Purpose – This paper aims to analyze and illustrate achievements and challenges of Ethiopian higher education, both at the system level and at the level of new public universities. Design/methodology/approach – Achievements and challenges at the system level are based on literature review and secondary data. Illustrative case studies are based on university data and interviews with university representatives. Findings – The Ethiopian higher education system has increased its enrollments substantially. The construction of 13 new universities that started enrolling students around 2007 contributed greatly to this achievement. Challenges accompanying this growth lie in funding, quality and quantity of staffing, teaching practices, research and community service, quality assurance and gender balance. Originality/value – The present study contributes to existing literature by describing case studies illustrating challenges and achievements in new public universities in Ethiopian higher education.

scholarly journals APPLYING INDUSTRY 4.0 AND EDUCATION 4.0 TO ENGINEERING EDUCATION

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Neaga
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Engineering Education ◽  
Learning Analytics ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Undergraduate Level ◽  
Industrial Companies ◽  
Master Level ◽  
Smart Factories

This research work-in-progress deals with a holistic analysis of the impacts of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) for engineering education especially for University undergraduate (level 4-6), master (level 7) and PhD related manufacturing, automotive engineering and supply chain management programmes in United Kingdom higher education institutions. This analysis aims at providing support for further consolidated recommendations to enable the development of higher education engineering curriculum for enhancing I4.0 application for smart organisations and industrial companies within the digital supply chains. Also the paper provides an analysis of advancement from digitalisation in engineering education to the implementation of Education 4.0 and related practices of smart labs, and simulation of smart factories leading at the learning factory. A conceptual framework to support the application of big data and learning analytics in the School of Engineering from University of Wales Trinity St David, Swansea, United Kingdom has been identified, discussed and intended to apply in the context of applying learning analytics.

scholarly journals Preparing sports graduates for employment: satisfying employers expectations

2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 354-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Track Dinning
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Case Study Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Interpretive Case Study ◽  
Thematic Review ◽  
Industry Professionals

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore from an employer’s perspective the skills, attributes and capabilities required of a sports graduate, whilst also discovering how a student is expected to demonstrate these skills in the context of a sports organisation. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a qualitative interpretive case study approach through the use of face-to-face interviews with six employers from sports organisations involved in the delivery of sport. Interviews lasted between 30 and 42 minutes and were recorded. This was followed by a thematic review to allow for common themes to be selected and represented. The results were then reviewed and evaluated by a further 15 industry professionals and sports educators. Findings The results suggest employers seek skills that are characteristically enterprise/entrepreneurship skills, together with an articulation of a “sports graduate” mindset. This mindset is described by the employers as being something which is demonstrated through a combination of behaviours and attributes. The paper concluded that in the classroom, the use of case studies and challenges, where students have to respond to and solve problems by the very nature of the activity, is optimal. Originality/value The originality of this paper lies in both the context of study and the integration of enterprise and entrepreneurship skills that are needed for the changing world of work in sport. The value of the papers is in both the employer’s description of the graduate mindset and also examples of how the skills can be applied in the context of sport.

scholarly journals Predictive learning analytics and the creation of emotionally adaptive learning environments in higher education institutions: a study of students' affect responses

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 243-257
Author(s):  
Paul Joseph-Richard ◽  
James Uhomoibhi ◽  
Andrew Jaffrey
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
At Risk ◽  
Learning Analytics ◽  
Higher Education Institutions ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Affective States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Predictive Learning

PurposeThe aims of this study are to examine affective responses of university students when viewing their own predictive learning analytics (PLA) dashboards, and to analyse how those responses are perceived to affect their self-regulated learning behaviour.Design/methodology/approachA total of 42 Northern Irish students were shown their own predicted status of academic achievement on a dashboard. A list of emotions along with definitions was provided and the respondents were instructed to verbalise them during the experience. Post-hoc walk-through conversations with participants further clarified their responses. Content analysis methods were used to categorise response patterns.FindingsThere is a significant variation in ways students respond to the predictions: they were curious and motivated, comforted and sceptical, confused and fearful and not interested and doubting the accuracy of predictions. The authors show that not all PLA-triggered affective states motivate students to act in desirable and productive ways.Research limitations/implicationsThis small-scale exploratory study was conducted in one higher education institution with a relatively small sample of students in one discipline. In addition to the many different categories of students included in the study, specific efforts were made to include “at-risk” students. However, none responded. A larger sample from a multi-disciplinary background that includes those who are categorised as “at-risk” could further enhance the understanding.Practical implicationsThe authors provide mixed evidence for students' openness to learn from predictive learning analytics scores. The implications of our study are not straightforward, except to proceed with caution, valuing benefits while ensuring that students' emotional well-being is protected through a mindful implementation of PLA systems.Social implicationsUnderstanding students' affect responses contributes to the quality of student support in higher education institutions. In the current era on online learning and increasing adaptation to living and learning online, the findings allow for the development of appropriate strategies for implementing affect-aware predictive learning analytics (PLA) systems.Originality/valueThe current study is unique in its research context, and in its examination of immediate affective states experienced by students who viewed their predicted scores, based on their own dynamic learning data, in their home institution. It brings out the complexities involved in implementing student-facing PLA dashboards in higher education institutions.

Global research landscape of sustainability curricula implementation in higher education

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 570-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Weiss ◽  
Matthias Barth
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Citation Network ◽  
Research Area ◽  
Western World ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Implementation Processes ◽  
Citation Network Analysis ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Global Research

Purpose This paper aims to outline the global research landscape of sustainability curricula implementation processes in higher education. The focus is twofold and investigates where research that aims at integrating sustainability into the curriculum is happening and how the research area of curriculum change for sustainability is developing. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review of peer-reviewed case studies published in English in selected journals and edited volumes between 1990 and 2017 was carried out. Data (n = 270 publications) were analyzed via descriptive statistics and bibliometric analysis. Findings The study demonstrates that research on sustainability curricula implementation processes in higher education has produced a growing output in a broad range of journals. Nevertheless, the cross-country distribution is imbalanced, with most cases coming from the USA, Europe and Asia, but with the relatively highest density in Oceania. A citation network analysis revealed that the “Western world” is quite well interlinked, whereas other countries are not, indicating that sharing information between and learning from other cases is limited. Research limitations/implications The exclusion of non-English publications likely skewed the global distribution of the research landscape included in this study. Social implications These findings demonstrate the need for more research and funding for case studies in countries that have not yet been adequately examined. Originality/value This study offers the first systematic reflection on the current global research landscape in sustainability curricula implementation and can guide further research endeavors.

Higher education: the best practices for fostering competences for sustainable development through the use of active learning methodologies

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Matilde Martínez Casanovas ◽  
Noemí Ruíz-Munzón ◽  
Marian Buil-Fabregá
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Active Learning ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Real World ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse which are the active learning methodologies, which had better contribute to acquiring competences for sustainable development (SD) in higher education. Design/methodology/approach Cluster analysis is used to define 252 students’ skills patterns and their perception of the different active learning methodologies conducted in class to promote SD. Findings The results show how different learning methodologies enhance SD, the quality assessment perception of students regarding the methodologies used in class and present real-world experiences, problem-based learning and case studies as the active learning methodologies that had better promote SD. Research limitations/implications The limitations of the study are that the results obtained are particular for one university and are not generalizable to other institutions and could vary depending on the degree and year of study of the group of student participants. Practical implications The research proposes to introduce active learning methodologies in general and real-world experiences, problem-based learning and case studies in particular, in education for sustainable development. Social implications These research findings could be used for those interested in applying active learning methodologies to foster the acquisition of SD competences to promote the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development goals. Originality/value This research study aims to shed light on the nascent stage of the relationship between pedagogical approaches used in higher education to develop sustainability competences.

Factors affecting students’ engagement with online content in blended learning

Kybernetes ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (7) ◽  
pp. 1500-1515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alka Dwivedi ◽  
Prasoom Dwivedi ◽  
Samo Bobek ◽  
Simona Sternad Zabukovšek
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Blended Learning ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Strategic Decision ◽  
Online Content ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Approach To Learning ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
E Learning

PurposeIncreasing use of information and communication technology (ICT) in education has, along with other consequences, shifted the context from teacher-centric to student-centric. These changes pose fresh challenges to the prevalent education systems all over the world, which already have fallen short of the expectations. The purpose of this study is to show that e-learning is not only about ICT following a holistic approach to learning which embeds systemic approach and learning loops but also about students and teacher’s actions in ICT-enabled learning environment. This study investigates the importance of engagement of students and teachers in blended learning with a focus on factors which affect this engagement.Design/methodology/approachBased on systems theory and socio-technological approach to e-learning, the paper documents an experiment which was carried out in a higher education institution. Postgraduate students of one course were divided into two groups. Instructor of the first group was not required to engage with the online content and had to deliver his course in a traditional face-to-face format. Instructor of the second group continuously spent time on the learning management system (LMS), developing more content, participating in online discussions and responding to students. LMS tracked the online activity of both the instructors, and semi-structured interviews of students were conducted.FindingsBased on behaviour of 152 students of a postgraduate programme, students’ time spent online is directly proportional to the instructor’s online time, promptness of instructor’s response to online activities queries of students increased student engagement, the students’ engagement increases if the online content is related to the syllabus but engagement is not the same as the face-to-face lectures in the class.Research limitations/implicationsThe research was conducted in India and is based on the behaviour of instructors and students in India. It was focussed on engagement issues of blended learning, while other issues of blended learning have not been in the focus of the research.Practical implicationsThe research is important for the practice of higher education, and the result of the study can be taken into consideration while developing online courses for students enrolled in higher education.Social implicationsIf higher education institutions take a strategic decision to use ICT in e-learning, engagements of participants and factors affecting engagement are crucial for the better quality of education. In such a way, blended learning fulfils requirements of a holistic approach to learning.Originality/valueDespite the fact that e-learning as a way to deliver academic content has been extensively researched, there are not many studies focussed on engagement issues in blended learning, and even fewer studies have been conducted in an experimental way which allow in-depth research.

Using electronic textbooks: promoting, placing and embedding

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leo Appleton
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Teaching And Learning ◽  
Education Institution ◽  
Research Impact ◽  
Learning Activity ◽  
Electronic Textbooks ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Evaluation Strategies ◽  
Marketing Implementation

PurposeThe paper illustrates the experiences of both academic and support staff in the use of electronic books within a higher education setting. The case studies report upon practice at Edge Hill College of Higher Education, which has allowed for successful e‐book development strategies to be employed in teaching and learning within the college. The paper will deal particularly with e‐book marketing, implementation and evaluation strategies, as well as embedding e‐books into virtual learning environments (VLEs).Design/methodology/approachThe paper reports upon two significant chapters within e‐book development at the college. The first of these is an initial evaluative e‐book research project, from which strategy and policy were formulated. The second part of the paper introduces case studies in which the findings of the initial research impact upon the embedding of e‐books into teaching and learning and subsequently into the college's VLE.FindingsUser evaluations provide qualitative analytic data into the benefits and disadvantages of using e‐books in higher education teaching and learning activity.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are limited to one particular higher education institution and specific curriculum areas within.Originality/valueThe evaluative data, as well as particular e‐book strategies identified, make the paper of value to those researching e‐book usage and activity, in particular within online learning.

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