Pedagogical guide to learning analytics

What is learning analytics?

Learning analytics is much more than a tool; rather it is a process and can span many diverse approaches to help improve learning outcomes. The focus of learning analytics is to provide actionable information that can improve teaching and learning.

While there are many definitions of learning analytics, UW–‍Madison has contextually defined it as the undertaking of activities designed to improve student outcomes by informing structure, content, delivery, or support of the learning environment. In practical terms learning analytics uses data generated within courses to inform and improve teaching and learning on our campus.

More information about learning analytics at UW–‍Madison is available from the Learning Analytics Center of Excellence.  Also before leveraging any learning analytics approaches please review UW–‍Madison’s Learning Analytics Guiding Principles, which state that students are real and diverse individuals, and not just their data or information. The principles — beneficence, transparency, privacy and confidentiality, and minimization of adverse impacts — aim to uphold the dignity of students while ensuring learning analytics are used to improve educational outcomes.

What can I use learning analytics for?

Learning analytics can be used by multiple stakeholders (eg. advisors and students) in addition to instructors. There are a variety of ways that an instructor can use learning analytics. To help instructors understand the educational benefits, a Learning Analytics Functional Taxonomy was explored and adapted by campus fellowships. The following are the different categories included in the taxonomy.

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What are my learning analytics tool options?

Learning analytics is a relatively new and fluid space. Institutions, vendors and consortiums like Unizin are actively developing new tools to collect and analyze data about learning environments. Currently the most readily available learning analytics tools on campus for instructors are analytics tools within Canvas, Kaltura, and the Engage eText reader. More information about these tools and how to use them is listed below:

Atomic Assessments provides advanced quizzing functionality; instructors can review reports and analytics about students’ activity.

Are the tools integrated into Canvas?

Currently, New Analytics is part of the Canvas interface, and you can also access Quiz Logs and course-access reports in Canvas. Other tools may be integrated within a Canvas course and depending on how they are set up, you may be able to access analytics within Canvas. (For example, Kaltura has this functionality if you use the Gallery feature in Canvas.)

Who can I talk to for more information?

Our learning technology consultants are happy to help you choose the best tool to fit your needs and start using it to improve student success. Contact the DoIT Help Desk to schedule an appointment with a DoIT Academic Technology consultant. In addition, the Learn@UW KnowledgeBase offers helpful documents for instructors, course owners and students. Other learning analytics information, resources, events and news are available on the Learning Analytics Center of Excellence website.