Learning Analytics
Monitor, reflect, assess and intervene to drive student achievement
Learning Analytics is a new
way of analyzing student achievement to inform curricula and teaching methods
based on previous experiences. (Innovative
Pedagogy 2013) Both the educator and the student are able to utilize learning
analytics. The educator monitors the learning process, reviews student data,
intervenes when necessary and improves teaching strategies and materials. The
students use learning analytics to self assess, reflect, and become better
learners. Learning analytics may be the key to closing the achievement gap.
In the K-12 setting learning
analytics can be used in many ways. Student artifacts should be assessed to
determine mastery and whether students are demonstrating higher-order thinking
skills. (Learning Analytics: Moving From
Concept to Practice) Learning Analytics focuses not only on the teacher
collecting data, but also on students taking responsibility for their learning.
Therefore, students act as decision makers in their educations as well. (Learning Analytics: A Report on the ELI
Focus Session) By empowering students to take ownership of their learning
and offering them choice they may become more engaged and enthusiastic about
learning. For example, when assigning a project the teacher might offer a
variety of ways in which to complete the project as well as choices on topic.
In conclusion learning
analytics interprets a wide range of data to determine student growth, make
predictions and recognize a need for intervention. It informs instruction so
that teachers can focus on student needs. (Enhancing
Teaching and Learning Through Data Mining and Learning Analytics) Learning
Analytics provides students with a voice in their education.
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