Visualising NILE: using ‘big data’ to understand students’ use of their learning environment

Visualising NILE: using ‘big data’ to understand students’ use of their learning environment
Simon Thompson

Abstract:

Learner analytics opens up ‘Big Data’ for research into how students use a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to support their learning. Cross referencing this behaviour with information about the students appears to offer insights for the design of e-learning material and the identification of students at risk.

This presentation examines the results of a short study into the time of assignment submissions, compared with the overall level of academic achievement at the end of the academic year.

The presentation also offers some insights into the issues that researchers wishing to use Learner Analytics data may encounter.

View full abstract [PDF]

Acknowledgments:

I am grateful to Tableau Software for an educational licence to use their data visualisation software.

Presentation PDF:

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Presenter: Simon Thompson

Simon ThompsonI am a Learning Technologist in LLS, joining the team in March 2013. I have a background in data conversion, visualisation and analysis at both Oxford University Press and the Northamptonshire Drug and Alcohol Action team and am a former military intelligence analyst.

In addition to exploring the use of NILE analytics data and visualisation tools, I am also at the early stages of research based on the continuous collection of user satisfaction data from within a VLE/MOOC.

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