So much of the current discussion around Learning Analytics seems to be caught up in the realm of Big Data that informs the top executives and decision makers who are shaping institution-wide strategies. While these kinds of topics need to be explored, truly significant and transformative uses of learning analytics can be had at the grassroots level of the teacher and student. This session will look at how Edith Cowan University is using Blackboard Analytics for Learn to empower staff and students with their own data, allowing them to make informed and timely decisions in their own teaching and learning journeys. We will explore how learning analytics data enables staff to do things like identify and support students at risk of disengaging from the course early, monitor how students are actually engaging in their course and collect real evidence on student interactions that informs a continual process of improvement in learning design and resources.

1. Richard Stals
Senior Learning Solutions Advisor, Edith Cowan University
Blackboard Analytics for Learn:
A recipe for success

2. 2
If you build it will they

3. Informing Research
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Begin with clear questions and goals
John Whitmer (2015) presented on the use of analytics in
improving student achievement at last year’s Blackboard
conference. He encouraged staff tasked with increasing
the adoption of analytics to focus on the ‘why’ and not the
‘what’ of analytics.

4. Informing Research
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Top analytics use cases for teaching staff
The findings of an OLT-funded national exploratory study
(West, 2015) found that the top-three analytics use cases
identified by Academic staff were:
1. Curriculum/course design and teaching
improvement,
2. Resource planning at an institutional level, and;
3. Improving retention.

5. Informing Research
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Student perceptions of analytics
According to a recent Educause
research report (Dahlstrom et al,
2015), 82% of students are
interested in receiving feedback
about performance compared to
other students.

6. Staff Adoption Strategy
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Key Use Cases
Improve student retention
Review unit design
1
2

7. Staff Adoption Strategy
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Demonstrate value at 4 key points in the teaching life-cycle

8. Staff Adoption Strategy
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End of week one
Report
Identify students who have not logged in
The Course at a Glance Report
Action
Contact students who have not yet
accessed the Blackboard site

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10. Staff Adoption Strategy
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End of week three
Report
Identify students with low interactions
The Activity Matrix Report
Action
Contact students with low interactions

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12. Staff Adoption Strategy
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After completion of assessment(s)
Report
Identify students with concerning
outcomes
The Activity & Grade Scatter Plot Report
Action
Contact students with supporting resources

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14. Staff Adoption Strategy
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End of semester
Report
Review learning resource use
The Unit Submission Summary Report
Action
Review unit design based on student
engagement with resources

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16. Student Adoption Strategy
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Resources
Short (less than 2 minute) video outline
Tip-sheet
Staff
Our student learning consultants can help students
understand how the student report can help them monitor
their own progress and achievement.

17. Questions?
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18. References
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Dahlstrom, E et al. (2015). ECAR Study of Students and Information Technology,
2015. Louisville, CO: ECAR.
West, D. (2016). Letstalklearninganalyticseduau. Retrieved 22 July, 2016, from
http://www.letstalklearninganalytics.edu.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Findings-
Presentation-Final.pdf
Whitmer, J. (2015). Using Learning Analytics to Assess Innovation & Improve Student
Achievement. Retrieved 22 July, 2016, from
http://www.slideshare.net/JohnWhitmer/using-learning-analytics-to-assess-innovation-
improve-student-achievement