University of Stirling

Learning analytics status:

Currently in development.  

System in place: 

Canvas.  

Journey so far:

The main focus for the University of Stirling regarding learning analytics is retention. Their aim is to focus on assessment in year one and hope that learning analytics could provide the base of a model for disengagement behaviours.  Furthermore, Stirling hopes that it will provide intelligence around engagement with specific aspects of learning content or activity, which could be used to drive change or improvement in the content being presented and used or activities designed and practiced. 

While none of their systems are currently integrated and learning analytics is not in place some small tools have been made available in the VLE (Canvas) although this is not extensive. For example, a representation of where a student’s grade for a specific assignment sits in relation to the rest of the module group. 

However, there are currently two projects being piloted that aim to assist the university with their plans to implement learning analytics; one to trial the JISC Learning Analytics platform and another to scope out the functionality and possible usage of Tableau to visualise data from Canvas. 

Future goals:

A roadmap was drafted through Information Services and approved by the Learning Analytics Steering Group with aims for it to be achieved with the 2019-2020 academic year.  

The main development regarding the development of learning analytics is researching the concept of customisation for students, with their initial student feedback suggesting that some learning analytics tools will be stressful due to comparison to their peers. With this in mind, the ideal situation for the university would be that students could choose what aspects of learning analytics they want to see and customise which data would be displayed.  

A further plan is to have students write the learning analytics ethical policy as it is specific to the use of data about them. Furthermore, Stirling wish to encourage a nationwide approach – a Scottish ethical policy written by Scottish students.