Big Data in Education, Desire2Learn Inc

Alfred EssaDirector, Analytics Research and Strategy

Desire2Learn Inc.

aessa@mit.eduhttp://alfredessa.com

B(ig) D(ata) in E(ducation)∳

Why? problems we expect to solve

What? approach in education

Demo student success system

Less Data, More Insights

Preliminaries∳

• Education needs an enduring technology partner

• Supporting learners lifelong• 24/7 service and support• 14 available languages

• Now over 800 employees worldwide• Global SaaS capabilities• Over 8 Million Clients WW

Desire2Learn Inc.

Full Suite of Learning Technology

Desire2Learn  Learning  Pla.orm

Learning  Environment

LifelongePor.olio

Repository  &  Discovery

Advanced  Analy<cs

Binder  &  Mobile  Apps

Capture  &  Mul<media

Other  Analy<cs  and    Data  Sources

3rd  PartyApplica<ons

Publisher  Content

Authen<ca<onSystems

SIS  and  HRSystems

Desire2Learn  Valence  -­‐  Open  Web  Services,  APIs,  Integra<on  Packs  and  Standards

Why?∳

“As a disruptive innovation—an innovation that transforms a sector from one that was previously complicated and expensive into one that is far simpler and more affordable—the rise of online learning carries with it an unprecedented opportunity to transform the schooling system into a student-centric one that can affordably customize for different student needs by allowing all students to learn at their appropriate pace and path, thereby allowing each student to realize her fullest potential.”

Clayton Christensen

Seth Godin

“As we get ready for the ninety-third year of universal public education, here’s the question every parent and taxpayer needs to wrestle with: Are we going to applaud, push, or even permit our schools (including most of the private ones) to continue the safe but

ultimately doomed strategy of churning out predictable, testable, and

mediocre factory workers?”

“The next stops, I believe, are education, financial services, health care, and then ultimately government—the huge swaths of the economy that historically have not been addressable by technology, that haven’t been amenable to the entrance of Silicon Valley-style software companies. But increasingly I think they’re going to be.”

Marc Andreessen

Problem: Iron Triangle in Education

Quality

Cost

Access

solution: analytics at scale

problem: changing business model

volume value

solution: analytics as accountability

problem: diversity of learners

homogeneous heterogeneous

solution: analytics as personalization

problem: education sucks

solution: analytics powers interactive, immersive learning

conclusion: analytics is focal point of innovation in education

+

What?∳

Every breath you takeEvery move you makeEvery bond you breakEvery step you takeI will be watching you

Data

Internet Philosopher Sting

info

rmat

ion

valu

e

insight

Risk Forecasting

PredictiveModeling

what will happen?

STAGE TWO

ReportingData Access

what happened?what is happening?

STAGE ONE

Optimization

Strategy

what do i want to happen?STAGE THREE

Analytics Maturity

optimization means finding the best pathamong multiple options

who is under-prepared for college?

who is under-prepared for class?

who won’t remain in class?

who won’t re-register?

who won’t pass a class?

who won’t have a high GPA?

who won’t pass a class?

who won’t remain in a program?

who won’t graduate?

who won’t geta job

who won’t get a high-paying job?

Student Success LifecycleIdentify the StudentsUnderstand the CauseApply InterventionTrack Success

Demonstration∳

a 360-view of student academic progress, including risk

Student Success System

interrogate the data

understand the problem

consult with others

prescribe a course of treatment

track the success

https://fusion2012demo.desire2learn.com/

Let’s Make Education Dance!

Thank You∳aessa@mit.eduhttp://alfredessa.comlinkedin: alfred essatwitter: @malpaso