The Learning Analytics Cycle:Closing the loop effectively

Doug Clow, Institute of Educational Technology, The Open University, UK

Second International Conference on Learning Analytics and Knowledge LAK12, April/May 2012

reimplement it without the bugfixes

Not reinventing the wheelBut making a better cycle

Rainbow shield bugs Calidea dregii(cc) Ton Rulkens

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47108884@N07/5412717309/

Outline • The Learning Analytics Cycle• Underpinning theories• Making it better

(cc) CJ Isherwood http://www.flickr.com/photos/isherwoodchris/4295776610/

• Capture• Report• Predict• Act• Refine

Campbell & Oblinger (2007)

“the measurement, collection, analysis and reporting of data about

learners and their contexts, for purposes of understanding and

optimising learning and the environments in which it occurs”

- LAK11

(cc) Nicki Varkevisser http://www.flickr.com/photos/clickflashphotos/3450592233/

The Learning Analytics

Cycle

Kolb’sLearning

Cycle

Schön• Reflective practitioner

– Reflection-in-action, reflection-on-action– Iteration between espoused theories

and theories-in-use – Learning systems

• Single-loop vs double-loop learning

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Laurillard

Laurillard

(cc) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Feedback_loop_with_descriptions.svg

Closed-loop control system

(cc) C Jill Reed http://www.flickr.com/photos/mulmatsherm/2207936507/

Improving feedback

(cc) Doug Clow http://dougclow.wordpress.com

Openness • Transparency• Acceptability • Quality

Open Educational Resources (OER)

(cc) Steve Damron http://www.flickr.com/photos/sadsnaps/3676812382/

• Optimise the right thing – not money– not proxies for learning

• Assessment is key– be like students:

focus on the assessment

Big brown bat Eptesicus fuscus(cc) Matt Reinbold http://www.flickr.com/photos/furryscalyman/673915993/

• Underpin with theory• Close the loop • Optimise the right thing

– more, faster, better feedback

• Target learners & teachers– not (just) managers and

policymakers• Pursue openness & ethics

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Learning Analytics Cycle

Doug Clow@dougclowd.j.clow@open.ac.ukslideshare.net/dougclowdougclow.wordpress.com

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