Breadcrumb Links:

The ‘at risk’ student indicator project.

What is it?

This project emerged from a broader research project at CQUniversity based on an emerging concept called learning analytics. The Society for Learning Analytics Research (SoLAR) defines learning analytics as (Siemens et al., 2011, p. 4)

..the measurement, collection, analysis and reporting of data about learners and their contexts, for purposes of understanding and optimizing learning and the environments in which it occurs.

CQUniversity has a large cohort of distance students who are essentially invisible to staff in terms of their engagement and motivation. This project aims at using data from existing information systems to aid in the early identification of students who may be struggling with their studies. Specifically, this project aims to especially engage and augment teaching staff by providing tools that are easy to use and placed within their learning and teaching context. In addition to Moodle based tools that may aid in the identification of ‘at risk’ students and subsequent interventions, real-time information and interpretations will be provided to assist staff in making sense of online student behaviours.

Further reading

The OLT project team

Colin Beer (CQUniversity)
Damien Clark (CQUniversity)
Rolley Tickner (CQUniversity)

References

Siemens, G., Gasevic, D., Haythornthwaite, C., Dawson, S., Shum, S. B., & Ferguson, R. (2011). Open Learning Analytics: an integrated & modularized platform. Knowledge Creation Diffusion Utilization. Retrieved from http://solaresearch.org/OpenLearningAnalytics.pdfCowling (FSEH).