Constructing an Open Learning Analytics Architecture for an Open University

Abstract

Open learning analytics (OLA) aims to meet diversified needs for insights into different stakeholders’ efforts to improve learning and learning contexts integrating heterogeneous learning analytics techniques. From an abstract point of view, OLA aligns well with the ideas of open and distance education institutions, of which Shanghai Open University (SOU) is a learning Chinese representative. The paper reports on the design of an OLA framework for SOU, based on different users’ service demands and the diverse sources of data and multiple platforms in use at the university. The proposed architecture is based on a discussion of the general characteristics of OLA architecture. The final model is achieved through an iterative development method.