Data pre-processing of student e-learning logs

Abstract

Educational data mining faces the challenge of systematic knowledge discovery in large data streams to support educational decision-making. While much research effort has been made in examining study patterns with various data mining algorithms, how to prepare the data suitable and effective for these mining algorithms (i.e., the phase of data pre-processing) has not been investigated in detail. This paper presents a specific data pre-processing case for educators who are keen on investigating student online reading behavior using sequential pattern analyses. The implications of data pre-processing were also discussed.