Learning Analytics: Developing a Data-Centric Teaching-Research Skill

Abstract

This paper highlights the importance of developing data-centric teaching-research skills of 21st-century teachers. It critically examines the literature related to the teaching-research nexus and learning analytics, and presents a model of the integration of these concepts, and their relevance to the teaching and learning process. This paper also presents the desirable skills set of learning analysts and identifies the analytic tools that they can use to carry out this role. Finally, this paper suggests the future direction of teacher training and professional development programs that will equip teachers with the right teaching-research skills and tools to help the millennial learners gain academic success. This study recommends that teachers need to be well informed about their students by having access to their data and acquiring the necessary competencies to perform appropriate data analysis. Furthermore, they are expected to engage with analytical tools and educational technologies in order to realize a more effective teaching and learning experience, and improve academic outcomes.