Supporting faculty and staff to make better use of learning analytics data

Abstract

Placing educational data in the hands of faculty and allowing them to explore these data has been of interest for many stakeholders in the past few years, with the hopes that faculty will use these data to improve the educational experience for students. Although these data have the potential to be powerful for improving STEM education, data are only as good as their analyses and application. Using 14 interviews conducted at one institution, we studied what compels faculty to seek out university-collected educational data, what challenges they face, and suggestions they have for improving data usage. Our sample consisted primarily of those already involved with education reform and were using learning analytics data to inform those projects. Challenges included unfamiliarity with quantitative education data and unawareness of the possibilities for learning analytics. We recommend that strategic, thoughtful advertising and already-existing resources be used to help mitigate challenges. PU - AMER ASSOC PHYSICS TEACHERS PI - COLLEGE PARK PA - ONE PHYSICS ELLIPSE, COLLEGE PARK, MD 20740-3845 USA