Toward a Learning Analytics Framework: Identifying the Effectiveness of Preparatory Units

• In Event: Instructional Technology SIG Paper Session: Presence, Interaction, and Engagement in Learning

Abstract

This paper reports an analysis of the effectiveness of preparatory units as a critical predictor for online students’ success. Openness and accessibility of online education are all too often associated with significantly lower rates of successful unit and course completion than campus-based equivalents. Facilitating early student engagement and success is a feature of responsibility in the massification of higher education. Results indicate that students significantly benefit from taking part in the preparatory units with regard to their success and their withdrawal from subsequent units. Based on the findings of this study, a framework for learning analytics is presented.

Author

• Dirk Ifenthaler, University of Mannheim