Integrating Learning Analytics into Quality Management: Expert Recommendations

Learning Analytics is a key trend in the quality assurance of digital education, promising substantial benefits. The integration of Learning Analytics into teaching must be well-planned, considering technical, didactic and ethical aspects. Despite the challenges, the potential benefits make it a worthwhile endeavour.

Key Recommendations for Implementation

1. Clear Concepts

Begin with clear, well-defined concepts outlining the role of Learning Analytics in your quality assurance system. Consider strategic questions such as the goals you aim to achieve, the stakeholders involved, and the budget and resources available. You need a cross-functional working group to develop an effective concept.

2. Convincing Change Management

Effective change management is crucial. Engage a small, motivated team of advocates to lead the initial efforts. Use surveys and feedback sessions to gauge the training needs of stakeholders and keep everyone informed through meetings, webinars and dedicated sessions. It is important to introduce Learning Analytics systems to students in the context of their learning, i. e. in-class, to maximise buy-in.

3. Pragmatic Questions

Since technology-enhanced learning enables a wide range of detailed analytics, it may seem obvious to make ad hoc oneself the questions, "What do I want to know?" And "At which points in the learning process can these insights be gained?" This way, data can be used pragmatically, rather than focusing on overly complex topics.

4. Efficient Data Utilisation

In parallel to the conceptual work, educators might also ask themselves: What data is already available in my organisation? Can we use this data to gain valuable insights for the (further) development of learning offerings? In other words, it is worth considering whether the analytics can be linked with similar data collections at faculty or university level.

5. Targeted Navigation

The insights gained should not only be interpreted but also used to respond to issues such as learning progress or dropout rates. It is crucial to close the quality cycle. Try to not only integrate learning analytics into the quality assurance of teaching but also evaluate the achievement of goals and the effectiveness of the learning analytics initiatives themselves. The initial goals, which define where the institution aims to be in five to ten years, are decisive.

Internet Tips

Onwards to Success with Learning Analytics. An Overview of Facilitators and Barriers. ?

The Accelation Plan Educational Innovation with ICT - Learning Analytics Handout.?? ?

Good Practice Example

"Learning Analytics. Students in focus” Project. This joint project by the University of Graz, University of Vienna and Technical University of Graz helps students evaluate and adapt their learning behaviours based on data insights.

Conclusion

Incorporating Learning Analytics can significantly enhance the quality assurance of educational processes. By following these practical tips, you can effectively navigate the challenges and harness the full potential of Learning Analytics.

About the Authors

Freiberger Diane is the Managing Director of Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation - FIBAA , and Antonia Lütgens is a Consultant and Project Manager at FIBAA. They have extensive experience in quality assurance and Learning Analytics in higher education.

For more detailed insights and practical tips, you can access the full article in the German-language journal "Handbook for Quality Assurance in Studies, Research and Teaching" ("Handbuch Qualit?t in Studium, Forschung und Lehre" (HQSLF)) (in German).