Intro to Learner Analytics (10 pts)

This assignment introduces the notion of learner analytics as a subset of EDS that focuses primarily on predicting learner success. The reading reviews some ideas we have already read about and the assignment will probably not take as long as the previous ones (that is okay--we are midway in the course).  

While the article uses the term learning analytics we will use the more specific term learner analytics in this assignment. Upon completion, you should be able to:

• Articulate and discuss learner analytics, success prediction, and related EDP practices, and their relevance to you.
• Articulate and discuss well-known learner analytic initiatives and their relevance to you.

ENGAGE WITH THE READING  (REQUIRED, BY DUE DATE)

1.  Access and read/review the paper.  Click here to access Mattingly, Rice, and Berge (2012). Download Mattingly, Rice, and Berge (2012).
    
2. Summarize Considerations for Learner analytics and rank relevance: Mattingly, Rice, & Berge present three considerations for developing learner analytics: Processes and Standards, Tools and Resources, and Planning and Implementation. Write at least a paragraph about these and their relevance while attempting to focus on learner analytics and success prediction.  Start with the one that appears most relevant and make it clear why it is the most relevant.
3.  Summarize Learner Analytics Initiatives  and rank relevance.   Mattingly, Rice, & Berge discuss several examples of initiatives of learner analytic systems: Michigan's E-Coach, Woolongong's GSM Equalla, Purdue's Signals, and the UMBC analytic system. The summaries are rather brief so you may also wish to consult Wright et al. (2014; Michigan Download Wright et al. (2014; Michigan
   ), Olmos & Corrin (2012; GSM Links to an external site.), Arnold and Pistilli (2012; Signals) Download Arnold and Pistilli (2012; Signals)
   , and Dietz-Uhler and Hurn (2013, multiple Download Dietz-Uhler and Hurn (2013, multiple
   ).  Write at least a paragraph about these initiatives and their relevance.  Start with the one that appears most relevant and make it clear why it is the most relevant. If learner analytics is not relevant to you, write it in a way that might show a read that you are knowledgeable about these initiatives and explain why they are not relevant to you
4.  Complete the survey for this assignment.  There is a brief multiple choice survey used to provide participatory analytics.  It is not optional and it is located here.  If you change your ranking please retake the survey.

LOCATE AND SHARE EXTERNAL RESOURCES, PUBLISH, AND SUBMIT (OPTIONAL, BY THE DUE DATE)

This is a new activity that you will do every week going forward. It is optional for the non-credential students.

2. Search the Internet for relevant resources.  Use Google Scholar and the links on the Resources Classwiki and begin searching for external resources that are relevant to your EDS Challenge and your professional roles and goals.  These can be articles, podcasts, websites, slideshares, etc. Spend enough time to find ones that are relevant and then engage with them.  If you find useful directories to multiple resources, please insert them at the top of the classwiki. Because this paper is relatively new and widely cited you may need to do some digging. If you can't find anything that is relevant just says so.
3.  List and annotate least three relevant external resources.  Insert an appropriate header.  Insert the URLs for at least three external resource that are particularly relevant to your challenge, roles, and goals. Add an annotation indicating how the article is relevant to you and more generally.  List them in order of relevance and make it clear why the first one is most relevant. If you plan to write the optional literature review paper, write these as paragraphs closer to how they might appear in a literature review paper.
4.  Share your most relevant resource.  Copy and past your most relevant resource and annotation with the class and paste it under the appropriate header for this week on the classwiki.
5.  Refine your EDS Challenge.  You should be able to further refine your EDS challenge using insights gained from interacting with the paper.
6. Save, publish, and submit (by the due date).  

INTERACT WITH PEERS (REQUIRED, BEFORE AND AFTER THE DUE DATE)

This is the same as in the previous assignment except that a peer promotion element was added.

1. Consider posting a question to the instructor and your peers.  Try to come up with a question that this assignment raised for you.  Post it as a comment to your wikifolio. It is best to write the question in a way that leads others to read your wikifolio.
2.  Read and discuss peer wikifolios and "like" the comments of peers.  Examine and comment on at least four of your peers.  . Post questions, get discussion going, etc.
3.  Respond to comments and questions.  Be sure to go back to your own wikifolio and respond to comments and questions.

REFLECT ON YOUR ENGAGEMENT (REQUIRED FOR CREDENTIAL STUDENTS AND BADGES, WITHIN ONE WEEK OF THE DUE DATE)

1.  Critical engagement: How suitable was your EDS challenge and professional context for learning the big ideas this week?  Did your classmates have a challenge and a context that were more directly relevant?    You are not being asked to criticize your understanding or your work; rather you are critiquing the suitability of your professional context for learning to use the knowledge of EDS that we were introduced to this week.
2.  Collaborative engagement.  Review the comments from your classmates and reflect on any insights that emerged in the discussions, anything particularly useful or interesting.  Single out the peers that have been particularly helpful in your thinking, both in their comments and from reading their wikifolios.  Your goal each week should be to get recognized in the reflection on collaborative engagement by your peers.
3. Consequential engagement.  What are the consequences of what you learned this week for your professional role and for educational professionals in general. What are the broader consequences of these ideas?  Try to be specific in your examples but general in your thinking.