Research Blog

There is enormous hype around the potential of Learning Analytics to impact learning. The hype is taking us ahead of the research, warns Barbara Wasson, Director of The Centre for the Science of Learning & Technology (SLATE).

Wasson was recently interviewed by journalist Tore Brøyn for the Journal, Better Schools (BedreSkole nr. 3-2016).  

LA is complex

Brøyn explains that the field of Learning Analytics (LA) is complex. LA’s basic premise is to collect and analyse data to better understand and ultimately improve how students learn. Advances in technology have dramatically increased how data can be both collected and analysed. Wasson underlines that while the potentials are tantalising, as yet there are relatively few actual studies on the impacts of LA on learning and teaching.

 SLATE aims to make a contribution to this young and growing research field by helping to building greater competency and thereby enabling better decision-making capacity.

 The article includes some examples of potential uses for LA in Norwegian schools include:

To adapt pedagogic programme ware so that it constantly assesses and adjusts to each student’s levelTo inform teachers about student progress so that teaching can be optimised for group and individual needsTo predict likely learning progressions

 Many of the presentations at SLATE’s official opening 9 June 2016 underlined that it is as yet unclear how LA can be used most advantageously. SLATE’s research activity aims help clarify some of these issues and will help to build national competency in this area. Wasson underlines that it is important to maintain a healthy scepticism to the hype that has built-up around “Learning Analytics”. She highlights that there is much we do not know about learning itself or about how technology may support learning. She says that it is therefore even more of a stretch to say that better learning will result from collecting and analysing data from learning situations. Much more research and impact studies need to be done.

Pressures to invest

Wasson expresses some concern that education authorities are facing growing pressure from Ed Tech industries to invest in products that include LA options without there being sufficient research assessing the impact of such tools. She hopes that SLATE research will be able to provide research-based input into the debate.

Read more in the article (in Norwegian).Listen to Barbara discussing some of these issues in an interview with LACE.