ProjectProject

Investigating the application of IT generated data as an indicator of learning and teaching performance in higher education

Project Information

Year Funded:
2007
Grant (ex GST):
$138,883
Project Status:
Completed
Program:
Competitive Grants
Project Keywords:
Cognitive engagement, Data mining, Performance indicators, Satisfaction, Sense of community, Standards
Project Discipline:
Non-disciplinary

Institutions

  • Queensland University of Technology (Lead)
  • University of British Columbia (Canada)

Project Leader

  1. Professor Erica McWilliam
    Queensland University of Technology
    e [dot] mcwilliam [at] qut [dot] edu [dot] au

Project Outcome

QUT doctoral research has established the potential for existing LMS based user-data sets to inform learning and teaching practices. These data sets are (a) scalable (b) non-invasive and (c) allow teachers to evaluate levels of student engagement and identify students requiring additional learning support in a just-in-time manner. This project seeks to extend this work in order to provide an institutional capacity to utilise this data as lead indicators of student engagement and satisfaction.

Project Methodology

The project methodology incorporates the following stages:
  1. Scoping and benchmarking - Current levels of ICT data capture and reporting processes available within QUT and UBC will be determined. From this analysis additional data mining processes will be developed to extract any supplementary data. An online survey assessing student satisfaction, engagement and community will be developed.
  2. Determination of correlations - Students at QUT and UBC will be invited to participate in the study via the completion of an online survey. The extracted IT data will be correlated with the results from the online survey. Relationships between data sources and the measured scales will be determined through appropriate statistical measures.
  3. Policy and broader implementation - The findings emerging from the study will be used to develop policies and recommendations relating to student evaluations designed to enhance the student learning experience. A national and international project team has been established to evaluate the project and to facilitate dissemination of outcomes.

The information on this project's page was correct at the time of funding. Changes may have occurred since.

Resources

Investigating the application of IT generated data as an indicator of learning and teaching performance

Resource Information

Year Published:
2008
Author/s:
Dr Shane Dawson, Professor Erica McWilliam
Institutions:
Queensland University of Technology (Lead)

Publications

File Size
Final Report748.76 KB

The information on this project's page was updated 1 April, 2009.

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