A policy briefing paper arising from the discussions will be published by the LACE consortium.
Agenda
09.30 Welcome coffee
10.00 Welcome and introduction to the event by Julie Ward, MEP for the North West of England and member of the Culture and Education Committee
Robert Madelin, Director-General, Directorate General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG Connect)
Prof. Dragan Gašević, Chair in Learning Analytics and Informatics, University of Edinburgh and President Elect of the Society for Learning Analytics Research Learning analytics are more than measurement
11.00 Coffee
11.30 Introduction to European Commission supported initiatives related to the use of learning analytics and educational data in Schools, Universities and Workplace Training.
Dr. Hendrik Drachsler, Open University, The Netherlands (LACE) Introducing the Learning Analytics Community Exchange project
Dr. Michael Kickmeier-Rust, Knowledge Technologies Institute, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria (Lea’s Box) Little Girls and Big Data – Tools for Practice-centered Learning Analytics
Dr. Manolis Mavrikis, Institute of Education, University College London, UK (PELARS) Learning Analytics for Exploratory and Experiential learning – potential and pitfalls (iTalk2Learn, M C Squared, PELARS)
Dr. Marieke van der Schaaf, Maastricht University, & Denise Janssen, Mateum, The Netherlands (WatchMe) Improving Workplace-Based Learning
12.30 Lunch
13.30 Using learning analytics effectively and ethically in schools, universities and workplace learning - recommendations for policy
During this afternoon discussion and review session, participants in three separate discussion groups will work together to review specific issues related to the use of learning analytics in schools, universities and workplace training.
Schools:
Moderator: Peter Karlberg, Skolverket/Swedish National Agency for Education LACE Project - Schools
Rapporteur: Patricia Wastiau, European SchoolNet
Universities
Moderator: Tore Hoel, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, Norway LACE Project - Universities
Rapporteur: Rebecca Ferguson, Open University, UK LACE Project - Universities
Workplace
Moderator: Fabrizio Cardinali, Skillaware Performance Support, Italy LACE Project - Workplace Learning
Rapporteur: Marieke van der Schaaf, Universiteit Utrecht, The Netherlands WatchMe Project
15.00 Coffee
15.30 Report back from each working group with main points and policy recommendations emerging from the discussion.
16.00 Conclusion and next steps
16.30 Close of event
This event is also supported by the European Schoolnet, a network of 31 Ministries of Education and coordinator partner in numerous EU-funded projects in the domain of youth/education.
Background
Learning analytics enables student-centred education
We all learn in different ways, at different speed, with different preferences. What if the education system became learners'-centred, and individual progress was monitored and supported? Learning analytics examines solutions for analysing learner-produced data, and constructing models to discover information and social connections for predicting and advising people's learning.
As this excellent infographic shows, traditional classroom is like riding on a bus, finishing all in the same line, regardless.
So, how can everyone progress at his/her own pace with individually tailored support where needed? Digital technology allows for real-time monitoring and guidance of each learner's progress by testing results against inter-disiciplinary knowledge acquisition patterns, making use of big data sets. Therefore it can provide personnalised recommendations and learning becomes more traceable and transparent. Because in a learning cycle, feedback is crucial - and LA can deliver that instantly, supporting the student and the teacher alike. Thanks to recommendations, future learning scenarios could then be optimised and put into practice. It is the prime example how technology could enable learning in schools towards 21st century skills for life and work. A promise of inclusive school where all kids can progress at their own pace as their talents unfold, of work environment where upskilling process "grows" with the worker, by being adaptive and responsive.
Data policies and digital learning
Given the massive dimensions of education systems, what is processed becomes big data environment. Questions arise as to security, privacy, ethics of using student/private data, solid material gathers for evidence-based policies that public sector requires. Europe's high-quality education system combined with highly innovative technologies can be the driver for overcoming the skills gap and contribute to data-driven economy. This is why the workshop will examine the real added value of data issues as integral part of the future of learning opportunities.
Learning Analytics on DG CONNECT R&I agenda
DG CONNECT projects portfolio reflect the manifold applications of learning analytics that EU supports, from bettering the analysis and creating innovative learning environments, through adult learning to leveraging educational policies for 21st century:
LACE (Learning Analytics Community Exchange) explores plausible futures for learning analytics abd educational data mining by combining the creation of imaginative scenarios with participatory workshops and structured methods to inform future research and policy agenda. It integrates communities working on LA and EDM from schools, workplace and universities by sharing effective solutions to real problems.
LEA's BOX - aims to make educational assessment and appraisal more goal-oriented and beneficial for students and enable support on the basis of a wide range of information about learners for teachers abd other educational stakeholders. The project adapts the LA tools to specific context of a given school, allowing thus for needs analysis, adaptation and better uptake of new technologies.
WATCHME - deploys Learning Analytics tools to deliver personnalised learning and enhance Quality of Experience through workplace-based Just-in-Time feedback and assessment
PELARS - finds ways of generating analytics (data about learning process abd analysis of this data) which helps learners and teachers by providing feedback from hands-on project based and experential learning situations
DG CONNECT has a long-standing record of supporting ICT in education. For a full overview of digital learning project portfolio visit the TEL research and innovation section on DAE.
This event is supported by the European Schoolnet, a network of 31 Ministries of Education and coordinator.partner in numerous EU-funded projects in the domain of youth/education.