[article] Efforts in Europe for Data-Driven Improvement of Education – A Review of Learning Analytics Research in Six Countries #LearningAnalytics #tugraz

I did an article with a hand of colleagues about “Efforts in Europe for Data-Driven Improvement of Education – A Review of Learning Analytics Research in Six Countries” for the first issue of the “International Journal of Learning Analytics and Artificial Intelligence for Education (iJAI)“.

Abstract:

Information and communication technologies are increasingly mediating learning and teaching practices as well as how educational institutions are handling their administrative work. As such, students and teachers are leaving large amounts of digital footprints and traces in various educational apps and learning management platforms, and educational administrators register various processes and outcomes in digital administrative systems. It is against such a background we in recent years have seen the emergence of the fast-growing and multi-disciplinary field of learning analytics. In this paper, we examine the research efforts that have been conducted in the field of learning analytics in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Germany, Spain, and Sweden. More specifically, we report on developed national policies, infrastructures and competence centers, as well as major research projects and developed research strands within the selected countries. The main conclusions of this paper are that the work of researchers around Europe has not led to national adoption or European level strategies for learning analytics. Furthermore, most countries have not established national policies for learners’ data or guidelines that govern the ethical usage of data in research or education. We also conclude, that learning analytics research on pre-university level to high extent have been overlooked. In the same vein, learning analytics has not received enough focus form national and European national bodies. Such funding is necessary for taking steps towards data-driven development of education.

[article @ journal’s homepage]

[article @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Nouri, J., Ebner, M., Ifenthaler, D., Saqr, M., Malmberg, J., Khalil, M., Bruun, J., Viberg, O., González, M., Papamitsiou, Z., Berthelsen, U. (2019) Efforts in Europe for Data-Driven Improvement of Education – A Review of Learning Analytics Research in Six Countries. IN: International Journal of Learning Analytics and Artificial Intelligence for Education (iJAI). 2019(1). pp. 8-27

[publication] The Maker Movement. Implications of new digital gadgets, fabrication tools and spaces for creative learning and teaching

Together with Swapna Kurma and Sandra I did an short intrdocution to the increasing maker movement which was published right now: “The Maker Movement. Implications of new digital gadgets, fabrication tools and spaces for creative learning and teaching“.

The “Maker Movement” deals with innovative forms of production and do-it-yourself work. It is not only a way for new business models and developments, e.g. using 3D print or other new digital tools and gizmos, but also influencing education. This paper introduces several diverse terms (from FabLabs to Hackerspaces) and gives insights into background, practice and existing experiences from Maker Movement in educational settings amongst all age groups. As a conclusion, the authors present reasons why practitioners and researcher should consider its educational potential. Besides its creative and technological impacts, learning by making is an important component of problem-solving and relating educational content to the real world. Besides this, digital tools for making are not expensive, for example apps for mobile devices or rents for 3D printer (compared with desktops in 1:1 settings). The Maker Movement is seen as an inspiring and creative way to deal with our world, it is aware of ecological challenges and of course, and it is able to develop technological interest and competences casually.
Finally, the authors give recommendation for reading for all who got interested in making.

Bildschirmfoto 2014-07-04 um 23.16.56
Reference: Schön, Sandra; Ebner, Martin & Kurma, Swapna (2014). The Maker Movement. Implications of new digital gadgets, fabrication tools and spaces for creative learning and teaching. In: eLearning Papers, 39, July 2014, pp.14-25., URL: https://www.openeducationeuropa.eu/en/article/Learning-in-cyber-physical-worlds_In-depth_39_2?paper=145315