[publication] How to foster forum discussions within MOOCs: A case study #imoox #mooc

Our research work titled „How to foster forum discussions within MOOCs: A case study“ got published as part of the International Journal of Academic Research in Education. We introduce some of our experiences concerning discussion forums in MOOCs.
Abstract:

Discussion forums are an essential part to foster interaction among teachers and students, as well as students and students, in virtual learning settings. If interaction can be enhanced, this has a positive influence on motivation and finally also on dropout rates. These days, a special form of online courses, so-called MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), are popping up massively. Those courses are characterized by a high number of students. In this paper, we would like to examine discussion forums and their role concerning interaction. Therefore, Gilly Salmon’s well-known Five stage model is taken and adapted to MOOCs based on a case study. As a method, we tracked learners’ data through learning analytics applications and concluded that there is a positive correlation between reading from one side and writing in forums from the other side.

[Link to Full Paper @ IJARE]

[Link to Full Paper @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Lackner, E., Khalil, M. & Ebner, M. (2016). How to foster forum discussions within MOOCs: A case study, International Journal of Academic Research in Education, 2(2), 01‐13. DOI: 10.17985/ijare.31432

[presentation] Learning Analytics oder wenn Big Data das Lernverhalten steuert #LearningAnalytics #TUGraz

Im Rahmen der heurigen Campus Innovation darf ich durchaus kritisch das Thema Learning Analytics in Bezug auf (Hochschul-)Lehre reflektieren – bin gespannt auf die Kommentare. Hier einmal dazu der Foliensatz:

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[workshop, publication] Successful transition from secondary to higher education using learning analytics #STELA #LearningAnalytics

For the first time we introduced our project STELA to a broader publid at the 44th SEFI conference in Finland. In our main focus is the transition from secondary to higher education using learning anlaytics.
Introduction:

The economic and financial crisis is having an important socio-economic effect in Europe and is threatening Europe’s economic growth model and employment and the sustainability of Europe’s welfare model. To counter the crisis, Europe should further evolve to a knowledge- driven and technology-based economy. This evolution however causes a rise in the demand for personnel with post-secondary education diploma, since many jobs in such a knowledge en technology-drive economy require at least a postsecondary education (Carnevale & Desrochers 2003). However, during the transition from secondary to higher education a lot of high-potential students drop out (Banger 2008).

[Full Workshop publication @ ResearchGate]

Reference: De Laet, T, Broos, T.,van Staalduinen, J.-P., Leitner, P., Ebner, M. (2016) Successful transition from secondary to higher education using learning analytics. 44th SEFI Conference, Tampere, Finland [.pdf]

[presentation] Was lernen wir von Learning Analytics #keynote #LearningAnalytics

Im Rahmen der eLearning Experts Conference in Eisenstadt darf ich heute das Thema Learning Analytics umreissen. Einerseits eine Definition bringen, Möglichkeiten und Gefahren aufzeigen und abschließende Beispiele zeigen (IDER Blog, Schule.learninglab.tugraz.at) ist das Ziel des Vortrages:

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[publication] An analysis of the use and effect of questions in interactive learning-videos

Our publication about „An analysis of the use and effect of questions in interactive learning-videos“ got published in the Open Journal Smart Learning Environments.

Abstract:

This study focuses on the positioning of interactive questions within learning videos. It is attempted to show that the position of a question’s occurrence has an impact on the correctness rate of its answer and the learning success. As part of the study, the interactive learning videos in which the questions are placed are used as teaching materials with a class. The pupils have been working with the videos for around one month and some interesting results could be obtained. It is shown that questions which are asked too early in the videos are answered incorrectly more often than other questions. This manuscript also recommends an adequate positioning of the first question in learning videos. The new hypothesis that the length of intervals between popping up questions plays a minor role at rather short learning videos is constructed in this publication. Moreover, the positive impact on the long-term learning success of the participants of learning videos is determined.

[Full Article @ ResearchGate]

[Full Article @ Springer]

Reference: Wachtler, J., Hubmann, M., Zöhrer, H., & Ebner, M. (2016). An analysis of the use and effect of questions in interactive learning-videos. Smart Learning Environments, 13(3). 10.1186/s40561-016-0033-3

[CfP] Learning Analytics for Secondary and Higher Education #LearningAnalytics

STELATogether with my colleagues from the STELA project we are organising a parallel session for next year International HCI 2017 conference (9 – 14 July 2017) in Vancouver. Our session is dealing with the topic „Learning Analytics for Secondary and Higher Education“ and we are looking for contributions in this field.
If your are interested in the session we are able to send you a personal invitiation through the submission system. Therefore just send a short email to martin [dot] ebner [at] tugraz [dot] at.


Deadlines for the Call:

  • Deadline for submissions (abstract; 800 words) for review: 25 November 2016
  • Notification of Review Outcome: 23 December 2016
  • Deadline for Camera-ready version (full papers, typically 10 pages, with minimum 8 pages long, maximum 12 pages long): 10 February 2017

Please note that Papers will appear in volumes of the Lecture Notes by Springer.

[publication] Learning Analytics and Spelling Acquisition in German-A First Prototype #IdERblog

At this year HCII conference we present a short overview about the IderBlog-project, titled „Learning Analytics and Spelling Acquisition in German-A First Prototype

Abstract:

Data-driven learning in combination with emerging academic areas such as Learning Analytics (LA) has the potential to tailor students’ education to their needs [1]. The aim of this article is to present a web-based training platform for primary school pupils who struggle with the acquisition of German orthography. Our objective is the improvement in their writing and spelling competences. The focus of this article is on the development of the platform and the details concerning the requirements and the design of the User Interface (UI). In combination with Learning Analytics, the platform is expected to provide deeper insight into the process of spelling acquisition. Furthermore, aspects of Learning Analytics will help to develop the platform, to improve the exercises and to provide better materials in the long run.

[Draft version @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Ebner, M., Ebner, M., Edtstadler, K. (2016) Learning Analytics and Spelling Acquisition in German-A First Prototype. International Conference on Learning and Collaboration Technologies. pp. 405-416. Springer International Publishing

[publication] Learning Analytics in MOOCs: Can Data Improve Students Retention and Learning? #LearningAnalytics

Our publication about „Learning Analytics in MOOCs: Can Data Improve Students Retention and Learning?“ at this year ED-Media conference is now online available. The presentation slides have been published right here.

Abstract:

In order to study learners’ behaviors and activities in online learning environments such as MOOCs, the demanding for a framework of practices and procedures to collect, analyze and optimize their data emerged in the educational learning horizon. Learning Analytics is the field that arose to comply with such needs and was denominated as a “technological fix to the long-standing problems” of online learning platforms (Knox, 2014). This paper discusses the significance of applying Learning Analytics in MOOCs to overcome some of its issues. We will mainly focus on improving students’ retention and learning using an algorithm prototype based on divergent MOOC indicators, and propose a scheme to reflect the results on MOOC students

[Full publication @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Khalil, M. & Ebner, M. (2016). Learning Analytics in MOOCs: Can Data Improve Students Retention and Learning?. In Proceedings of EdMedia: World Conference on Educational Media and Technology 2016 (pp. 569-576). Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).

[publication] Engaging Learning Analytics in MOOCS: the good, the bad, and the ugly #tugraz #mooc

Our publication about „Engaging Learning Analytics in MOOCS: the good, the bad, and the ugly“ at this year END Conference in Lubijana is now online available. The presentation slides have already been published here.

Abstract:

Learning Analytics is an emerging field in the vast areas of Educational Technology and Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL). It provides tools and techniques that offer researchers the ability to analyze, study, and benchmark institutions, learners and teachers as well as online learning environments such as MOOCs. Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are considered to be a very active and an innovative form of bringing educational content to a broad community. Due to the reasons of being free and accessible to the public, MOOCs attracted a large number of heterogeneous learners who differ in education level, gender, and age. However, there are pressing demands to adjust the quality of the hosted courses, as well as controlling the high dropout ratio and the lack of interaction. With the help of Learning Analytics, it is possible to contain such issues. In this publication, we discuss the principles of engaging Learning Analytics in MOOCs learning environments and review its potential and capabilities (the good), constraints (the bad), and fallacy analytics (the ugly) based on our experience in last year’s.

[Full arcticle @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Khalil, M., Taraghi, B. & Ebner, M. (2016) Engaging Learning Analytics in MOOCS: the good, the bad, and the ugly. In:International Conference on Education and New Developments. Ljubljana, Slovenia, p. 3-7

[publication] What Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Stakeholders Can Learn from Learning Analytics? #tugraz

Our chapter about „What Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Stakeholders Can Learn from Learning Analytics?“ got published as part of the International Compendium of Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy of Learning, Design and Technology.
Abstract:

Massive open online courses (MOOCs) are the road that led to a revolution and a new era of learning environments. Educational institutions have come under pressure to adopt new models that assure openness in their education distribution. Nonetheless, there is still altercation about the pedagogical approach and the absolute information delivery to the students. On the other side with the use of Learning Analytics, powerful tools become available which mainly aim to enhance learning and improve learners’ performance. In this chapter, the development phases of a Learning Analytics prototype and the experiment of integrating it into a MOOC platform, called iMooX will be presented. This chapter explores how MOOC stakeholders may benefit from Learning Analytics as well as it reports an exploratory analysis of some of the offered courses and demonstrates use cases as a typical evaluation of this prototype in order to discover hidden patterns, overture future proper decisions, and to optimize learning with applicable and convenient interventions.

[Full Chapter @ Springer]

[Draft Version @ ResearchGate]

Reference: Khalil, M., Ebner, M. (2016) What Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) Stakeholders Can Learn from Learning Analytics? In: Spector, M., Lockee, B., Childress, M. (Ed.), Learning, Design, and Technology: An International Compendium of Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, Springer International Publishing, pp. 1-30