Investigating User Perceptions of Data Representations and Visualizations from Learning Analytics Reports in Online and Technology-Enhanced Courses to Develop a Best Practices Guide for Higher Education Institutes

This project will:

1. Develop or improve appropriate metrics and definitions for learning analytics reports from learning management systems to help instructors make sense of LA reports
2. Create a learning analytics best practices guide for potential use in monitoring and enhancing student online learning experiences at institutional and provincial levels.

Mixed‐method research will investigate user perception of needs from a LA system and create a guide in two ways:

1. Collecting survey and focus group data to assess instructor and student views on metrics that are available and identifying numerical or graphical representations in a dashboard to be developed or improved to inform pedagogical innovation and enhance learning experience
2. Creating a best practices guide for stakeholders – instructors, students, and administrators – to help them harness the power of learning analytics and data‐driven pedagogical decision making by going beyond superficial measures of course activity or incorrect interpretations of data.