Learning Analytics

Learning Analytics, as defined by the Society of Learning Analytics Research (SoLAR) refers to:
“the practice of developing actionable insights through the collection, analysis and reporting of data about learners and their contexts, for purposes of understanding and optimising learning and the environments in which it occurs.”

Deakin’s vision for Learning Analytics is to create a data-informed learning ecosystem that enables teaching teams and students to harness actionable insights to improve design and delivery of learning experiences, engagement and academic success.

The dedicated adoption of Learning Analytics across the university has further been included within Deakin’s Education and Employability Guiding Plan and  Deakin 2030: Ideas to Impact Strategic Plan (PDF, 1.79MB).

The Learning Analytics program at Deakin supports the enactment of the our DeakinDesign Principles and Practices, as Learning Analytics insights support educators to make evidence-informed decisions to support high-quality learning design (reflecting the DeakinDesign ‘Scholarship’ Practice) and foster stronger relationships between students and staff (reflecting the DeakinDesign ‘Relational’ Principle).

Our Journey and Governance

In 2022, Deakin formed the Learning Analytics Advisory Group, which includes senior representatives from diverse fields. Together, they established a three-year Learning Analytics Roadmap, adopting a multi-layered approach to meet stakeholder needs and achieve Learning Analytics objectives across the university.

Learning Analytics for Teachers (LA4T) Dashboard

The first layer of analytics, LA4T (Learning Analytics for Teachers), was designed, developed, and successfully launched at the beginning of 2024. LA4T provides teachers with a comprehensive view of student engagement, allowing them to track interactions with learning resources, monitor assessment submission and grading, identify students who may require additional support and reinforce good study habits.

By providing these timely insights, LA4T helps teachers foster meaningful connections with students and support their learning journey.

Our approach

Data-Informed Ecosystem Perspective

Our vision for Learning Analytics broadens its scope to encompass the entire learning ecosystem. By adopting a data-informed approach, we aim to capture a holistic view of student experiences, extending beyond the learning management system to consider various touchpoints that contribute to each student’s journey.

Strengths-Based Approach

At the core of our Learning Analytics program is a strengths-based approach that emphasises clear expectations, care, and support from educators. Our goal is to foster a learning environment that strengthens teacher-student relationships, actively engages all students, and helps them identify knowledge gaps and prepare for assessments, ultimately enhancing academic outcomes.

Guidance for teaching teams throughout the trimester

To maximise the impact of Learning Analytics dashboards, we guide teaching teams in using data to inform their teaching practice via a unit chair intervention guidelines. These guidelines include key questions that unit chairs may have that correspond to relevant insights available in the LA4T dashboard (see Figure 1), and actionable teaching strategies for different stages of the trimester. This approach ensures that teaching strategies remain responsive to student needs and align with our commitment to quality education.

Fusion Team Structure

While the core Learning Analytics team operates within the Learning Design Team under the Deakin Learning Futures (our central Teaching and Learning unit), the initiative draws upon expertise from various disciplines across the university. This extended team comprises teachers, learning designers, project managers, scrum masters, software engineers, user interface and user experience designers, AI specialists, test analysts, and big data experts. Together, this diverse group collaborates to drive forward the implementation and development of Learning Analytics solutions, leveraging a broad spectrum of skills and perspectives and bridging the gaps between the fields of learning and analytics.

As part of our Learning Analytics initiative, we have established the DLF Champions Community of Practice (CoP). These champions play a crucial role in supporting unit chairs by addressing faculty-specific queries and assisting with interpreting and applying insights from the LA4T dashboards. Through their active participation in this CoP, they contribute to advancing the knowledge and application of Learning Analytics across Deakin. Additionally, they offer valuable insights and recommendations for continuous improvements to the LA4T dashboard, ensuring it remains a powerful and effective tool for enhancing teaching and learning outcomes.