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From prediction to impact: evaluation of a learning analytics retention program

Published: 13 March 2017 Publication History

Abstract

Learning analytics research has often been touted as a means to address concerns regarding student retention outcomes. However, few research studies to date, have examined the impact of the implemented intervention strategies designed to address such retention challenges. Moreover, the methodological rigor of some of the existing studies has been challenged. This study evaluates the impact of a pilot retention program. The study contrasts the findings obtained by the use of different methods for analysis of the effect of the intervention. The pilot study was undertaken between 2012 and 2014 resulting in a combined enrolment of 11,160 students. A model to predict attrition was developed, drawing on data from student information system, learning management system interactions, and assessment. The predictive model identified some 1868 students as academically at-risk. Early interventions were implemented involving learning and remediation support. Common statistical methods demonstrated a positive association between the intervention and student retention. However, the effect size was low. The use of more advanced statistical methods, specifically mixed-effect methods explained higher variability in the data (over 99%), yet found the intervention had no effect on the retention outcomes. The study demonstrates that more data about individual differences is required to not only explain retention but to also develop more effective intervention approaches.

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        cover image ACM Other conferences
        LAK '17: Proceedings of the Seventh International Learning Analytics & Knowledge Conference
        March 2017
        631 pages
        ISBN:9781450348706
        DOI:10.1145/3027385
        Permission to make digital or hard copies of all or part of this work for personal or classroom use is granted without fee provided that copies are not made or distributed for profit or commercial advantage and that copies bear this notice and the full citation on the first page. Copyrights for components of this work owned by others than ACM must be honored. Abstracting with credit is permitted. To copy otherwise, or republish, to post on servers or to redistribute to lists, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee. Request permissions from [email protected]

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        Publication History

        Published: 13 March 2017

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        Author Tags

        1. early alert systems
        2. learning analytics
        3. mixed-effects model
        4. predictive models
        5. student retention

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        LAK '17
        LAK '17: 7th International Learning Analytics and Knowledge Conference
        March 13 - 17, 2017
        British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

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        LAK '17 Paper Acceptance Rate 36 of 114 submissions, 32%;
        Overall Acceptance Rate 236 of 782 submissions, 30%

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        Cited By

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        • (2024)An Extended Learning Analytics Framework Integrating Machine Learning and Pedagogical Approaches for Student Performance Prediction and InterventionInternational Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education10.1007/s40593-024-00429-7Online publication date: 17-Sep-2024
        • (2024)Impact of Embedded Learning Strategy Activities: Student Engagement and PerformanceTechnology, Knowledge and Learning10.1007/s10758-023-09715-029:3(1475-1498)Online publication date: 9-Jan-2024
        • (2023)Adapting Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Using Explainable Student Agency AnalyticsPrinciples and Applications of Adaptive Artificial Intelligence10.4018/979-8-3693-0230-9.ch002(20-51)Online publication date: 29-Dec-2023
        • (2023)Development, Sustainment, and Scaling of Self-Regulated Learning AnalyticsSupporting Self-Regulated Learning and Student Success in Online Courses10.4018/978-1-6684-6500-4.ch012(255-281)Online publication date: 24-Feb-2023
        • (2023)Relations between Students’ Study Approaches, Perceptions of the Learning Environment, and Academic Achievement in Flipped Classroom Learning: Evidence from Self-Reported and Process DataJournal of Educational Computing Research10.1177/0735633123116282361:6(1252-1274)Online publication date: 8-May-2023
        • (2023)The current state of using learning analytics to measure and support K-12 student engagement: A scoping reviewLAK23: 13th International Learning Analytics and Knowledge Conference10.1145/3576050.3576085(240-249)Online publication date: 13-Mar-2023
        • (2023)A Human-Centered Review of Algorithms in Decision-Making in Higher EducationProceedings of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems10.1145/3544548.3580658(1-15)Online publication date: 19-Apr-2023
        • (2023)Reimagining the machine learning life cycle to improve educational outcomes of studentsProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences10.1073/pnas.2204781120120:9Online publication date: 24-Feb-2023
        • (2023)Using machine learning to predict student retention from socio-demographic characteristics and app-based engagement metricsScientific Reports10.1038/s41598-023-32484-w13:1Online publication date: 7-Apr-2023
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