Edtech has changed the way the teaching and learning process works. Before this happened, if a teacher wanted to diagnose a child’s reading difficulties or tutor those on the brink of academic failure, they had to use human ingenuity to get things done. Or they had to manually calculate a mountain of data to gain some insight into the situation. But with the advent of learning analytics, all of that has changed.
Learning analytics are web-based measurements and reporting about student learning that is intended to help teachers improve the knowledge and skill acquisition of their students. This maximizes student learning potential while enhancing teaching and delivery methods. Though its application to education is relatively new, scientific disciplines have been using it for over forty years. Expansion into scholarship was birthed by advanced technology, and the data trails learners leave while using the internet. The data provides several benefits to aid educators and students.
Educators can identify the potential for student dropout.
Statistics have always been able to reveal the academic proficiency rate at any K-12 school. However, this number gives teachers very little information on what they could do differently to engage students in the material. With the new data analytics becoming far more detailed, educators and administrators can start to create a clearer picture.
For example, they may be able to identify the key warning signs that a student is on the brink of failing a course and leaving the school altogether. By offering academic support at a critical time, teachers might be able to help prevent students from dropping out and increase the overall graduation rate.
Students gain more hands-on training.
Overall, advanced technology and data analytics are demonstrating how students learn best, giving them a chance to practice their skills in a more meaningful capacity. As technology further develops, students gain more opportunities for hands-on learning experiences. The chance to practice their skills in a tangible way could potentially lead to greater success on the job site in the future. By the time they graduate, they have more practice making decisions that lead to successful professional interactions.
Data analytics promises to make major changes to the way K-12 functions in the coming years. Even now, educators and administrators are using this information to craft a more meaningful and long-lasting education that could translate into greater degrees of academic success. These statistics are useful for every party involved, and it’s time that we started to take these trends more seriously.
