HESPA Learning Analytics SIG Meeting

Using learning analytics to prompt student support interventions

Several Higher Education Institutions across the sector are now using learning analytics to support student success initiatives, but what works?  To explore this topic, TASO (Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education) recently commissioned two universities, Nottingham Trent and Sheffield Hallam, to carry out randomised controlled trials of different student support interventions promoted by learning analytics data.  Whilst the statistical findings of these trials found no measurable difference in post-intervention engagement by students, qualitative feedback provided a different perspective.

Colleagues from both Nottingham Trent and Sheffield Hallam will share their experiences of the trials, the findings, and the ongoing developments in using learning analytic data.

Theory of Change

As part of the trial both NTU and SHU developed a Theory of Change, which is a planning tool that can be used to support the design, delivery, and evaluation of an intervention/activity. It describes the process of change by outlining causal links between initiatives and outcomes.

Alan Donnelly, Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University will lead an interactive activity to support colleagues to understand the stages of Theory of Change and explore how it can be applied to interventions or initiatives in attendees’ own environment.

Useful resources:

• Student Engagement Evaluation and Research (STEER). (2020, October 16). Theory of Change: An Introduction [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4A6Pn1dwo8
• The Centre for Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education (TASO). (n.d.) Establishing a Theory of Change model. https://taso.org.uk/evidence/our-approach-to-evaluation/step-1-diagnose/#theory-change

Useful reading:

TASO Report: Using learning analytics to prompt student support interventions

Speakers:

Ed Foster, Head of Student Engagement and Analytics - Nottingham Trent University

Eleanor Turpin, Learning Analytics Research Manager - Nottingham Trent University

Carolyn Fearn, Head of Operations (Teaching and Learning) - Sheffield Hallam University

Alan Donnelly, Lecturer in Research Evaluation and Student Engagement – Sheffield Hallam University

Helen J Parkin, Senior Lecturer in Research Evaluation and Student Engagement – Sheffield Hallam University

Katie Smaylen, Senior Success and Engagement Manager – Sheffield Hallam University

Approximate timings:

14:00 – 14:05 Welcome, re-introduce to HESPA LA SIG and activity so far. 

14:05 - 14:10 Introduce TASO project.

14:10 - 14:20 Introduction to Ed Foster & Eleanor Turpin (NTU). NTU findings and reflections.

14:20 - 14:30 Introduction to Helen Parkin and Katie Smaylen (Hallam). Hallam findings and reflections.

14:35 - 14:45 Q&A

14:45 - 15:25 Theory of Change (interactive session). Introduce Alan Donnelly (Hallam) and Eleanor Turpin.

15:25 - 15:30 Closing remarks