Learning Analytics resources

For those looking to build their understanding of learning analytics in HE

Student Privacy Notice

• Shared as an example template.
• This notice outlines how The Open University collects and processes students’ personal data to deliver services, manage operations, and meet legal obligations.
• Key words: template, privacy notice

Improving student engagement using learning analytics, Dr Ravshonbek Otojanov, Associate Professor in Economics

• Advance HE Article
• Oct 2024
• Dr Otojanov, shares his experience with using learner analytics to improve student engagement.

Investigation into student finance for study at franchised higher education providers

• National Audit Office (NAO) report
• Jan 2024
• The report investigates weaknesses in the regulation and oversight of student finance linked to franchised higher education providers in England. The report identifies significant risks of fraud, misuse of public funds, and poor governance within franchised arrangements, where universities partner with third-party colleges to deliver courses. Rapid growth in the sector, combined with inconsistent attendance monitoring and weak regulatory controls, enabled suspicious student loan applications worth nearly £60 million. The NAO calls for stronger collaboration between the Department for Education, Office for Students, and Student Loans Company to improve accountability, data sharing, anti-fraud measures, and protection for students and taxpayers.
• Key words: Franchised Providers, Student Finance, Higher Education, Fraud Prevention, Student Loans Company, Office for Students, Governance, Attendance Monitoring, Public Funding, Regulatory Oversight

Student analytics - A core specification for engagement and wellbeing analytics

• Jisc report
• March 2023
• A practical guide for HE senior leaders on using engagement and wellbeing analytics to improve student services. Covers data governance, predictive analytics, and how commonly collected data can be used to create more responsive, scalable student support while reducing pressure on services.
• Key words: student analytics, engagement analytics, wellbeing analytics, data governance, predictive analytics, student services, higher education, data architecture, student support, Jisc

HESPA session: results from the HESPA survey about Learning Analytics 

• HESPA recorded session
• Survey carried out between 20th December 2022 to 16th January 2023. 
• The framework introduces users to the central components of a student success analytics initiative, providing a shared point of reference for institutional stakeholders involved using four central components  —Preparedness, Outcomes, Analysis, and Decisions. The framework can be used by any higher education staff member  with a role in implementing initiatives that impact student outcomes, whether the institution is already under way with student success analytics initiatives or just beginning to evaluate the use of data to inform practice, a framework can help stakeholders pause, assess, and plan.
• Key words: Learning Analytics, Higher Education, HESPA Survey, Student Outcomes, Data Analysis, Digital Planning, UK Universities, Dashboards, Institutional Strategy, Educational Technology

The senior managers' guide to learning analytics - Jisc

• Document behind a registration form.
• Summer 2022
• Learn all about learning analytics and how to assess your institutional readiness, build a business case, assess its impact and more with this in-depth guide for senior managers. This document has been commissioned as part of Jisc’s LA Cymru project, funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW) in collaboration with all the Welsh universities.

Learning Analytics Explained, Niall Sclater, University of Amsterdam

• Behind the ResearchGate log in
• Feb 2017
• An accessible introduction to learning analytics for those new to the field. Covers core concepts, definitions, and theoretical foundations, explaining how data about learners and their behaviours can be collected, analysed, and used to improve teaching, learning, and student outcomes.
• Key words: introduction, explainer, key concepts, data, higher education, foundations, research, overview, beginners.

Evaluation

Establishing a Theory of Change model -  The Centre for Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education (TASO).  

• The resource from The Centre for Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education (TASO) explains how a Theory of Change model can help higher education institutions design, implement, and evaluate effective student success initiatives. The framework encourages organisations to identify intended outcomes, understand the causes of challenges, and map the activities required to achieve measurable improvements. TASO emphasises evidence-based planning, clear assumptions, stakeholder engagement, and continuous evaluation to strengthen access, participation, retention, and progression outcomes. The model supports universities in aligning interventions with strategic goals while improving accountability, transparency, and impact assessment across widening participation and student support initiatives.
• Key words: Theory of Change, TASO, Higher Education, Student Outcomes, Widening Participation, Evidence-Based Practice, Evaluation Framework, Student Success, Strategic Planning, Impact Assessment.

Alternative resource libraries

Society for Learning Analytics Research (SoLAR) website

• The Society for Learning Analytics Research (SoLAR) website serves as the leading international hub for research, collaboration, and professional development in Learning Analytics. SoLAR brings together researchers, educators, policymakers, and technology specialists to explore how data analytics can improve teaching, learning, and student outcomes. The organisation supports conferences such as LAK and LASI, publishes research, develops open educational resources, and promotes ethical, evidence-based use of educational data and AI. The site highlights key themes including predictive analytics, personalised learning, organisational change, and data ethics, while fostering a global interdisciplinary community focused on innovation and responsible implementation in education.
• Key words: Learning Analytics, SoLAR, Educational Data, Predictive Analytics, Student Success, Artificial Intelligence, Data Ethics, Higher Education, LAK Conference, Evidence-Based Learning

4 Guiding Principles for Using Student Success Analytics - Dr Mitchell Colver.

• Blog
• Four practical principles to help student success professionals understand and responsibly apply analytics in their daily work. Offers a framework for approaching analytics with purpose, equity, and clarity, helping institutions move from raw data to meaningful action that improves student outcomes.
• Key words: guiding principles, student success, analytics strategy, institutional readiness, ethics, responsible use, frameworks, decision-making, student outcomes, practitioners

Enabling and Supporting Evidence-Based Approaches to Student Success - Dr Mitchell Colver

• Recorded TedX video
• Jun 2021
• Dr. Mitchell Colver explores how institutions can build and sustain evidence-based approaches to student success. The talk supports practitioners and leaders in understanding how to use data meaningfully, develop staff capability, and embed a culture of evidence-based decision-making across their institution.
• Key words: evidence-based practice, student success, institutional readiness, analytics strategy, staff capacity, decision-making, higher education, data culture, leadership, practitioner

Theory of Change: An Introduction - Student Engagement Evaluation and Research (STEER)

• You tube video
• Oct 2020
• A concise introduction to Learning Analytics and explains how educational institutions use learner data to improve teaching, engagement, and student success. It outlines key sources of educational data, including learning management systems, attendance records, academic performance, and student demographics. The video emphasises that Learning Analytics should support human decision-making rather than replace it, helping educators identify struggling students and personalise interventions. It also discusses ethical considerations such as privacy, consent, and responsible data use. Overall, the video presents Learning Analytics as a strategic approach to enhancing learning experiences, supporting retention, and improving institutional effectiveness through evidence-based insights
• Key words: Learning Analytics, Student Engagement, Educational Data, Predictive Analytics, theory of change

Sector examples

Creating a sense of empowerment through engagement data - HEPI

• HEPI article
• Apr 2024
• Keele case study of how a data-driven approach can support student success. In order to foster a supportive environment between students and their academic mentors, real-time engagement data is provided by StREAM to implement more nuanced and holistic approaches for individual students.
• Key words: Analytics, Learning Analytics,  Student Success, solutionpath, stream, engagement.

Frameworks and Policies

Code of practice for learning analytics - Jisc

• Guide
• Updated Sep 2026
• The guide sets out the responsibilities of educational institutions to ensure that learning analytics is carried out responsibly, appropriately and effectively.

A Framework for Student Success Analytics

• May 2022
• The framework introduces users to the central components of a student success analytics initiative, providing a shared point of reference for institutional stakeholders involved using four central components  —Preparedness, Outcomes, Analysis, and Decisions. The framework can be used by any higher education staff member  with a role in implementing initiatives that impact student outcomes, whether the institution is already under way with student success analytics initiatives or just beginning to evaluate the use of data to inform practice, a framework can help stakeholders pause, assess, and plan.
• Key words: Analytics, Learning Analytics,  Student Success, framework.

The SHEILA Framework: Informing Institutional Strategies and Policy Processes of Learning Analytics

• Paper
• Nov 2018
• This paper presents the SHEILA framework, a learning analytics policy and strategy model developed through a cross‑European research project . Adapting the RAPID Outcome Mapping Approach (ROMA), the framework is designed to guide evidence‑based decision‑making in complex institutional environments. The paper uses four case studies to illustrate how the SHEILA framework supports iterative strategic planning and policy development, particularly for large‑scale learning analytics implementation.
• Key words: strategy, policy, learning analytics, institutional adoption, analytics

Software related

HESPA session: Jisc’s new learning analytics and attendance platform

• HESPA recorded session.
• May 2025
• Lindsay Ferrie, Newcastle University and a member of the SIG Steering Group, hosted colleagues from Jisc, The University of Suffolk, Newcastle University and City, St George’s University’s for a session focussed on Jisc’s new learning analytics and attendance platform. James Hodgkin, Jisc, discussed the new features available, the importance of people at the heart of data and plans for the updated platform including student wellbeing. Matt Laidler, Sam Flowers and Lindsay spoke about Newcastle University’s learning analytics journey.

Sector examples

HESPA session: Imperial’s Learning Analytics journey

• HESPA recorded session
• May 2026
• Colleagues from Imperial will share information about their learning analytics journey, the staff and stories and how they are building a centrally managed LA product.
• Key words: learning, learner, analytics, imperial, analysis, governance, data quality, funding, technical infrastructure

Discovery to delivery: the University of Suffolk’s data quality journey with attendance monitoring

• Blog
• Oct 2024
• The article from Jisc examines how the University of Suffolk implemented attendance monitoring and learning analytics to improve data quality, student engagement, and institutional decision-making. The project required aligning data feeds, refining data structures, and standardising permissions across departments. Collaboration between technical teams, academic staff, and support services enabled the creation of accurate dashboards and automated interventions for at-risk students. The initiative improved communication, reduced staff workload, and enhanced student support processes. The article highlights the importance of high-quality data, cross-department collaboration, and analytics-driven strategies in supporting student retention, wellbeing, and overall educational success.
• Key words: Attendance Monitoring, Learning Analytics, Data Quality, Student Engagement, Student Retention, Business Intelligence, Dashboards, Higher Education, Automated Interventions, Data Integration, Institutional Collaboration

Co-creating an equality diversity and inclusion learning analytics dashboard for addressing awarding gaps in higher education

• Paper authored by Vaclav Bayer, Paul Mulholland, Martin Hlosta, Tracie Farrell, Christothea Herodotou and Miriam Fernandez. British Journal of Educational Technology
• Dec 2023
• The authors present a co‑created EDI‑focused learning analytics dashboard developed with diverse stakeholders. Through rigorous evaluation, the dashboard offers fine‑grained, course‑level insights that enable institutions to more effectively understand and address awarding gaps, contributing to a more equitable and inclusive higher‑education environment.
• Key words: awarding gap, educational inequality, underrepresented students, learning analytics, EDI, dashboards

Learning analytics to uncover inequality in behavioural engagement and academic attainment in a distance learning setting

• Article
• Nov 2019
• This study uses large‑scale learning analytics to examine the persistent attainment gap between Black and minority ethnic (BME) students and white students. The findings highlight the structural nature of the attainment gap and demonstrate how learning analytics can expose inequalities that are not explained by engagement alone.
• Key words: Attainment gap, distance learning, BME, engagement

Wellbeing

Improving student wellbeing using analytics - TASO

• Report
• Mar 2026
• The TASO report evaluates whether learning analytics can improve student wellbeing and engagement in higher education through proactive interventions. Across three randomised controlled trials at UK universities, analytics systems identified students considered at risk using attendance, engagement data, or wellbeing surveys. Institutions then used email or app-based “nudges” directing students toward support services. The findings showed no measurable improvement in attendance, engagement, continuation, or uptake of wellbeing support. The report highlights concerns about relying solely on analytics for wellbeing identification, low survey response rates, and the complexity of student mental health, while recommending more targeted, evidence-based, and context-sensitive support strategies.
• Key words: Learning Analytics, Student Wellbeing, Higher Education, Mental Health, Randomised Controlled Trials, Student Engagement, Attendance Monitoring, Predictive Analytics, Nudge Interventions, Evidence-Based Practice

Sector examples

OU Analyse

• The OU Analyse website
• The website showcases The Open University’s predictive learning analytics system designed to identify students at risk of failing and improve retention in online higher education. Using machine learning, demographic information, and virtual learning environment (VLE) activity data, the platform generates weekly risk predictions for tutors and support teams. The site highlights research, datasets, dashboards, ethical considerations, and award-winning innovations in student support. It also provides access to the Open University Learning Analytics Dataset (OULAD), widely used in educational research. Overall, the website demonstrates how data-driven interventions and analytics can enhance student success, engagement, and institutional decision-making.
• Key words: Learning Analytics, Predictive Analytics, Student Retention, Machine Learning, Open University, OULAD, Student Engagement, Virtual Learning Environment, Educational Data, At-Risk Students

Software related

HESPA session: HESPA hosts Explorance: understanding and amplifying the student voice with AI-powered qualitative analysis 

• HESPA recorded session
• May 2024
• The article examines the expanding role of Learning Analytics in UK higher education and its use in improving student engagement, retention, and academic outcomes. It highlights how universities collect and analyse learner data to identify patterns, support interventions, and inform institutional decision-making. The discussion reflects both the opportunities and challenges of Learning Analytics, including governance, ethics, data quality, wellbeing, and privacy concerns. HESPA and sector partners emphasise the importance of evidence-based approaches, collaboration between planners and academics, and effective use of dashboards and interventions. Overall, the article presents Learning Analytics as a strategic tool requiring careful implementation, evaluation, and human-centred support systems.
• Key words: Learning Analytics, Higher Education, Student Engagement, Student Retention, Data Governance, Dashboards, Academic Outcomes, Institutional Strategy, Student Wellbeing, Evidence-Based Interventions.

Five signs that can help you spot student disengagement early - Alina Tasadaq, Leeds Trinity University and Jim Keane, Jisc 

• Blog
• Sep 2026
• Drawing on insights from Leeds Trinity University, the blog explores five early indicators of student disengagement and how data-informed interventions can improve outcomes.

Seeing the whole student: insights from the know your student survey

• Jisc recorded session
• July 2026
• The know your student survey, launched by DfE student support champion for England professor Sir Steve West on university mental health day in partnership with Jisc, set out to understand how effectively the higher education sector is using data and technology to support student wellbeing, experience and progression. With responses from more than 85 institutions, the findings offer a snapshot of both progress made and challenges that remain.

HESPA session: Using learning analytics to prompt student support interventions

• HESPA recorded session.
• Jul 2024
• TASO (Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education) 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 shared their experiences of the trials, the findings, and the ongoing developments in using learning analytic data. 

Using learning analytics to prompt student support interventions - TASO.

• Report
• Feb 2024
• A TASO report examining how learning analytics can identify students at risk of withdrawing from their studies and prompt timely, appropriate support interventions. Focuses on practical application and the evidence base for using analytics to improve re-engagement and student retention.
• Key words: interventions, student support, at-risk students, withdrawal, re-engagement, learning analytics, early alert, retention, student outcomes, evidence-based

HESPA session: Developing a Theory of Change

• HESPA recorded session
• Jul 2024
• As part of a 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 led 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.

USU Student Insights Reports 2020 - from Utah State University.

• Report
• Autumn 2020
• A data-informed report from Utah State University's Center for Student Analytics, highlighting 20 key insights about student success. Findings are organised across five audiences — students, faculty, staff, university leadership, and prospective students — offering a model for institutional analytics reporting.
• Key words: student insights, data-informed, student success, institutional research, outcomes, evidence, faculty, staff, leadership, reporting

USU Student Insights Reports 2019 - from Utah State University.

• Report
• Autumn 2019
• This report distils three years of work by the Center for Student Analytics at Utah State University, presenting 20 key, data‑driven insights into student success. The findings use institutional data to illuminate not only individual student performance but also the broader health of USU as a learning community. The report positions student data as a lens through which to understand how the university fosters learning, discovery, and engagement.
• Key words: student insights, data-informed, student success, institutional research, outcomes, evidence, faculty, staff, leadership, reporting

Building institutional capacities and competencies for systemic learning analytics initiatives - Kim Arnold.

• Need to create a ResearchGate account to access.
• Conference: Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Learning Analytics And Knowledge
• Mar 2014
• There has been rapid growth in learning analytics research, though much of it remains small‑scale or focused on individual tools. This panel argues that meaningful educational transformation requires learning analytics to be scaled and embedded across entire institutions. Highlighting initiatives from the University of Wisconsin System, the Society for Learning Analytics Research, the University of New England, and Rio Salado College, the session examines how organisations are tackling the challenge of institutionalising analytics to support system‑wide improvement.

Building

HESPA session: Imperial’s Learning Analytics journey

• HESPA recorded session
• May 2026
• Colleagues from Imperial will share information about their learning analytics journey, the staff and stories and how they are building a centrally managed LA product.

Buying

HESPA session: How Oxford Brookes built a data-driven culture through BI adoption

• HESPA recorded session
• July 2026
• Hosted by Alex Cosgrove, Higher Education Account Manager at Ometis.
• Phil Atkinson, the Head of Business Intelligence and Student Reporting at Oxford Brookes shared what low adoption looks like from the inside, the changes that shifted it, and what good looks like now. He also covered the hard part: getting academics and non-analysts to use the data when data literacy is low.

HESPA session: Kortext stream for learner analytics

• HESPA recorded session
• Feb 2026
• Demo of the Kortext stream and a discussion around the approaches taken at the University of Bedfordshire and the University of Essex.

HESPA session: Implementing analytics for students’ pastoral and academic success

• HESPA recorded session
• July 2025
• Carly Foster shared insights from her 10 years of experience in implementing analytics for students’ pastoral and academic success. Going through key topics including institutional readiness, contracting and procurement, supplier types (pros and cons), implementation and evaluation you will get an overview of the educational analytics options depending on which stage you are at yourself institutionally.

HESPA session: Jisc’s new learning analytics and attendance platform

• HESPA recorded session.
• May 2025
• Lindsay Ferrie, Newcastle University and a member of the SIG Steering Group, hosted colleagues from Jisc, The University of Suffolk, Newcastle University and City, St George’s University’s for a session focussed on Jisc’s new learning analytics and attendance platform. James Hodgkin, Jisc, discussed the new features available, the importance of people at the heart of data and plans for the updated platform including student wellbeing. Matt Laidler, Sam Flowers and Lindsay spoke about Newcastle University’s learning analytics journey.

HESPA session: HESPA hosts Explorance: understanding and amplifying the student voice with AI-powered qualitative analysis 

• HESPA recorded session
• May 2024
• The article examines the expanding role of Learning Analytics in UK higher education and its use in improving student engagement, retention, and academic outcomes. It highlights how universities collect and analyse learner data to identify patterns, support interventions, and inform institutional decision-making. The discussion reflects both the opportunities and challenges of Learning Analytics, including governance, ethics, data quality, wellbeing, and privacy concerns. HESPA and sector partners emphasise the importance of evidence-based approaches, collaboration between planners and academics, and effective use of dashboards and interventions. Overall, the article presents Learning Analytics as a strategic tool requiring careful implementation, evaluation, and human-centred support systems.
• Key words: Learning Analytics, Higher Education, Student Engagement, Student Retention, Data Governance, Dashboards, Academic Outcomes, Institutional Strategy, Student Wellbeing, Evidence-Based Interventions.

Society for Learning Analytics Research (SoLAR)

• an inter-disciplinary network of researchers who are exploring the role and impact of analytics on teaching, learning, training and development. 

Jisc's learning analytics page