January 21, 2019
Dramatic Use of Educational Data Mining in Corporate eLearning
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January 21, 2019
Dramatic Use of Educational Data Mining in Corporate eLearning
I am a Learning Professional with 15+ years of experience in strategizing and providing learning solutions for varied customer requirements. I work with several global customers in understanding their business challenges and proposing optimal learning solutions that are backed by apt learning strategies to enhance their employee performance. I head Tesseract Learning and we have carved a niche for ourselves in the learning space. I have a team of experienced industry experts who provide solutions to meet any customer training needs on Blended Learning, eLearning, Mobile learning, Microlearning, Game based learning, AR/VR, Adaptive Learning, Simulations, high end learning technology integrations, video and animations development. 
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Data in Day-to-Day Life

Every day 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are created and stored in databases. Most of the decision-making daily is a result of the statistical analysis. Facebook knows to suggest new friends, Netflix knows the television shows you would like, and you look up Trip Advisor to check the highest rated restaurant, betting on the statistical data that you will have a good stay.

GoodReads is another popular book recommendation engine. Its algorithm leverages the search of over 20 million different data points, considering the preferences of nearly 6 million users, as well as the rating system which is the key component of the site.

Another striking online service that makes use of data and databases is Pandora Radio. This service provides various song recommendation based on users’ music preferences.

IBM Watson, a pioneer in the field of Cognitive Medical Analysis, uses diversified medical information across the hospital branches, to help doctors save time during diagnosis.

But how is this data visualized and analyzed to provide accurate statistical information to users?

This data-informed approach is emerging from a new generation of Data Mining. Data Mining is the process of analyzing hidden patterns of data, segregating and forming meaningful relationships between them.

But, can data mining and corporate eLearning shake hands?

Data Mining in corporate eLearning

All corporate learners deserve a great learning experience, one that affords every opportunity for them to grow. But every corporate learner follows a unique roadmap to build their careers. Every L&D department in the organization needs the right data in the right format and at the time. This data enables them to understand their learners and guide them aptly on their respective learning journeys.

All said and done, educational data is huge and cannot be analyzed using spreadsheets. They need an in-depth analysis of the hidden data in order to understand learners and their learning behavior. Now, enters EDM.

Before we understand what is EDM we need to know what learner data is.

What is Learner Data?

Data helps us make connections that uncover insights about a learners’ learning behaviors. These learning behaviors when analyzed forms a pattern which helps the L&D and Instructional Designers to understand the learners’ needs. The pattern that is collected and interpreted is called “learner data”.

The learner data usually includes academic and demographic information- as well as information from assessments, online surveys and polls, leaderboards, L&D observations, and learner’s Digital Body Language.

With this in mind, let’s understand what is EDM and its uses in corporate eLearning?

Educational Data Mining

eLearning is a blessing to the data miners. eLearning has large amounts of learner data which are endlessly generated and ubiquitously available. Learner data is an exponentially growing nightmare, in which unstructured information chokes the L&D department without providing any articulate knowledge. EDM was born to tackle problems like these.

EDM is emerging as a research area with a suite of computational, psychological and research approaches for understanding how learners learn.

This now leaves us with a question how can EDM have an impact in corporate eLearning?

Three Dramatic Uses of EDM in Corporate eLearning

EDM aims at using algorithms to leverage better learning results in order to enhance learners’ decision making. Let’s see how EDM can be used in corporate eLearning.

1. Discovery of Learning Behaviors with Data Models

EDM is a unique technique that involves forming a validated model for leaner behaviors. The models are formed by the learners’ digital footprints. When these footprints are analyzed on a regular basis it forms a pattern. This pattern is called the map. L&D professionals can analyze this map to form questions about learner’s learning behavior. This technique is called Map Probing.

Using this technique, L&D professionals can build models to answer questions such as:

  • What sequence of the topic is most effective for the learners?
  • What learner actions are more associated with learning?
  • What learner actions indicate satisfaction, engagement, learning progress, etc.?
  • What features of an LMS will lead to better learning?
  • What will predict learners’ success?

2. Usage of Learning Analytics and Visual Data Analytics

EDM helps to determine the hidden learner data in the learning environment. The learner data is collected and reported by using learning analytics. The collected learner data will be in the form of tables and relationships, devoid of learner’s ability to understand it. Hence, they should be visualized in the form of graphics to tap the ability of learners to understand their progress. Thus, visual data analytics is used.

Learning and Visual data analytics apply EDM models to answer questions such as:

  • When are the learners ready to move on to the next topic?
  • When are the learners falling behind in a course?
  • When is a learner at risk for not completing a course?
  • What grade is a learner likely to get without intervention?
  • What is the best next course to be suggested to the learner?
  • Should a learner be offered additional help?

3. Instructional Principle Analysis

EDM helps to address certain questions related to instructional design principles and strategy in order to make learning environments more learner-centric. Questions such as:

  • Which instructional design practice is effective at promoting learning (e.g., microlearning vs. game-based learning)?
  • Which curriculum to follow?
  • Does the newly added curriculum work better when compared to the previous one?

EDM helps in studying the effectiveness of different learning system components and instructional practices that can contribute to the design of better learning systems. Thus, EDM will have strong implications on eLearning.

Conclusion

To cut long story short, clearly, there is a place for EDM in eLearning. As training and content move online, EDM will enable eLearning to be always assessed at all levels. L&D professionals will benefit from understanding the possibilities of the development of EDM. EDM will continue to grow in the coming years.

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