Horizon's Report - Data Driven Learning and Assessment

Data Driven Learning and Assessment
Over the past three weeks, we have looked into the Horizon's Report.  The report outlines different educational technology trends that are set to make an impact in the coming years.  The first two weeks we outlined the two fast trends of online learning and learning spaces.  Last week we focused on a mid-range trend of Open Educational Resources (OER).  This week is a mid-range trend of using learning analytics to drive instruction.

In the past couple years learning analytics has grown by leaps and bounds.  What is meant by learning analytics is any data that is produced after a learning activity.  For instance, a student could finish a lesson in Khan Academy and complete an assessment.  After completing the assessment,  the teacher can get data that includes what the student knows and does not know about the process, standard, strand, etc...  The data produced from some of the assessments today is incredible.  It has gotten so advanced that after the assessment, a program can move the students along on a learning path.  If a student needs to redo certain parts of the process, it knows to do that.  If the student can move on to the next process, the program knows where to go.

I think we'll see more and more programs similar to Khan Academy using learning analytics to drive instruction.  Whether it be a self-paced course, or teacher-led, the learning analytics are a valuable piece of data.