The scalable implementation of predictive learning analytics at a distance learning university: Insights from a longitudinal case study

• Published in: The Internet and higher education 2020-04, Vol.45, p.100725, Article 100725
• Main Authors: Herodotou, Christothea, Rienties, Bart, Hlosta, Martin, Boroowa, Avinash, Mangafa, Chrysoula, Zdrahal, Zdenek
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Distance learning; Higher education; OU Analyse; Predictive Learning Analytics (PLA); Scalable implementation
• ISSN: 1096-7516; 1873-5525
• DOI: 10.1016/j.iheduc.2020.100725

A vast number of studies reported exciting innovations and practices in the field of Learning Analytics (LA). Whilst they provided substantial insights, most of these studies have been implemented in single-course or small-scale settings. There are only a few studies that are large-scale and institutional-wide adaptations of LA and have explored the stakeholders' perspectives (i.e., teachers, students, researchers, management) and involvement with LA. This study reports on one such large-scale and long-term implementation of Predictive Learning Analytics (PLA) spanning a period of 4 years at a distance learning university. OU Analyse (OUA) is the PLA system used in this study, providing predictive insights to teachers about students and their chance of passing a course. Over the last 4 years, OUA has been accessed by 1159 unique teachers and reached 23,180 students in 231 undergraduate online courses. The aim of this study is twofold: (a) to reflect on the macro-level of adoption by detailing usage, challenges, and factors facilitating adoption at an organisational level, and (b) to detail the micro-level of adoption, that is the teachers' perspectives about OUA. Amongst the factors shown to be critical to the scalable PLA implementation were: Faculty's engagement with OUA, teachers as “champions”, evidence generation and dissemination, digital literacy, and conceptions about teaching online. •This study describes a large-scale, longitudinal PLA implementation.•It presents lessons learnt from the 4-year enactment and evaluation of OUA.•Faculty, champions, and evidence as facilitating scalability.•Conceptions of teaching and digital literacy affecting teacher's adoption.