Data analytics is used in a variety of areas including business, healthcare, and education. Data analytics is defined as the process of investigating raw data of various types to uncover trends and correlations, and to answer specifically crafted questions. The process of data analytics includes descriptive analytics, predictive analytics, and prescriptive analytics. These areas of analytics are used to assist business in more informed decision making and allow them to better make sense of the large volumes of data created by their organization every day.
Students today don’t learn in a linear way, which has created a disconnect between some learning strategies and student engagement and performance. Often (aside from tests and quizzes) it can be difficult to assess how well students know the information and concepts covered in traditional textbooks. For years, instructors had limited information on the time students were spending on reading and studying. Additionally, it was difficult to assess student and class performance. Another challenge was identifying specific areas where students demonstrated weaknesses or gaps in learning. These educational challenges lead to a need for better data for both students and instructors alike. The need to process data is true in many industries, including education. For this case study we will focus on the SmartBook 2.0 learning platform, how data analytics were used to drive platform design, and how data visualization is used to drive instruction and student learning.
Over the past decade McGraw Hill collected data from billions of questions answered across 90+ disciplines to study the impact of adaptive learning on student performance. This data was analyzed and used to create the framework for the SmartBook 2.0 learning platform. Key learning elements ascertained from data analysis that helped to drive design include the following:
a. the impact of metacognition on learning
b. the benefit of deliberate practice that allows students to focus on knowledge gaps and to maximize time on task
c. the instructional advantages of spaced instructional practice
d. Data analysis and analytics were used to create informed product design that allows for a better experience for students and instructors.
