Orientation: Case studies in learning analytics

3. Dashboard and prescriptive analytics

Context:
Faculty of Business and Law; a learning analytics dashboard developed with students using a participatory approach. The dashboard includes descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive elements.
Objective:
The objective is to collect and analyse undergraduate students’ perceptions of the impact of using a learning analytics dashboard, focusing on its usefulness and its influence on student motivation during online and distance learning.
Data:
A sample of 30 students who used the dashboard for 4–15 weeks; data collected through a survey and interviews in which students provided feedback on the dashboard and suggestions for improvement; system activity data (logs).
Analysis:
Descriptive and inferential statistics for the analysis of closed-ended survey questions and log data; thematic analysis of responses to open-ended survey questions and interviews.
Results:
The dashboard was shown to have a positive impact on student behavior and performance. Although all dashboard functionalities were perceived as useful, particular value was attributed to prescriptive elements, especially recommendations for learning materials and the ability to contact instructors and university support services. The value of providing clear suggestions for activities that can improve success was emphasised, as well as the impact on motivation and self-regulated learning. Based on the study, further improvements to the dashboard are planned.
Full study:
Herodotou, C.; Carr, J.; Shrestha, S.; Comfort, C.; Bayer, V.; Maguire, C.; Lee, J.; Mulholland, P.; Fernandez, M. (2025). Prescriptive analytics motivating distance learning students to take remedial action: A case study of a student-facing dashboard, 15th International Learning Analytics and Knowledge Conference (LAK 2025), March 03–07, 2025, Dublin, Ireland. ACM, New York, NY, USA.