Workshop: Methodological Bases for the Measurement of Learning in Learning Analytics

Abstract

This Workshop focuses on the methodology of learning analytics. It aims to promote communication between two communities of scholars – learning analysts and educational measurement specialists. The argument is that strength will accrue from methodological collaboration across the fields, which share an interest in learning, a commitment to improving practice and a belief in the power of analysis. They may differ in how the construct of learning is understood, and what is understood by the term ‘measured’. Different criteria may be applied when assessing quality of data, and the standards of proof required as to the utility and interpretability of outcomes. Different data modeling techniques are used to uncover meaning in data. This workshop will provide opportunities for expert methodologists from both fields to collaborate, in the company of representatives of key stakeholders such policy makers and public officials, in the interests of improving trustworthiness, validity, reliability, utility and interpretability of analytics used in assessment and measurement of learning. A Workshop Report will summarise the opportunities for, and likely outcomes of improve collaboration between the fields, and if warranted, the organisers will lead an initiative for the establishment within SOLAR of an ongoing Special Interest Group on Measurement Analytics.