Two current trends in technology-enhanced learning systems that are now starting to gain exposure and adoption are Learning Analytics and the SCORM upgrade/replacement, TinCan, also known as xAPI.

Learning Analytics is the application of marketing-style analysis to data generated by learners. It aims to capture what tasks a learner has performed and build profiles of activity and end results in order to try and see what kinds of behaviour and activity lead to learning success. Additionally, it seeks to flag up learners who are perhaps struggling with work, which might offer a teacher or trainer the chance to intervene with more support.

Learning Analytics does have numerous issues around things like capture of data and privacy-protection, and many organisations and leaders are still debating the ethics and policies that should guide its implementation. However, it does seem like an efficient and effective way to capture and analyse more about learners.

TinCan / xAPI is based on and extended from the popular SCORM course specification, breaking free from the confines of a closed delivery system such as an LMS. It allows practically any type of interaction, both on and offline, to be recorded against a user’s learning record. For example, using the simple language-like syntax of “John read a research paper”, or “Mary took test 1 with a score of 10”, TinCan can capture data which can then be analysed using a variety of different models to discover things like content or activity effectiveness. The data retrieved is then stored in a Learning Record Store (or LRS), which can be incorporated into the LMS.

In combination, these two methods of data-capture and analysis offer a new method to gain insight into the way that learners learn and what kinds of activities and events benefit or hinder learning. This means reduced costs for you when developing learning content, as the most effective activities and content types for your audience can be easily discovered. It also brings better outcomes for learners, as those who are struggling with content can be identified and given extra support, while those who are not challenged enough can be presented with more challenging work to do.

Find out more about Learning Analytics and TinCan, or about implementing an LRS within your organisation: contact us today for advice.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The post Learning Analytics and TinCan / xAPI: The basics appeared first on Webanywhere.

In eLearning, there’s actually plenty of ways to gather accurate data, without even having to consult employees for feedback. The new technology, TinCan, also known as xAPI can capture data which can then be analysed. The data retrieved is then stored in a Learning Record Store (or LRS), which can be incorporated into the LMS.

xAPI essentially measures data in the background without interfering with the training process. The data that can be measured varies hugely, from how long people take to finish sections to something as specific as where users are looking on a page. It’s a standardised language that adapts to existing systems, and can integrate with basically anything (it’s even used by the US military in shooting ranges to measure target accuracy and suggest changes in stance!).

So that’s how to gather data, but how do you analyse it? Well, there are some fairly basic assumptions that are easy to spot. If learners linger on a question, clearly it’s harder, or takes more time to process. But that kind of assumption might ignore something like the page taking longer to load, or that the system may become unresponsive. You have to pair data with experience, so if you notice a trend, investigate it rather than make the assumption. The data you gather will be specific to your industry, so try to be smart about knowing what is useful data and what is merely noise.

But it’s more than just analysing the system. In the same way a teacher can monitor a pupil’s progress, so too can an employer monitor employee learning. You might notice that a certain member of staff is blasting through courses that interest them, and you can meet with them to discuss perhaps shifting their focus onto areas they seem to care about. You might have an employee who is regularly roadblocked on certain issues, or who struggles with certain types of learning. You can then redirect their efforts into either new methods of learning or into new areas that avoid these blind spots.

Data analysis will allow you to exceed the status quo and push into new, more productive areas of learning and development. There’s an untapped skill in everyone, and by finding the patterns you can unveil your employees’ hidden talents and bring them to the surface. You need to start the research now, so that in the future the plans and changes you implement are the best they can be.

Webanywhere can help provide the software and support needed to build an LMS with xAPI tracking. If you’re interested in finding out how, contact us and we’ll be in touch about how Totara and  xAPI and a tailored LMS could help you.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

The post Learning Analytics and xAPI – How to Turn data into Talent appeared first on Webanywhere.