What works when introducing an institutional learning analytics platform?

The University of Bedfordshire reflect on their implementation of the StREAM student engagement analytics platform across the wider university and share 10 recommendations for introducing a new learning analytics system.

September 23, 2024

StREAM

Kortext

Authored by:

Dr Steve Briggs, Director of Learning and Teaching Excellence
Tai Luong, Learning Analytics Business Manager
Dr David Pike, Head of Digital Learning
Ruth Bourne, Registrar and University Secretary
Minesh Tailor, Chief Information Officer

The University of Bedfordshire has been using StREAM (known as MyEngagement) in the Faculty of Health and Social Science (HSS) since Academic Year 2022/23. This pilot was funded by Health Education England as part of a project to support nursing student retention.

In June 2023, we decided to expand use of MyEngagement to include all four of the University’s faculties. The University of Bedfordshire had four overarching strategic objectives for introducing MyEngagement:

Identify students at risk of withdrawal
Inform the targeting of support for students at risk of withdrawal
Streamline Personal Academic Tutor interaction and referral recording system
Enhancing our B3 metrics to deliver successful outcomes for all students.

For this case study we reflected on the 2023/24 Academic Year, considering what expedited our MyEngagement implementation and exploring aspects we might approach differently in the future. Based on this, we share ten recommendations for others who are in the early stages of planning to introduce a new learning analytics system.