Overview
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Nottingham Trent University launched a learning analytics pilot in 2013, leading to an institution-wide rollout of the NTU Student Dashboard.
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The dashboard fosters dialogue between students, tutors, and support staff, positively impacting student engagement.
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The model was adapted during COVID-19 to monitor online engagement and support students remotely.
The challenge
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Adapting the learning analytics model during COVID-19 to monitor online activities and support students at-risk.
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Ensuring timely triggers, effective communication, and successful interventions while transitioning to fully online teaching.
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Addressing disparities in engagement among students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Nottingham Trent University’s approach
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Nottingham Trent University’s learning analytics model is based on Doug Clow’s Learning Analytics Cycle, emphasising timely interventions based on student engagement data.
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The focus is on “engagement” rather than student demographics, enabling both students and staff to access and use the data effectively.
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StREAM technology powers the NTU Student Dashboard, providing real-time engagement insights and facilitating targeted interventions.
- Nottingham Trent University set up a call campaign for those students with very low or low engagement for the last two weeks of the Spring term.
The impact
Adapted to online learning
Nottingham Trent University set up a virtual call centre in summer 2020 to contact students with low engagement. Adaptations in the learning analytics model enabled Nottingham Trent University to better support students during the pandemic and they are now more prepared for hybrid teaching and learning.
Improved student outreach
Nottingham Trent University were able to use StREAM to identify students most at-risk in the low and no engagement categories. They made 5,700 calls to students. From this outreach, 780 student referrals were made to support services or personal tutors.
Positive student feedback
With over 2,300 students engaged with via text and calls, Nottingham Trent University received positive feedback from 87% of students saying they appreciated the call, with 16% saying it led to a positive change in behaviour. That outreach, communication and referrals were made easier by StREAM benefitted students.
Better use of interventions
Through Nottingham Trent University’s evaluation of their use of StREAM, preliminary findings suggest that call interventions are more effective than emails in changing student behaviour. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds were more likely to be in low engagement categories, highlighting the need for targeted support.
