The Solution: Data Analytics
Is there a slam dunk when it comes to education innovation? If there were a sure bet that guaranteed the quickest, easiest, and most streamlined method of targeting and reaching objectives, would it be wise to buy into it or let it pass by while others capitalized on its success?
A sure thing exists; this sure thing is data analytics. When data analytics is used to feed and develop learning analytics, it cuts through the mire of superfluous tasks and guarantees that objectives are distilled, developed, and accomplished.
Do not bypass data analytics because it is a new term, new trend, or because its name suggests mathematics, algorithms, or plowing through mountains of information. In the hands of professional guidance, it is neither new, nor a burdensome mountain of work. Think of data analytics as a razor-sharp knife that trims away fat when accomplishing goals within an organization. Developing educational priorities is much easier when no time is wasted, objectives can be developed and customized according to specific learners, and best methods for implementing objectives are easily identified.
Business programs in colleges and universities are offering studies in data analytics. Businesses and organizations are using data analytics to maximize growth and return on investment. While not knowing the ins and outs of data analytics has not withheld success from learning and development professionals in the past, it has withheld speed of processes, market insight, and certain predictors from that success. Data analytics is a sure way to accelerate and refine educational innovation.
The What, Who, and Why of Data Analytics
What are data analytics?
Data analytics is the organization of systems that manage and analyze data in meaningful ways. Employing data analytics into learning management systems yields learning analytics, or the measurement, collection, analysis, and reporting of data about learners and their contexts for the purposes of understanding and optimizing learning and the environments in which it occurs.
Who Can Integrate Data Analytics into an Organization?
Knowing the hows of data analytics is not necessarily within the first steps of using data analytics in a learning system. The first step would be knowing the who of data analytics. A data analytics professional placed by a managed learning services provider such as VisionCor is the most important first step that an organization can take toward maximizing potential and minimizing capital spent on education and training efforts. A data analytics professional will put an organization on track without the expense of time and money necessary to learn how to make data analytics work within a specific program.
Why are Data and Learning Analytics Top Priority?
Once a VisionCor professional is placed to fine tune the process, all that is left is to fuel the machine with data.
With data in hand, a learning analytics information system (LAIS) will be developed. This LAIS is a framework that supports educational innovation within a learning management system (LMS). While most organizations have certain LMS components, they often do not innovate the process and cost themselves time and resources when LMS capabilities become outdated or off-target. An LAIS aligns learning analytics with learning design and improves learning interoperability, extensibility, and reusability. The LAIS framework ensures rapid development and implementation of learning analytics for instructional designers, educators, and organizational leaders. The LAIS framework provides the fastest track for reaching objectives by fine tuning LMS capabilities, refining learning design, and tracking progress.
Transforming Data Analytics into Outcomes
Knowing how to perform every task makes one a master of none. However, knowing that a VisionCor professional can organize data in such a way that both time and money are saved is a way of mastering many organization objectives. Consider the following questions when determining how important data and learning analytics are when managing an organization:
- Does my organization want education-related goals to be clear and concise?
- Does my organization have difficulty finding education and training that are customized to our specific goals?
- Does my organization spend money on different LMS platforms and materials?
- Does my organization wish to spend less time and money on education and training?
- Does my organization want to make education something that aligns precisely and specifically with organization goals and objectives?
- Does my organization want education that is reusable, extensible, and precise?
- Does my organization want every available tool in place for leadership, instructional designers, and LMS capabilities?
If “yes” is the answer to any of these questions, then VisionCor can implement a solution for education objectives, streamlining processes, and saving time, money, and resources.
Part 2 will examine how data analytics work within LMS capability in order to provide the customized and effective LAIS. This introduction is by no means comprehensive but is rather meant to provide a thumbnail sketch of why data analytics is a vital piece of guaranteed success. A VisionCor representative is waiting to discuss how our professionals employ learning analytics to streamline and strengthen systems and processes in your organization.
