Week6_Tools_Techniques

= Week 6: Tools, methods, and levels of learning analytics = Date: February 27 - March 4


 * Intro: **

The tools and techniques of analytics are in a period of rapid development. Many of the tools are still single-functionality (such as [|SNAPP]), while some are multi-functional (statistical tools like [|R]), and a small number are beginning to develop into suites (see [|SAS offerings]).

In terms of methods and techniques, analytics techniques are often drawn established fields. For example, social network analysis has a rich research base that dates back to the 1960's. These techniques are today being applied to digital networks with new tools such as SNAPP and [|Gephi]. Similarly, discourse analysis has in the past been done manually (and has developed a strong base of methods/techniques). Today, discourse analysis can be enhanced through qualitative analysis tools or through visualizations such as IBM's [|ManyEyes]. The development and refinement of natural language processing promises a new era of analysis around discourse (or chunk of text - from a whitepaper to novels). Social media analytics tools ([|Omniture], [|SAS], [|Radian6]) analyze sentiment of consumers around brands or new products. Search engines [|can often anticipate] or predict a flu outbreak before the health experts. And new projects mining global data patterns attempt to anticipate changes in human wellbeing, especially in the most vulnerable populations (see [|GlobalPulse]).

By drawing on the tools and techniques from existing research fields, business intelligence, and data mining in general, learning analytics practitioners have a well-developed toolset at their disposal. This week we'll explore some of those tools.


 * Readings: **


 * Dan Suthers, A unified framework for multi-level analysis of distributed learning LAK11: []
 * View the word document below on learning analytics tools and techniques (the document was produced by David Dornan in a course I taught at [|Athabasca University on Learning Analytics]. It's a simple, but effective framework for evaluating tools for learning analytics. It is used here with David's permission):

Please stop by this page: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bkZed7zcYTGfaoBixYzm0-OTPywqCYJWZAWSEXgoEcc/edit and add your favorite tools and techniques


 * Activities this week: **

Two live sessions are scheduled this week:

1. A discussion with Shane Dawson on social network analysis using SNAPP on Tues, Feb 28 at 1 pm Mountain time ( [|http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20120221T13&p1=80] to different timezones). The session will be held here in Blackboard Collaborate: []

2. A discussion with Gardner Campbell on analytics, ethics, and the human side of learning on Thurs, Mar 1 at 1 pm Mountain time ( http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?iso=20120301T13&p1=80 to different time zones). The session will be held here in Blackboard Collaborate: []