Using Student Data as a Map, Not a Target

Session Time Slot(s): 
Special Session: 
Blended
Abstract: 

Schools often use demographic, behavioral and non-cognitive data about students to “target” at-risk learners. This is good, but it is somewhat parallel to Google Maps using the real time location data from your phone (behavioral data) coupled with factors from your profile (demographic data) added to your driving tendencies (non-cognitive data) and then calling your phone to tell you that you are lost. What is most practical is for Google Maps to aggregate your location, speed and other data to tell you which way to turn just at the right moment to find the best restaurant. How can schools similarly use student data to guide them along the path of persistence?

Extended Abstract: 

Schools collect lots of data about their students – standardized test scores, prior grades, engagement metrics from the LMS, interest inventories and included in this list would be the non-cognitive data (motivation, procrastination, availability of time, technology skills, etc.) that is sometimes collected about students.  Having all of this data about a student is good, but what would be great is making the right data available at the right time to the right person to help the student succeed.  So how do we structure the data that we have about students to be relevant and accessible across the student’s experience with the school?  Technically how can this be done?  Legally with regard to FERPA how can this be done?  Just like Google Maps is an example of big data, most people are not interested in all of the data in Google Maps, they just want their phone to tell them to turn right or left at that moment.  Similarly, how can we equip our faculty and student success coaches with the right data about students at the right time?

Position: 
2
Conference Session: 
Concurrent Session 9
Conference Track: 
N/A
Session Type: 
Solution Design Summit
Intended Audience: 
Administrators
Design Thinkers
Faculty
Students
Technologists
Other
Schedule Notice: 
Join us for three 15-minute Solution Design Summit sessions.