Abstract:

Learners need to find suitable documents to read and prioritize them in an appropriate order. We present a method of automatically generating reading lists, selecting documents based on their pedagogical value to the learner and ordering them using the structure of concepts in the domain. Resulting reading lists related to computational linguistics were evaluated by advanced learners and judged to be near the quality of those generated by domain experts. We provide an open-source implementation of our method to enable future work on reading list generation.

Cite:

Gordon, J., Aguilar, S., Sheng, E., & Burns, G. (2017). Structured generation of technical reading lists. In Proceedings of the 12th Workshop on Innovative Use of NLP for Building Educational Applications (pp. 261-270).

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Abstract:

This qualitative study focuses on capturing students’ understanding two visualizations often utilized by learning analytics-based educational technologies: bar graphs, and line graphs. It is framed by Achievement Goal Theory—a prominent theory of students’ academic motivation—and utilizes interviews (n = 60) to investigate how students at risk of college failure interpret visualizations of their potential academic achievement. Findings suggest that visualizations only containing information about students themselves (i.e., self-focused affordances) evoked statements centered on mastering material. Visualizations containing information about students and a class average (i.e., comparative information), on the other hand, evoked responses that disheartened students and/or made them feel accountable to do better. Findings from this study suggest the following guidelines for designing visualizations for learning analytics-based educational technologies: (1) Never assume that more information is better; (2) anticipate and mitigate against potential misinterpretations—or harmful alternative interpretations—of visualizations; and (3) always suggest a way for students to improve. These guidelines help mitigate against potential unintended consequences to motivation introduced by visualizations used in learning analytics-based educational technologies.

Cite:

Aguilar, S.J. (2017). Examining the Relationship Between Comparative vs. Self‐Focused Academic Data Visualizations in At‐Risk College Students’ Academic Motivation. Journal of Research on Technology in Education. DOI: 10.1080/15391523.2017.1401498

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Abstract:

We are still designing educational experiences for the average student, and have room to improve. Learning analytics provides a way forward. This commentary describes how learning analytics-based applications are well positioned to meaningfully personalize the learning experience in diverse ways. In so doing, learning analytics has the potential to contribute to more equitable and socially just educational outcomes for students who might otherwise be seen through the lens of the average student. Utilizing big data, good design, and the input of the stakeholders, learning analytics techniques aim to develop applications for the sole purpose of reducing the classroom size to 1. Over time, these digital in- novations will enable us to do away with a model of education that teaches toward the non-existent average student, replacing it with one that is more socially just——one that addresses the individual needs of every student.

Cite:

Aguilar, S.J. (2017). Learning Analytics: At the Nexus of Big Data, Digital Innovation, and Social Justice in Education. TechTrends. DOI: 10.1007/s11528‐017‐0226‐9

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