Learning Analytics

Abstract

The goal of this chapter is to present and describe a relatively new research field, known as learning analytics, which focuses on use of a wide spectrum of analytical methods and techniques to analyze data coming from educational contexts. The first part of the chapter focuses on the historical context of analytics in education and introduces several research fields that participated in the creation and formation of learning analytics. At the same time, the development of learning analytics and basic related concepts are described in more detail. In the second part, the authors provide an overview of the main research fields and topics within learning analytics, including an overview of commonly used analytical instruments and systems. The final part of the chapter then focuses on challenges currently faced by the field of learning analytics, as well as on opportunities for further development and research within learning analytics in the upcoming years, which are now under development.