About: Know-Your-Data Module 4 - Ethical Use of Data for Learning Analytics
Outcomes:
  • Understand what Learning Analytics in Higher Education are, how they are gathered, and what they are used for.
  • Appreciate the nature of learning analytics as an emerging form of research that needs a set of ethical principles to guide their use.
  • Be able to apply ethical principles in their institutions.
  • Engage with a draft learning analytics policy and student guide for their institution .

The foci of this engagement are:
  • An introduction to Learning Analytics in Higher Education in South Africa.
  • Discussion of guiding principles that support the ethical use of data to support student success.
  • Examination of learning analytics policy and student guide templates.

Learnings:
  • Apply guiding principles for the ethical use of data in their institution.
  • Consider how to address ethical concerns in their institution.
  • Develop an understanding of how to adapt a sample learning analytics policy for your institution.
  • Develop an understanding of how to adapt a sample student guide for your institution.

Certificate of Completion:
To receive your Certificate of Completion, please evaluate this module and complete the five true/false questions.

Focus areaStudent Support
Mode of deliveryCampus
Theory of ChangeKnowing
DifficultyBasic (No prior knowledge required)
Learning approachTransformative (Authentic learning)

Introduction

Welcome to this module on the ethical considerations we need to consider when collecting data for improving student outcomes. Within the Siyaphumelela network, we should understand that learning analytics is an emerging form of research that needs a set of ethical principles to guide its use.

Throughout the session, you’ll work alongside experts and peers, participating in breakout sessions to discuss the ethical issues involved in the collection of student data, and sharing how institutions are solving the challenges they face. 

By the end of the module, you will have a better understanding of the guiding principles for the collection of student data and have considered how your institution might adopt a learning analytics policy and student guide to ensure that the data collected is treated ethically and transparently.
Click or tap to view the presentation below.
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Activity 1: The GuidingPrinciples
Suggested time:
15 minutes
Task:
In your break-away room, review the seven guiding principles that support the ethical use of data to support student success and answer the following questions:
  • Identify which guiding principles are of special relevance in your institution. Why?
  • Which principles align with your current practices, and which might need more focus?
  • How have you or how are you planning to address the ethical issues raised by learning analytics in your institution?
Your team will be asked to discuss a single takeaway from your discussion after a short break.
Learnings:
  • Apply guiding principles for the ethical use of data in their institution.

Ethical Issues Raised by Learning Analytics



Activity 2: Ethical Issues Raised by Learning Analytics
Suggested time:
15 minutes
Task:
In your break-away room, review the ethical issues raised by Learning Analytics and answer the following questions:
  • How can your institution ensure the ethical collection, use, and analysis of student data?
  • What policies or practices could be implemented to mitigate risks such as data misuse or bias?
  • How might lecturers be involved in ensuring that learning analytics are used to benefit student success without reinforcing inequalities?
Your team will be asked to discuss a single takeaway from your discussion.
Learnings:
  • Consider how to address ethical concerns in their institution.
Resources
Activity 3: Model Institutional Learning Analytics Policy
Suggested time:
10 minutes
Task:
In your break-away room, download and skim through the "Module Institutional Learning Analytics Policy" document in the above Resources and answer the following questions:
  • How would this draft policy document fit with your institutional policies?
  • What issues does it raise that you would need to attend to in your institution?
Your team will be asked to discuss a single takeaway from your discussion.
Learnings:
  • Develop an understanding of how to adapt a sample learning analytics policy for your institution.
Activity 4: Model Student Guide to Learning Analytics
Suggested time:
10 minutes.
Task:
In your break-away room, download and skim through the "Model Student Guide to Learning Analytics" document in the Resources above, as an example of a guide for students. Answer the following questions:
  • How would this draft guide work in your institution?
  • What issues does it raise that you would need to attend to in your institution?
Your team will be asked to discuss a single takeaway from your discussion.
Learnings:
  • Develop an understanding of how to adapt a sample student guide for your institution.

Further Reading

If you would like more details please read Saide's working document "Use of Learning Analytics in SA HE" in the Resources above.

Guidance and feedback

The facilitators will discuss how you might take the ideas in this module forward. For example, some Siyaphumelela 2.0 institutions have developed policies and guides. Would you like Saide to share institutional guidelines/policies with all current partners?
Certificate of Completion: Please evaluate this module and complete a quiz.