Individualized learning has become increasingly important. Learners want plans and classes that allow them to learn at their own pace, in a style that fits their needs. However, creating an individualized education solution for every learner would be a tedious or even impossible task without the assistance of tools like a Learning Management System (LMS).
LMS data analytics provide immediate feedback on a learner's progress and adjust their educational program to match the solutions that are most effective for a specific learner.
What Are Learning Management System Analytics?
LMS analytics gather, analyze, and report on learning. An effective LMS analytics system creates more effective, data-driven online learning solutions by showing you which programs, modules, and options are working most effectively. This information then allows the system and the instructors to make adjustments that will ultimately lead to more effective learning.
With these solutions, more learners can reach their goals, allowing them to proceed with their new careers, advance in their current jobs, or improve their overall knowledge.
Types of Data Collected by LMS Platforms
There are several essential types of data that the LMS platform keeps up with and evaluates.
Learner Engagement Data
Learner engagement data provides essential information about how learners connect with the system and the provided lessons. That can include:
- Frequency of user logins
- Time spent on activities
- Participation rates for specific activities
With this information, not only do you get a big-picture look at how classes are structured and what learners are responding to best, but you can take a closer look at how individuals are engaging with the app or platform. That information can make it much easier to determine what students may need to change for improved success--or what should be changed within the platform to increase overall student success rates.
Performance-Related Data
Tracking student performance allows several essential data points for educational content creators and instructors. Not only does it offer insights into how each student is progressing in their learning, it can provide more information about how the learning module is structured. For example, if most students have low quiz scores, it could show that a specific area is not covered in enough depth.
Performance-related data includes:
- Quiz scores
- Assignment completion rates
- Course progress
- Feedback responses
With that vital data, instructors and content creators can provide more assistance to students, offering them support where they need it and adapting course content so that it better fits learners' needs.
How LMS Data Analytics Improve Online Training Effectiveness
Data analytics can help identify several key elements that trainers need to know to improve the success of their students.
Identify Areas of Improvement
By tracking LMS analytics over time, instructors and content creators can get a much better idea of what students' real content needs are. This can help them build more robust, effective courses that will guide them through the learning process and help them advance in their knowledge.
Analytics can provide insight into the type of instruction that best suits the majority of students, areas where learning needs more scaffolding, and the content that is required for specific certifications or positions.
Personalize Learning Paths and Goals
Each learner comes to the course with unique goals. Some may be taking a course because it meets an employment requirement. Others may take classes to help advance their knowledge and understanding of their careers.
With the right LMS analytics system in place, you can personalize learning paths and goals to maximize benefit to learners. This means fewer unnecessary learning pathways or lessons, which can improve engagement with the program. It also increases the odds that learners will keep up with lessons that are important for their jobs or future needs.
Increase Information Retention
Each learner has a unique way of connecting and engaging with information. While some people prefer to learn through auditory instruction, others need to see it written out. And, of course, many learn best when they have the lesson presented through an interactive platform that allows them to connect with it directly.
Adaptive learning uses data-driven instruction to adjust and customize an individual's online learning or training experience to meet their specific needs. That means that they are getting the information they need most, delivered through their training modules in a way that fits their needs, which, in turn, increases their ability to retain that information.
Real-Time Adjustments with Adaptive Learning
Based on the learner's performance metrics, educators and trainers can adjust course content in real time. Some learners will have higher support needs and may need more repetition or to come at the content from a different angle. Others may be able to quickly progress through the material. Adaptive learning increases overall engagement and raises the odds of learner success.
Tracking Learner Progress with Learning Analytics in Education
Using multiple data points to track a user's progress ensures every individual learner's specific goals are met, in a way that is customized to their learning or training. Learning analytics focuses on the analysis of data collected from an LMS. It can provide essential information about individual learner progress: what they're learning, how they're performing on individual modules, and even insight into what learners need to increase their success.
Learning analytics monitor individual learners, identifying those who need extra support or early intervention. It can offer information about which learners may need to spend more time in the system, what lessons learners are struggling with, or what challenges they may be facing. Those insights allow educators to adapt training programs or classes to fit learner needs.
Overcoming Challenges in Data-Driven Education & Training
There are several challenges that educators and trainers may face when using data-driven education solutions. However, with the proper tools, those obstacles can be overcome.
Algorithm Bias
Algorithms may unintentionally perpetuate biases based on training data or flawed sampling. A biased feedback loop can be created if the algorithm is based on biased data. Fortunately, there are several ways to lessen the chance of bias.
- Identify accurate representative data - Make sure that your data accurately reflects overall learner needs and demographics.
- Continual auditing and assessment - Keep track of how your learners are performing over time and use that data to create ongoing adaptations.
- Promote awareness - Make sure educators, trainers, and content creators are aware of potential biases or interpretation challenges.
With these strategies, you can often improve data interpretation standards and ensure a more accurate look at the data you have collected.
Meeting Specialized Training Needs
Online educators, trainers, and learners all require specialized training to know how to use these systems effectively. Online learning is different from offline learning, and this is also true of the instruction process. Implementing training for educators and learners alike can help make the learning process more effective.
Resistance to Change
When you bring new tools--including online learning solutions--into an already-established system, some people may be reluctant to adopt those new solutions. To ensure effective implementation:
- Communicate the benefits
- Provide continual training and support
- Involve educators in the implementation process
While some people may remain reluctant to adopt these new systems, ongoing support will help bring your learners and educators on board.
Privacy Concerns
Learning management systems often store large quantities of user information. That means that educators and trainers must be cautious about who has access to learner information and strive to protect against data breaches. Fortunately, several best practices can improve privacy and data safety.
- Regular testing - Testing your security is essential to ensuring that both business and client data remain protected.
- Updates of security measures - New cyber threats arise regularly. Regular updates to your security measures help ensure that your LMS will not experience a breach.
- Training and awareness - Make sure that everyone who uses your system--including both learners and educators--is aware of security best practices and how to keep your virtual environment safe.
- Minimize data collection and retention where possible - Do not collect data that is unnecessary, and do not store it if there is no need to do so. The less data you have, the less data hackers can access.
By keeping security at the forefront, you decrease the odds that your LMS will be impacted by a breach, ultimately improving both the user experience and your brand's reputation.
Improve LMS Data Analytics for Your Online Education or Training System
From improving the effectiveness of programs to personalized, adaptive learning experiences, incorporating data analytics in online education and training offers tangible benefits. With the ready availability of data and the tools necessary to analyze it, if you have an online training platform it is easier than ever to take advantage of those benefits.
YesLMS is a learning management system designed to provide an accessible experience for all learners. It provides comprehensive data analytics that will allow you to modify your instruction as needed to maximize learner results. Visit YesLMS today or sign up for a free demo and we'll show you how our LMS analytics improve learner outcomes and create an experience that is tailored to each individual's vocational rehabilitation success.
