Use one platform as your bridge to data maturity

Higher education providers (HEPs) across the UK are building a data-led culture to help them identify students in need of support and guidance. Good data governance and integrated systems can also help hit continuation and completion targets, making them a key strategic investment.

Moving to a single data platform can help drive efficiencies and build data maturity, but we find that many HEPs are reluctant to make the leap.

Even when they have ambitions beyond tracking simple metrics, moving their data onto a single analytics platform is perceived as too much of a challenge.

Driving data maturity

Moving to a single data platform can be a natural progression for some organisations that have developed their data maturity over time. It can also be a trigger for other organisations to address data issues and tackle longstanding problems such as data siloes.

Characteristics of a data mature HEP:

1. Has a data strategy in place, normally as part of a wider digital transformation programme
2. Is collecting relevant learning data on its students
3. Knows the data collected is accessible, accurate, complete, consistent, unique, valid and collected in a timely manner
4. Is already using dashboards or other visualisations to communicate with staff

Another key element of maturity that HEPs should tackle is connecting data to interventions. What will your student services or academic team do with the data they receive? For example, a student is not using the virtual learning environment, has low attendance, and often submits work late. What are you going to do about it? Who has the time, the mandate and the consistent processes in place to respond to these clear data indicators?

Without tying data to outcomes, proving the power of integrated data systems will be difficult.

One platform = more efficiencies

Bringing your data together can help improve efficiencies and increase collaboration across campus. It makes it quicker and easier for staff teams to see which students are engaging by reducing the platforms they have to check and use. Previously, teams had to look at the virtual learning environment (VLE), learning resource usage, attendance system data, and numerous spreadsheets.

Using a single platform instantly adds value in two key areas: productivity rises as staff spend less time combining the data they need to understand their students’ performance; the data is also more trustworthy because of the rigour needed to bring it into a single platform.

An organisation rolling out a single platform can reduce training costs and increase the chances of collaboration. System alignment also allows more staff to work on cross-departmental projects.

Not just a dashboard

Bringing data together in this way is when HEPs can truly be said to be using learning analytics.

One key difference between a dashboard with lots of visualisations and learning analytics is the concept of an engagement score. This is a simple metric calculated using a number of data inputs generated by student behaviour. The data points used will be based on institutional requirements.

This has the double benefit of cutting through the noise to flag those who need help the most and setting appropriate thresholds for what is considered “good” or “bad” engagement.

Challenges don’t end

These benefits don’t mean that using one platform solves all your problems – many challenges remain.

Staff engagement is one of the biggest challenges to any data transformation project. Even with a single, simple-to-use platform, many see its use as an unnecessary burden on their time.

Others use small parts of the system but don’t look to explore its wide range of uses and applications. Some teams don’t understand what they are supposed to do so go back to their tried and trusted methods. Others get frustrated and want their own system, so they have more control.

These issues are why strategy and policy, leading to training and communication, are vital to any data analytics project. Without the express buy-in from teams within the HEP, these systems will fail to bring the insights and subsequent benefits they promise.

There is no magical system that will resolve all your data and process issues, and you will always require effort to obtain value from your data. However, building robust data sources and bringing them together in a single platform can result in real-world benefits for students and HEPs.

Don't wait for your data or processes to be perfect: the sooner you start the work, the sooner you will benefit.

Find out more

This University of South Wales case study outlines how learning analytics was used to improve its student experience.

Read our senior managers' guide to understand better the practical steps managers must take to achieve data maturity.