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A Participatory Approach to Designing a Student-Facing Dashboard for Online and Distance Education

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Title: A Participatory Approach to Designing a Student-Facing Dashboard for Online and Distance Education
Language: English
Authors: Christothea Herodotou (ORCID 0000-0003-0980-1632), Sagun Shrestha (ORCID 0000-0001-9982-7275), Catherine Comfort (ORCID 0000-0001-8961-9608), Heshan Andrews (ORCID 0009-0008-1416-3923), Paul Mulholland (ORCID 0000-0001-6598-0757), Vaclav Bayer (ORCID 0000-0001-8953-6335), Claire Maguire (ORCID 0000-0001-6845-5421), John Lee (ORCID 0009-0006-2995-6761), Miriam Fernandez (ORCID 0000-0001-5939-4321)
Source: Journal of Learning Analytics. 2025 12(2):158-174.
Availability: Society for Learning Analytics Research. 121 Pointe Marsan, Beaumont, AB T4X 0A2, Canada. Tel: +61-429-920-838; e-mail: info@solaresearch.org; Web site: https://learning-analytics.info/index.php/JLA/index
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 18
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Electronic Learning, Distance Education, Student Attitudes, Educational Technology, Learning Analytics, Data Use, Visual Aids, Student Needs, College Students
ISSN: 1929-7750
Abstract: In this paper, we explore the design of a student-facing dashboard for online and distance learning with a focus on capturing and addressing specific learning needs. A participatory process involving 20 students was employed, which included a screening questionnaire and focus group discussions. The selection of data points to be displayed on the dashboard was mainly determined by student responses regarding the usefulness of a feature, and a high frequency of their agreement. The data analysis revealed that the learning needs of online students relate to course support and communication (with tutors and other students). In response to this, students expressed a desire for accessing information related to their assignments, study time, and tutorials. The data points endorsed by students related to descriptive (assignment scores, engagement with the virtual learning environment, material accessed), predictive (score prediction), and prescriptive data (material recommendations and contact information). Student choices of data points were driven by a desire to better understand their study progress and take appropriate action. These insights emphasize the need for designing dashboards that not only describe performance but foremost "prescribe" to students potential solutions to overcome performance challenges.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1483300
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: A Participatory Approach to Designing a Student-Facing Dashboard for Online and Distance Education
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Christothea+Herodotou%22">Christothea Herodotou</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0980-1632">0000-0003-0980-1632</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sagun+Shrestha%22">Sagun Shrestha</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9982-7275">0000-0001-9982-7275</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Catherine+Comfort%22">Catherine Comfort</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8961-9608">0000-0001-8961-9608</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Heshan+Andrews%22">Heshan Andrews</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1416-3923">0009-0008-1416-3923</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Paul+Mulholland%22">Paul Mulholland</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6598-0757">0000-0001-6598-0757</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Vaclav+Bayer%22">Vaclav Bayer</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8953-6335">0000-0001-8953-6335</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Claire+Maguire%22">Claire Maguire</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6845-5421">0000-0001-6845-5421</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22John+Lee%22">John Lee</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2995-6761">0009-0006-2995-6761</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Miriam+Fernandez%22">Miriam Fernandez</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5939-4321">0000-0001-5939-4321</externalLink>)
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  Data: Society for Learning Analytics Research. 121 Pointe Marsan, Beaumont, AB T4X 0A2, Canada. Tel: +61-429-920-838; e-mail: info@solaresearch.org; Web site: https://learning-analytics.info/index.php/JLA/index
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Electronic+Learning%22">Electronic Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Distance+Education%22">Distance Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Technology%22">Educational Technology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learning+Analytics%22">Learning Analytics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Data+Use%22">Data Use</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Visual+Aids%22">Visual Aids</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Needs%22">Student Needs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink>
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  Data: In this paper, we explore the design of a student-facing dashboard for online and distance learning with a focus on capturing and addressing specific learning needs. A participatory process involving 20 students was employed, which included a screening questionnaire and focus group discussions. The selection of data points to be displayed on the dashboard was mainly determined by student responses regarding the usefulness of a feature, and a high frequency of their agreement. The data analysis revealed that the learning needs of online students relate to course support and communication (with tutors and other students). In response to this, students expressed a desire for accessing information related to their assignments, study time, and tutorials. The data points endorsed by students related to descriptive (assignment scores, engagement with the virtual learning environment, material accessed), predictive (score prediction), and prescriptive data (material recommendations and contact information). Student choices of data points were driven by a desire to better understand their study progress and take appropriate action. These insights emphasize the need for designing dashboards that not only describe performance but foremost "prescribe" to students potential solutions to overcome performance challenges.
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      – Text: English
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        StartPage: 158
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Electronic Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Distance Education
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Technology
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      – SubjectFull: Learning Analytics
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      – SubjectFull: Visual Aids
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      – SubjectFull: Student Needs
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