Library attendance tracker
The University of Bedfordshire monitors its students' learning activities by analysing their class attendance, assignment submission data and how often they visit the virtual learning environment (VLE) – an internal course website that contains resources and guidance. The university also checks how regularly individuals are visiting the library and borrowing books.
Tutors are automatically notified if a particular student is not spending the expected amount of time on the VLE or in the library through email alerts and pop-up windows. This feature can also be personalised, according to the engagement levels that a tutor would expect of particular students. After the trial period ended in August 2012, the university found that the number of active users on the VLE increased and class attendance levels rose significantly.
Amazon meets grade predictor
Using technology similar to Netflix and Amazon, the Degree Compass system recommends modules to students by working out what grade they could potentially achieve. The programme was developed by Austin Peay State University, which wanted to prevent students taking courses that they would later find to be disengaging – and therefore fail to complete.
Unlike services such as Netflix, the programme doesn't consider which courses are the most popular – instead, it works by analysing hundreds of thousands of past students' transcripts, alongside the student's own grades, to work out which module is best for them.
The system most strongly recommends a course that is necessary for a student to graduate, that is core to the university curriculum and the student's studies – and that it expects students will succeed in academically.
Preventing students from dropping out
To help prevent students from dropping out of university, Fort Hays State University (FHSU) in Kansas developed an online network which provides specialised advice and guidance to targeted groups, such as online learners or full-time students. It also established an email and social network service for parents and TigerIQ – a programme that allows staff, parents or student leaders to create referrals for undergraduates they feared are at risk of dropping out. Once alerted, the university can then create an intervention plan for the student.
