This document discusses how to instrument xAPI (Experience API) in forums and discussion groups to track user behavior and engagement. It describes tracking participation levels, identifying high-performing users based on posts that are voted up or accepted, and identifying developmental opportunities for users whose posts are often voted down. It also addresses tracking how users join and leave groups, their posting and replying behavior, and results from polls over time. The document provides considerations for using existing xAPI vocabularies and extensions and notes that more time is spent researching standards than coding extensions.

1. Instrumenting xAPI
in Forums &
Discussion Groups
XAPI CAMP – DEVLEARN
NOVEMBER 15, 2016

2. risc-inc.com
@awerkenthin
artw@risc-inc.com
• President, RISC, Inc.
• LMS developer since 1988
• 0.9 xAPI Adopter
• Learning Solutions author
• xAPI Quarterly author
Art Werkenthin

3. risc-inc.com
@duncanwiv
duncanww@risc-inc.com
• Director of Client Services,
RISC, Inc.
• LMS Implementation
• High Compliance Industries
• xAPI Quarterly author
Duncan Welder

4. • Track user behavior
– Participation
– Posting or Replying
– Engagement
• Identify star performers
– Voted Up
– Accepted
• Identify developmental opportunities
– Voted Down
• Tracking Poll Results (over time)
Why, Why, Why xAPI?

5. • Joining
– Manually or Assigned
• Leaving
– Engagement time
• Using Extensions
Joining & Leaving Groups

6. • What topics are HOT!
• Context identifies the parent
• Grouping tracks threads
Posting & Replying

7. • Who is contributing positively?
• Whose answers are accepted?
• Who is engaged?
• Are there trends for down votes?
Voting Up, Down & Accepted

8. • There is no deleting in the LRS!
• Wait, what if an accepted
answer is… “Unaccepted?”
What about deletes?

9. • Research verbs, activity types and extensions
– 5X more time spent on research than coding
– Created only one context extension
– Statement validation
• Where possible, do not create new
– http://xapi.vocab.pub/datasets/adl/
– https://registry.experienceapi.com/#
– https://www.adlnet.gov/adl-collaboration/xapi-community-of-practice/
• Our “recipe”
http://xapiquarterly.com/2016/10/instrumenting-xapi-in-
forums-discussion-groups/
Vocabulary Considerations