This document provides an overview and updates from the Apereo Learning Analytics Initiative (LAI). It discusses the historical context including the Open Academic Analytics Initiative funded by Gates Foundation. It describes current proof-of-concept projects from LAI including the Learning Analytics Processor, OpenLRS, and OpenDashboard. It also outlines the modular components that make up the open learning analytics platform and provides demos of the Learning Record Store, Learning Analytics Processor and Student Success Plan. Finally, it discusses engagement opportunities and the roadmap for further developing the open learning analytics platform.

1. Updates From Apereo Learning Analytics
Initiative (LAI)
OPEN APEREO 2015

2. Josh Baron
ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR DIGITAL EDUCATION
MARIST COLLEGE

3. Gary Gilbert
TECHNOLOGY LEAD FOR INTEGRATION & ANALYTICS
UNICON & APEREO LAI

4. Sandeep Jayaprakash
LEARNING ANALYTICS SPECIALIST, MARIST COLLEGE
ANALYTICS LIAISON , APEREO LAI

5. SOME BRIEF HISTORICAL CONTEXT…
Open Academic
Analytics Initiative(OAAI)

6. Open Academic Analytics Initiative(OAAI)
EDUCAUSE Next Generation Learning
Challenges (NGLC)
Funded by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations
$250,000 over a 15 month period
Goal: Leverage Big Data concepts to create an
open-source academic early alert system and
research “scaling factors”

7. OAAI Early Alert System Overview

8. JAYAPRAKASH, S. M., MOODY, E. W., LAURÍA, E. J., REGAN, J. R.,
& BARON, J. D. (2014). EARLY ALERT OF ACADEMICALLY AT-RISK
STUDENTS: AN OPEN SOURCE ANALYTICS INITIATIVE. JOURNAL
OF LEARNING ANALYTICS, 1(1), 6-47.
More Research Findings…

9. UPDATES FROM 2014-15
Apereo Learning
Analytics Initiative (LAI)

10. Apereo Learning Analytics Initiative (LAI)
Goal: Operationalize outcomes from Learning Analytics research as means to
develop, maintain and sustain modular components that integrate to support an
open platform for Learning Analytics
Current Proof-of-Concept Projects
◦ Marist College – Learning Analytics Processor (LAP)
◦ Unicon – OpenLRS (Learning Record Store) and Student Success Plan (SSP)
◦ University of Amsterdam – Larrisa (open-source Learning Record Store)
◦ Uniformed Services University – OpenDashboard
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Wiki Page: https://confluence.sakaiproject.org/x/rIB_BQ
GitHub: https://github.com/Apereo-Learning-Analytics-Initiative

11. Modular Components of an
Open Learning Analytics Platform
Collection – Standards-based
data capture from any potential
source using Experience API and/or
IMS Caliper/Senor API
Storage– Single repository for
all learning-related data using
Learning Record Store (LRS)
standard.
Analysis– Flexible Learning
Analytics Processor (LAP) that can
handle data mining, data processing
(ETL), predictive model scoring and
reporting.
Communication–
Dashboard technology for displaying
LAP output.
Action– LAP output can be fed
into other systems to trigger alerts,
etc.
Library of
Open Models
OpenDashboard
OpenLRS
& Larrisa
Learning
Analytics
Processor
(LAP)
Student
Success
Plan

12. Apereo LAI Updates
Collaborated with the Society for Learning Analytics Research (SoLAR) on 2015 Learning
Analytics and Knowledge (LAK) Conference
◦ Introduced new “practitioner” track which was combined with research presentations
◦ Organized first annual two-day Open Learning Analytics Hackathon
◦ Larger scale activities planned for LAK16 at University of Edinburgh (lak16.solaresearch.org)
Several open learning analytics projects are or have just entered incubation
◦ Learning Analytics Processor (LAP), OpenLRS and OpenDashboard
◦ Student Success Plan (SSP) already graduated from incubation
Jisc will deploy several Apereo LAI components as part of national UK Learning Analytics service
◦ Marist College, Unicon and other partners will be supporting Jisc work
◦ Initial offerings to being in September 2015
◦ More details and regular updates at: http://analytics.jiscinvolve.org/wp/

13. Open Learning Analytics
Platform Progress
Collection – Any xAPI
(and soon IMS Caliper)
compliant learning
system
Storage – OpenLRS &
Larissa
Analysis – Learning
Analytics Processor
Communication –
Open Dashboard
Action – Student
Success Plan
OpenLRS
Learning
Analytics
Processor
Student
Success
Plan
Learning
Systems
Open
Dashboard
xAPI / Caliper
LTI
API
API
API

14. Learning Record Store & Data Collection
• OpenLRS is a secure, standards-based, standalone Learning Record Store built
to fill the need for a high i/o storage mechanism for an Open Learning
Analytics Environment
• Supports xAPI
• Support for IMS Caliper in development
• Technical Stack
○ Java / Spring-Boot
○ Pluggable Data stores (redis, elasticsearch, mongodb)

15. Learning Analytics Processor
● A framework for the execution of learning analytics models
● Web application
○ Java / Spring
○ MySQL / H2
● Predictive Model Mark-up
Language (PMML)
● Pentaho Kettle – Data
Integration & ETL
● Pentaho WEKA – Data Mining &
Predictive Modelling

16. Learning Analytics Processor
Sakai
Admin tool
activities.csv
grades.csv
Learning Analytics Processor (LAP)
Student ID, Course ID,
Risk Rating
Demographics from SIS
Go!
grabs files
1
2
3 OAAI XML
Kettle pipeline applies
model
4 outputs results
.
.
.
.
------------------ EXTRACT -------- TRANSFORM ------- LOAD ---------
RESTful API

17. Student Success Plan
• Case Management Software
• Academic Advising Tools (MAP)
• Early Alert / Faculty Access (EAL)
• Student Interface (Tasks, MAP, Self
Help)
• Student Information System (SIS)
Integration
• Reporting Tools / Data Collection

18. Open Dashboard
• Web application that provides a framework
for displaying analytics visualizations and
data views called “cards”.
• Cards represent a single discrete
visualization or data view but share an API
and data model
• LTI compliant
• Card library for Learning Analytics
Processing logic
Controllers
Rest
API
Data Access
Pure JS Model
Pure JS API
Angular Modules
Cards
Services
Framework

19. LAK15 Hackathon - Open Dashboards
Early Alert Insights Chart
Course Engagement Pathways – Resource &
Content Access

20. Roadmap
•Begin to incorporate components of the Hadoop ecosystem
•IMS Caliper
•LTI 2
•Visualization library

21. Demo

22. Engaging with the
Community

23. Insights about Learning Analytics
It is not just about infrastructure.
APEREO LAI is also a
safe communal space
to build up experience and insights and requirements.

24. Engaging with Apereo Learning
Analytics Initiative (LAI)
We believe in Do-ocracy.If you see an opportunity or area of
enrichment then you should take leadership and the community will support
you.
Examples
Alan - community officer, organizes hackathons & workshops
Sandeep - warding incubation process, analytics
Patrick - communications officer, student requirements
Kate - marketing/communications, Evangelist
Josh - many roles (not even going to start)
Gary - builds the living daylights out of LAI. Sanity check, etc.

25. LAK15 LAK16
Hackathons
Infrastructure Walkthroughs
OLA European Summit
Ethics and privacy workshops
Scalable Student Retention Systems
Open Dashboards
Apereo LAI
Amsterdam, Paris, Utrecht, Milton Keynes, Poughkeepsie, Baltimore etc.

26. Engaging with Apereo Learning
Analytics Initiative (LAI)
Where to start? LEVEL 1 NINJA (in no particular order):
• Review the LAI homepage https://confluence.Sakaiproject.Org/display/LAI/learning+analytics+initiative
• Read the notes from the regular meetings
Join the mailing list: analytics@apereo.org
(subscribe by sending a message to analytics+subscribe@apereo.Org)
• Join the LAI calls (every other Wednesday 11:00 AM EST) :
https://confluence.Sakaiproject.Org/display/LAI/community+hangouts
• Review github: https://github.Com/apereo-learning-analytics-initiative
• Take on a role on a subject you care about

27. Engaging with Apereo Learning
Analytics Initiative (LAI)
Where to start? LEVEL 2 NINJA (in no particular order):
• Buy the team a beer
• Host a hackathon or workshop
• Share Learning Analytics requirements at your institution
• Pilot Open Learning Analytics components
• Consider co-developing and enriching Apereo LAI components
• Act as a communication channel between organizations
o SURF, JISC , Apereo, SoLAR, LACE etc.
Unicon, UvA, Marist, Hull, Oxford, USUHS, <<your name here>>

28. Looking to discuss more?
2015-16 LEARNING ANALYTICS INITIATIVE (LAI) PLANNING DISCUSSION
9:45AM TO 10:30AM, WEDNESDAY 3RD JUNE, MARYLAND D
2015-16 LEARNING ANALYTICS INITIATIVE (LAI) SHOWCASE CORNER
5:30 PM TO 7:00 PM, MONDAY 1ST JUNE, MARYLAND FOYER
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