Analytics within UAE higher education context

摘要

This paper presents the major findings from a study conducted with four different universities in the U.A.E regarding their use of the learning analytics (LA) capabilities available within their learning management systems (LMS). Data was collected from an online survey instrument, in-depth interviews with IT directors and academic administrators, and a case study in Zayed University. The study reveals that while the examined universities seem to recognize and appreciate the new analytics functions available within learning management systems, they seem to struggle with forming a consistent and effective approach to link those functions to improve the decision-making process. Most popular analytics functions include analytics concerned with curriculum coverage, goal performance, student performance, and early alert systems at the course and degree program levels.