In our current online learning environment, we are exploring similar ways to enact learning analytics and improve our interpersonal interactions. As many discussions in this class have demonstrated, the students sharing discussions, blogs, and videos are also some form of teacher. Therefore, we must be conscientious of how our shared material effects our learners. One way to do this is to use blogging analytics.
For this class I chose to use Google Blogger. Blogger has built in analytics that can help me understand my learners. These analytics can be found on the main page, as well as under the stats icon. The stats demonstrate pageviews for the day, previous day, and month.
Pageviews today
|
3
|
Pageviews yesterday
|
0
|
Pageviews last month
|
112
|
Pageviews all time history
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112
|
Another interesting feature of the analytics is which of my blogs are getting the most traction. As a "teacher" this is incredibly important information. I can determine which blogs are of interest to my learners and focus my efforts on those subjects. This way, I am enhancing my learner interactions and providing material that is of interest to them. As many digital learning proponents argue, online learning is about learner interest and ability. Therefore, it is crucial to play to those features.
The final analytic feature that I found fascinating was the mention of page referrals. Page referrals show how individuals are connecting with my blog and how they are sharing it with others. As a first time blogger, I was always curious how my information would reach those in the vast digital world. Seeing this link between pages demonstrates the broad connections that can be made and the numerous interpersonal interactions that may be had through a simple blog post.
References
Elias, T. (2011). Learning analytics: Definitions, processes, and potential. Retrieved from http://learninganalytics.net/LearningAnalyticsDefinitionsProcessesPotential.pdf
Zaiane, O. R. (2001, June). Web usage mining for a better web-based learning environment. Paper presented at The 4th IASTED International Conference on Advanced Technology for Education (CATE'01), Banff, Canada. Retrieved from http://oro.open.ac.uk/36374/1/IJTEL40501_Ferguson Jan 2013.pdf
These are good ideas!
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