Adaptive Learning

Smart Sparrow Adds Learner Data Analytics

• By Rhea Kelly
• 04/27/17

Adaptive learning company Smart Sparrow today launched new learner data analytics features for its learning design platform that provide real-time feedback on student progress and engagement. According to the announcement, the analytics provide "better insight into what elements of a course best engage students, what concepts are challenging students, and where course experiences can be improved" — allowing faculty and instructional designers to adjust instruction course design accordingly.

The system provides three types of "Class Reports" designed to help faculty understand how students are mastering content and how to intervene with those who are struggling. "The analytics enable instructional designers to understand the effectiveness of individual lessons, or activities within lessons, and use that insight to inform continuous lesson improvement," according to the company.

"The Smart Sparrow data analytics give me important insights as to how much time students are spending on a learning task," said Shala Mills, an instructor at Fort Hays State University, in a statement. "In some cases, I find students are breezing through activities that I had hoped would involve more time and reflection. In other cases, I'll be more optimistic about the time it takes students to complete a task than what the data analytics reveal. With real data in hand about the actual time on task, I am able to make important course design changes that will result in the work habits I am looking for in my students."

"We're seeing a growing enthusiasm in higher ed for using data and analytics to inform student advising and early warning systems. But, we can't stop there. Data must inform how we continuously evolve and improve teaching and learning," commented Dror Ben-Naim, founder and CEO of Smart Sparrow. "Better insight into the student experience, coupled with tools that give institutions the ability to design engaging and personalized learning experiences, means faculty no longer have to wait until the end of the semester to understand what's working."

For more information, visit the Smart Sparrow site.