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Free Tool Extracts Data from the LMS to Provide Better Visibility into Remote Learning

Data analytics company HelioCampus has released the LMS Explorer Kit, a free tool that allows institutions to extract and organize data from their learning management system to better inform resource planning and decision-making.

The kit pulls together data on instructor and student course activity, and allows users to "create a series of optional data visualizations to help inform action and decision-making around deployment, training, course development and usage," according to a news announcement — without the typical database queries and manual manipulation of data. The idea is to give administrators "a jump-start to assist with providing immediate and organized LMS data models that can be accessed directly by business intelligence tools," the announcement said.

"In making the sudden shift to a remote learning environment, colleges and universities are now faced with new critical questions. The LMS Explorer Kit is our way of offering support to institutions as they navigate these uncertain times by helping them more easily access the LMS data they need to answer these questions and chart their path forward," said HelioCampus CEO Darren Catalano, in a statement.

The first version of the kit includes the code for downloading and creating data files from Canvas, with Blackboard to follow. For more information, including an FAQ and other resources, visit the HelioCampus site.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

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