Session Description: Many instructors struggle to understand the value of using data in their teaching even while significant strides have been made toward situating learning analytics in their courses. The Stepping Stones curriculum was developed to tackle this challenge. Stepping Stones is a cross-institutional effort coordinated by the Unizin Consortium that is intended to better prepare faculty to use learning analytics data ethically, effectively, and equitably. The resources provided are designed to be used by facilitators to create and deliver a learning experience for their instructors, with the flexibility to accommodate a variety of audiences, modalities, workshop structures, and outcomes. During this session, we will explore the resources available, consider how to establish workshop goals, and discuss how to organize and adapt the materials to support those goals.
Emily Oakes is Indiana University’s Principal Unizin IT Consultant and the Indiana University Data Steward for Learning Management and Learning Analytics data. She is also a first-generation, non-traditional student who has spent her lifetime navigating systems of education with a disability. Emily's 10-year career at IU as an information technology professional has involved direct support of faculty and students as they interact with university systems, most notably teaching and learning tools. As Data Steward, she is responsible for the university-wide governance of learning management and learning analytics data. Her experience with technology systems and passion for effective and equitable teaching powers her efforts to unravel complex problems at the intersection of people and technology – challenges ranging from course content affordability to the effective and ethical use of learning data in the classroom.
Using Data Visualizations to Make a Difference
Session Description: For those of us working in higher education, it comes as no surprise to hear that analytical data is everywhere. But it is also true that we have yet to recognize its full potential and the many ways it can be used to improve the student experience throughout our institutions. Based upon my recent EDUCAUS Review article, Using Visualization to Reveal Insights and Make Decisions, I will discuss the seven key elements of good data visualizations and how they can be used by administrators to make a difference in the lives of our students. I will also provide examples of how Duke University is helping administrators see and use the data they need.
Anna Kourouniotis is a Database Analyst II for the Office of the University Registrar at Duke University. She manages data requests and develops interactive dashboards for various users across campus. Anna’s main goal is to ensure that recipients of the data (whether in its raw form, aggregated, or visualized in dashboards) truly understand the data and are given the relevant context. She holds a BS in Business Administration from the American College of Greece and an MA in New Media Studies from the University of Leicester. She is also currently enrolled in the Graduate Certificate in Learning Analytics at the North Carolina State University in Raleigh.
Session Description: The division of Enrollment Management at the University of California Irvine has led the institution in the development of a centralized Enrollment Management Analytics system (COMPASS EMA) that centralizes student enrollment data and provides a suite of analytic tools to support the full range of enrollment management and student success programming for each of the colleges. The system is used to support a broad range of the institution’s operational planning and student success initiatives including: admissions, enrollment, course enrollment, student success, degrees awarded, school planning, and post-graduation tracking. The development of a centralized enrollment management analytics system provides critical business intelligence to help improve students’ time to degree through effective management of bottleneck courses; improves student retention and persistence rates through early identification for intervention; and supports academic operations through predictive analytics for section planning.
Jovonte Willis is the Director of Data Analytics at the University of California - Irvine. In this role, he supports strategy and decision-making, performs research and conducts data analysis, generates and distributes reports to campus leaders and stakeholders, and built and manages the Enrollment Management Data Analytics system. Prior to joining UCI, Jovonte held several related roles in the California State University System including as director of the office of institutional research and business intelligence at California State University, Stanislaus. Jovonte earned a B.S. in Economics and an M.S. in Data Science.
Tony supports the Vice Provost of Enrollment Management in developing and executing the strategic enrollment management plan at the University of California - Irvine. He guides, supports, and assesses new and existing strategic initiatives and provides leadership and support to meet strategic enrollment goals. Tony oversees the data analytics unit and manages OEM information systems.
Prior to joining Enrollment Management, he directed the federal TRIO program, Upward Bound, to help support and increase the college-going rates for low-income and first-generation students. He began his advocacy of underrepresented students in higher education by first, working directly with students and their families through the UC’s outreach efforts, then through programming and curriculum development, and eventually moving into the space where he can participate in campus operations and policy setting.