Short Description:
The purpose of this project was to understand how postsecondary educators perceived the emergent technology of learning analytics and to create a best practices guide for those interested in implementing learning analytics at their institutions. To understand how different university stakeholders perceived the available metrics in a variety of learning management systems, we conducted an exploratory, mixed-methods study at a mid-sized Ontario university. Survey and focus group data were collected and analyzed to examine the perspectives of faculty instructors, students, administrators, and support staff of their familiarity and knowledge of learning analytics for teaching and learning, as well as their interpretations of graphic representations of student activity in LMSs. The findings suggest that educators recognize the potential of learning analytics for student support, report limited usability in current visualizations, and privacy and the ethics of using student data. It is hoped that this practical guide will assist users in going beyond superficial measures of course activity or incorrect interpretations of data to harness the power of learning analytic tools in teaching and learning in higher education.

Long Description:
The purpose of this project was to develop a practical guide for postsecondary educators to explore the potential of learning analytics for teaching and decision making. We conducted an exploratory, mixed-methods study investigating different university stakeholders’ perceptions of available metrics in a variety of learning management systems. Survey and focus group data were collected and analyzed to examine perspectives of faculty instructors, students, administrators, and support staff of available graphic representations and dashboards for teaching and learning. The findings indicated the potential of learning analytics to identify students in need of instructor intervention as well as concerns with privacy and the ethics of using student data, It is hoped that this practical guide will assist users in going beyond superficial measures of course activity or incorrect interpretations of data to harness the power of learning analytic tools in teaching and learning in higher education.

Word Count: 9520

(Note: This resource's metadata has been created automatically by reformatting and/or combining the information that the author initially provided as part of a bulk import process.)

Short Description:
This open textbook is a living document of knowledge and skills needed by finance students and professionals to design, govern, and invest financial resources from savings set aside during the working years, either by law (e.g., Canada Pension Plan), by mutual agreement (e.g. occupational pension plan), or privately (e.g. Registered Retirement Savings Plan, Tax-Free Savings Plan). Saving for retirement is among the most important financial decisions that Canadians will make in their lifetime, along with getting a mortgage and saving for their child(ren)’s education. This textbook is a work-in-progress that will evolve and grow over time to provide current information for adoption and adaptation in Accounting, Finance, and Management courses and programs.

Long Description:
This open textbook is a living document of knowledge and skills needed by finance students and professionals to design, govern, and invest financial resources from savings set aside during the working years, either by law (e.g., Canada Pension Plan), by mutual agreement (e.g. occupational pension plan), or privately (e.g. Registered Retirement Savings Plan, Tax-Free Savings Plan). Saving for retirement is among the most important financial decisions that Canadians will make in their lifetime, along with getting a mortgage and saving for their child(ren)’s education. While books and reports for a general audience, advanced graduate students, and practicing pension finance professionals exist, no postsecondary textbooks, eTextbooks, or appropriate open educational resources were available that specifically addressed the needs of undergraduate or introductory masters students. This textbook is a work-in-progress that will evolve and grow over time to provide current, relevant information for adoption and adaptation in Accounting, Finance, and Management courses and programs.

Cover art: Ryan J. Frith

Word Count: 39842

(Note: This resource's metadata has been created automatically by reformatting and/or combining the information that the author initially provided as part of a bulk import process.)