Abstract
Mapping for Effective Decision-Making: Exploring Teaching-with-Technology Analytics
Track: Administration and Policy
Authors: Margaret Gunderson
Like many university administrators and staff with limited departmental resources, Educational Technology at Missouri (ET@MO) needs to identify where their efforts might result in the greatest impact for MU instructors. Recent emphasis on learning analytics has significant application at the departmental level for predictive modeling and pattern-mining. However, administrative planners need a more effective method for visualizing and communicating data patterns - one that goes beyond just a statistical results page. This session will explore how the presenter has related learning analytics to GIS mapping to address three different types of instructional support questions. Using standard GIS pattern assessment techniques learned from the MU Geography Department, potential spatial correlations were identified between MU departmental locations and current MU instructional technology data. Using the resulting maps helped decision-makers to more easily understand, remember and communicate about the patterns and relationships evident in the GIS analysis.