Simulatable Open Learner Models of Core Competencies for Setting Goals for Course Performance

Abstract

A competency-based curriculum involves courses for cultivating core competencies required for specific professions to enable students to take courses to cultivate their core competencies. This paper presents a curriculum level and competency-based learning analytics dashboard system with simulatable open learner models (OLMs) of core competencies for assisting students in setting goals for course performance. At first, the system provides students with their OLMs of core competencies based on their taken courses and grades. After that, students are asked to set their goals for course grades of all their courses during the current semester. The system displays the simulation of students’ future OLMs if they achieve their goals for course grades this semester. Students can re-set their goals and conduct the simulation of OLMs again until they satisfy the simulation results. The system also enables students to set detailed goals for attendance, assignment hand-in rate, midterm exam, and final exam in order to achieve their goals for course grade. A preliminary evaluation was conducted. Most students agreed that the simulatable OLMs assisted them in understanding the influence of their goals for course grades on core competencies and in setting goals for course grades. Most students also stated that setting detailed course goals prompted them to achieve the goal for course grade.