Towards an Open Architecture for Learning Analytics in Open and Distance Education

Abstract

A characteristic of open and distance education is that all transactions between the learner and the university leave a digital footprint. This data trail gives open universities a golden opportunity to be in the forefront developing solutions for learning analytics and utilizating of educational big data. This paper explores development of an open architecture for learning analytics, from clarifying the concept of openness in the context of analytics to suggesting specific components a technical architecture for open and distance education. A literature review of the concept of openness in relation to learning analytics identifies a need for conceptual clarification, in particular in the context of open and distance education. The paper applies two conceptual frameworks to support the development of requirements for an open architecture, the European interoperability framework, and the ISO/IEC reference model for learning analytics. Components of an open architecture defined at Shanghai Open University are presented, and a process for validation of this architecture is suggested.