Repurposing Existing Data Towards Institutional Learning Analytics: A Review of Outcome-mapping Data of HEIs in India

Abstract

The paper addresses the possibility of repurposing existing data structures in Indian higher education institutes (HEIs) for the deployment of institutional learning analytics (LA). To that end, the paper critically reviews the kind of data that HEIs in India already generate for quality control and accreditation by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council. It argues that, albeit with caveats, existing data structures of programme and course outcomes maintained by HEIs can be repurposed toward institutional LA deployment. A significant amount of work must be done to flesh out the learning theories that will inform the data structures. Centring learning outcomes for LA deployment can help address the various existing critiques of LA. At the same time, outcome-based approaches risk expunging unexpected, abstract and social learnings and risk reproducing managerialist approaches to education.