The digital revolution has transformed our lives, providing unprecedented access to vast amounts of data. In today’s data-driven world, higher education institutions are increasingly using data analytics to improve teaching and learning experiences. This article explores how data analytics at TALIC is being leveraged to provide actionable insights to support teaching and learning strategies, quality assurance, and quality enhancement at the University of Hong Kong.
Institutional Surveys
Launched in 2008, the annual Student Learning Experience Questionnaire (SLEQ) has collected data on students’ perceptions of their learning experiences, covering aspects such as teaching and learning environments, achievement of University Educational Aims, and overall satisfaction. SLEQ data is analysed using various strategies like statistical and psychometric analyses, text mining, and data visualisation techniques, allowing Faculties, Committees, and Programme Directors to identify areas for improvement and enhance the overall learning experience. Over the past 16 years, the SLEQ has revealed an upward trajectory, indicating a growing positive learning experience among students. The Student Feedback on Teaching and Learning (SFTL) is a course feedback survey that gathers data on course and teaching effectiveness. SFTL data informs teaching and pedagogical practices for teachers and supports continuous improvement in teaching and learning. Recently, a revamp has been made to enhance the SFTL online survey and reporting system, leading to a significant increase in response rates.
Data Analytics for Teaching and Learning
The analysis of data collected from these surveys, along with other quantitative and qualitative studies, yields actionable insights and serves as vital sources of data for assuring and enhancing teaching and learning practices in various ways. Examples of how institutional data has been utilised include annual discussions with Faculties to address issues from survey findings and facilitate teaching and learning action plan developments; tracking students’ perceived learning gains during university studies and after graduation to assess the value-addedness brought by the University Educational Aims; providing teaching and learning related performance indicators to support the identification of areas of improvement in the Teaching and Learning Strategy; examining student characteristics across diverse student populations; and incorporating survey data into institution-wide focus reviews to enhance aspects of teaching and learning, such as e-learning, experiential learning, Common Core, academic advising, and more.
Data Analytics and Student Assessment in Higher Education
Data analytics has become a crucial component in higher education across the globe. The growing trend of data analytics emphasises the importance of harnessing data to make informed decisions and drive improvements in education. Adopting an evidence-based approach, Dr Maggie Zhao, Assistant Director at TALIC, has been leading a dedicated team that aims to uphold high standards in their data support for teaching and learning through rigorous learning analytics and meticulous research efforts. Consequently, their discoveries have been published in reputable academic journals, and their innovative developments in student assessment have been shared at distinguished international conferences and forums, including UNESCO. This exemplifies TALIC’s dedication to harnessing the power of data analytics to enhance teaching and learning experiences.
As data analytics continues to evolve and shape the future of higher education, institutions worldwide will benefit from embracing data-driven approaches to improve their teaching and learning practices. Dr Zhao emphasises that with the ongoing evolution of technology, including artificial intelligence, the capacity for data-driven practices will expand even further. She highlights TALIC’s data and analytics initiatives, such as SLEQ and SFTL, as demonstrations of the immense potential of harnessing data to enrich student learning experiences. Dr Zhao concludes that embracing the power of data and analytics provides actionable insights into students’ learning, enabling teachers to design and implement evidence-based strategies that promote more personalised and engaging learning experiences for students, ultimately unleashing students’ full potential and nurturing future readiness.
Dr. Maggie Yue ZHAO
Assistant Director / Senior Lecturer
Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre