Data analytics in education: emerging trend?

How will higher education explore data analytics this year?  That’s the subject of our newest prediction market.

Learning analytics, according to the 2011 Horizon Report,

responds to calls for accountability on campuses across the country, and leverages the vast amount of data produced by students in day-to-day academic activities. While learning analytics has already been used in admissions and fund-raising efforts on several campuses, “academic analytics” is just beginning to take shape.

SNAPP, one example of learning analytics

To find a general answer for all players, this market is using a clear number generated by a combination of two services: a structured Google search of Slideshare-hosted presentations.   This search checks that site for presentations using “learning analytics” in the title or description field.  It now returns 49 results; how high will that number grow between now and mid-June of this year?

This market (or “question”) is the latest one in a collaboration between NITLE and the New Media Consortium (NMC). Together we’re exploring emergent trends in technology and education, focusing on the imminent release of the latest Horizon Report.

Prediction market game accounts are free.  For more information on the project, check this 2009 article.