Learning analytics – analysis of vocational education and training data

Learning analytics is a general term used to designate socio-technological data mining, analysis and intervention practices which aim to support education and training processes individually and systemically. Despite the extensive areas of potential it offers, there is hesitation when it comes to deploying learning analytics in vocational education and training. The reasons stated are deficits in organisational structures and a lack of human and technical resources at the organisations themselves. This article examines the lines of development of learning analytics, outlines the current status of research, presents a holistic framework model for learning analytics systems and reflects upon ethical and data privacy principles.