Exploring the benefits and challenges of learning analytics in higher education institutions: a systematic literature review
Information Discovery and Delivery
ISSN: 2398-6247
Article publication date: 16 January 2019
Issue publication date: 22 February 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The potential capabilities and benefits that learning analytics can provide are not fully utilized. A current stream of research suggests that learning analytics has more to offer for continuous improvement of higher education institutions. This study aims to explore the opportunities that data analytics stand to offer higher education and the challenges that plays down its role, adoption and usage in different areas of higher education institutions.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a systematic literature review approach in answering the research questions. The critical role of learning analytics and the exploratory nature of research questions justify the use of systematic literature review. The current study used systematic research process adapted and presented by Hallinger (2013) to be used in social sciences in general and in educational leadership and management in particular. A standard process of finding relevant articles and examining reference lists is followed using articles from higher education which is the research context.
Findings
An examination of the literature showed that the majority of studies within the sample of articles are empirical representing 53 per cent, 32 per cent are conceptual, while only 15 per cent of the articles are a systematic literature review. Results also show that 58 per cent of the articles are teaching and learning related, 34 per cent are management related, while only 8 per cent are research related. Several challenges and opportunities of learning analytics in the three areas highlighted are presented and discussed.
Originality/value
The benefits and challenges of learning analytics are numerous and scattered in the literature. In this study, a typology related to different educational domains is developed to shed light on the benefits and challenges of learning analytics within particular higher education areas that are relevant to specific stakeholders. Benefits and challenges of learning analytics are classified into being management related, teaching and learning related and research related.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This paper forms part of the special section “Higher education information discovery, analytics, and dissemination”, guest edited by Mounir Kehal and Dr Justin Zhang.
Citation
El Alfy, S., Marx Gómez, J. and Dani, A. (2019), "Exploring the benefits and challenges of learning analytics in higher education institutions: a systematic literature review", Information Discovery and Delivery, Vol. 47 No. 1, pp. 25-34. https://doi.org/10.1108/IDD-06-2018-0018
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited