Abstract:

Learning Analytics provides methods for measuring, collecting and analyzing data about learners and their contexts, for the purpose of understanding and optimizing the learning process and its environments. In recent years, most research has been conducted regarding methodologies or technological challenges of Learning Analytics. Few research is done regarding software engineering and the software implementation of Learning Analytics for the use in Learning Management Systems. This makes it currently difficult or even impossible for researchers and teachers to use current research results without writing software on their own.

In this paper, we first present existing Learning Analytics tools for the Learning Management System Moodle. We discuss different implemented methodologies and how each software integrates into the learning platform. After that, we present the possible approaches to develop Learning Analytics software for Moodle. On the basis of the presented software, we explain the advantages and disadvantages of the different development approaches. While some approaches allow a deep integration into the Learning Management System but are focused on only the Moodle system, other approaches can track the user over various different systems.

Lastly, we describe our own Learning Analytics software implementation for Moodle. It is developed as plugin for the platform allowing it to be easily installable and well integrated into Moodle from a user perspective. Furthermore, its functionality can be extended by installing additional plugins. This makes it possible to extend the functionality by writing minimal and focused plugins. In the paper, we explain how the software is integrated into Moodle as well as how plugins can be developed to extend its functionality. We discuss our software design decisions and explain their benefits.

Keywords:

Learning analytics, moodle, e-learning, virtual learning environment.