What Can Data Do For Your eLearning Strategy?
Data is present in most aspects of our lives, including eLearning. Learning and Development (L&D) professionals leverage data provided to them through eLearning systems to improve learning outcomes and personalize content. It's an easy way for people working in the industry to get an inside look at what's working (or not) in their courses, helping them to make better decisions and optimize their resources as well. However, managing this amount of sensitive information isn't always easy. This is why we present you with six practices to help you become a pro at data management in eLearning, so you can enhance both your efforts and your learners' performance.
6 Ideas For Data Management In eLearning
1. Data Collection Through LMS
Before diving into data collection through your Learning Management System (LMS), you need to be sure of what kind of data you need to gather. Your objectives and each learner’s goals will be your guides, helping you figure out what to look for among tons of information. For instance, if you want to assess your learners’ performance, collect data from quiz scores, the time they spend on lessons or tasks, and how many courses they have completed. An LMS is the perfect tool for this, keeping all kinds of data in a single place. This way, you can check everything from learner profiles to performance metrics, monitor information in real time, create customized reports, and even automate some of your repetitive tasks.
2. Data Accuracy
In eLearning, accurate and consistent data collection is the key to keeping the learning journey successful. Think about it like mixing up high-quality components in order to achieve the best results. Accurate data ensures the insights you gain are reliable, thus improving the decisions you make about the courses. So, when you start collecting the information you want, you need to ensure it can actually contribute to the overall effort for improvement. For instance, is the data relevant? If your goal is to increase engagement levels, measuring completion rates may not be of any use. Similarly, can the data be measured effectively? Information that can't be quantified is difficult to evaluate.
3. Storage Options
Sure, your LMS offers plenty of valuable information, but where do you store it? Fortunately, there are various options since data is of extreme importance and needs to be kept somewhere safe. One of the most popular choices is cloud storage, which will keep everything secure and accessible while also saving you from having to deal with physical storage space and maintenance costs. On the other hand, you can also keep the information you collect under your roof, meaning in your premises. On-premise servers give you more control over who can access data; however, you will need to take care of everything. You'll need to be responsible for security and maintenance, as well as having a plan for how to proceed in case your needs shift.
4. Security Measures
Speaking of security, it's not enough just to safely store sensitive information. When you possess learner data, you're responsible for letting users know how you handle it and what you do to protect it. The key here is encryption, which shields information by encoding it into incomprehensible pieces, understood only by those with authorized access. This way, even in the event of a breach or hacking, the culprits won't be able to make much sense of the data. Of course, you also need to comply with laws concerning data privacy. This is important not only from a legal perspective, but also because you want your learners to trust you, knowing that their information is processed with respect.
5. Data Analysis
Now that you know how to collect and protect data, it's time to see how you're going to leverage it to make informed decisions about your eLearning strategy. Luckily, there are plenty of tools to help you with the process, so you don't have to do it manually or be an expert at it. By using tools to analyze and visualize data in order to make it more comprehensible, you'll be able to improve learning outcomes in no time. Let's say that you notice a high abandonment rate at a specific lesson. It's a sign you need to make some changes. If you dive deeper into your data, you'll see which parts of the lesson have lower engagement levels and you can fine-tune everything as needed.
6. Data Management Software
We briefly talked about how tools can help you manage data, so let's dive deeper into this. From LMSs to content-creating tools, the options are endless, and you'll surely need a combination of software for successful data management. First, as mentioned, you'll need a robust LMS that will give you access to all kinds of features, like forums, assessments, collaborative tools, and others, to gather data from. It's best if your system creates reports, too, so you can visualize thee data much more easily with the help of a graphic design platform. Overall, opt for easy-to-navigate tools that can adapt to your changing needs, and make sure they integrate with each other for a smoother process.
Future Trends In Data Management For eLearning
Artificial Intelligence
We've seen how data management is the solution to creating successful eLearning courses, but what if this could happen with little interference on your part? Artificial Intelligence can do exactly that; it analyzes large amounts of data and uses it to quickly find patterns and trends in learner behavior. Then, it personalizes courses and learning pathways, creating an experience that fits each learner's needs perfectly. All you have to do is occasionally check if the results are accurate and, of course, take your users' feedback into consideration in case you need to make improvements.
Big Data
Big Data takes personalization up a notch since it has a more predictive approach. It can analyze past information from previous users' or learners’ overall performance across lessons to create patterns and predict outcomes. For example, it can foresee when someone might struggle with a specific subject and provide them with instructions and additional resources on the spot, right when they need them. So, Big Data acts like a personal mentor who always supports learners and guides them through any difficulties.
Conclusion
The future of education is here, and seeing personalized learning journeys and courses adjusting to individual needs isn’t uncommon. By embracing data management, you can unlock new possibilities and see your eLearning efforts grow with each student. Data is like your trusty compass, showing you the way to a more engaging and inclusive learning experience. By following the tips given above and knowing the ins and outs of data management, you’re heading right to success.
