Supporting adaptive learning pathways through the use of learning analytics: developments,challenges and future opportunities

Learning Analytics (LA) and adaptive learning are inextricably linked since they both foster technology-supported learner-centred education. This study identifies developments focusing on their interplay and emphasises insufficiently investigated directions which display a higher innovation potential. Twenty-one peer-reviewed studies are identified via a systematic review and classified based on the dimensions of a proposed framework. The findings of the review suggest that interesting work has been carried out during the last years on the topic. We conclude with a need for more research on the topic in specific learning domains and settings. Recommendations include: a clear strategy for adaptation augmented by LA, the combination of on-task with pre-task measures, and the combination of system-controlled adaptation with user-controlled adaptation. Future trends include the emergence of constructivist-collaborative environments that provide insightful models of complex student behaviour.     

Effect of a conspecific’s presence on deprived rats’ Performance: Social facilitation vs distraction/imitation

The present study investigated effects of (a) conspecific’s “mere presence” and (b) water deprivation on emission of dominant responses by rats. Zajonc (1965) suggests that a conspecific’s presence functions like a physiologically based drive in enhancing performance of dominant responses. Alternative interpretations suggest that a conspecific’s presence impairs performance by distracting the observer or eliciting imitation of “irrelevant” responses. The social facilitation vs distraction/imitation hypotheses were tested in a 2 by 2 design: Barpress-trained rats, deprived of water for 4 or 23 h, barpressed for water in the presence of a naive rat or alone. Results supported social facilitation theory: Performance was significantly higher when the conspecific was present rather than absent and when the responder was 23 h rather than 4 h deprived. In reconciling these data with conflicting results, it was suggested that degree of contact may be important in determining how a conspecific’s presence affects performance of dominant responses.     

Streaming and Subject Specialism at Key Stage 2: a survey in two local authorities

Following recent debates about the most appropriate form of school and curriculum organisation at Key Stage 2, a survey was conducted of the practice and views of 246 headteachers in two local education authorities (LEAs) with regard to streaming and subject specialism. The results show that there is very little streaming by ability and, except for music, very little subject specialist teaching. Practice with regard to curriculum integration was more varied although hardly any schools operated an entirely integrated curriculum. Only a minority of heads thought it would be possible to introduce streaming or specialist teaching in their schools, but the heads of the largest schools were very much more likely to think this possible. Heads’ views on these matters were considerably more varied than their practice, with a substantial minority of heads seeing value in streaming and in subject specialist teaching. The study shows the complexity of the relationship between educational beliefs and practices and shows that there is considerable potential for experiment with more varied practice.     

Using student norms to create positive learning environments

Ever since brash young students goaded one another to race chariots through the streets of the ancient world, elders have tried to understand and harness the energy of late adolescent normative group behavior. John Braxton and Timothy Caboni introduce a perspective and survey instrument that may help today's educators do just that.     

Parent academic involvement as related to school behavior, achievement, and aspirations: demographic variations across adolescence

A longitudinal model of parent academic involvement, behavioral problems, achievement, and aspirations was examined for 463 adolescents, followed from 7th (approximately 12 years old) through 11th (approximately 16 years old) grades. Parent academic involvement in 7th grade was negatively related to 8th-grade behavioral problems and positively related to 11th-grade aspirations. There were variations across parental education levels and ethnicity: Among the higher parental education group, parent academic involvement was related to fewer behavioral problems, which were related to achievement and then aspirations. For the lower parental education group, parent academic involvement was related to aspirations but not to behavior or achievement. Parent academic involvement was positively related to achievement for African Americans but not for European Americans. Parent academic involvement may be interpreted differently and serve different purposes across sociodemographic backgrounds.     

GAP: a Graphics Authoring Package which produces BASIC from graphical input

The authors argue that there is a need for a microcomputer software authoring package which produces graphics. The novel feature of the Graphics Authoring Package (GAP) which they developed is that it produces Basic code from the user's graphical input. GAP is described together with the results of an evaluation study. The results indicate that the package is easy to use, effective in rapidly producing graphics code and that, in general, it fills a gap in the current range of educational software.     

Education and European integration

The main purpose of this article is to discuss the implications for education and training of the movement towards integration in Europe in the historic context of the creation of a single market within the European Community (EC) and the end of the Communist regimes in Central and Eastern Europe. The experience of the EC is used to illustrate trends and problems in the development of international cooperation in education and training. Common concerns and priorities throughout the new Europe are then identified and discussed. These include the pursuit of quality in schooling, efforts to serve the interests of disadvantaged learners, and the treatment of European Studies in the curriculum, including the improvement of the teaching of foreign languages.

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Zusammenfassung Dieser Artikel stellt die Auswirkungen auf Bildung und Weiterbildung von Bemühungen um die Schaffung eines Gesamteuropas im historischen Kontext eines gesamteuropäischen Marktes und des Endes der kommunistischen Regimes in Ost- und Mitteleuropa dar. Die Erfahrungen der europäischen Gemeinschaft dienen zur Illustration von Trends und Problemen in der Entwicklung internationaler Kooperation in Bildung und Ausbildung. Im weiteren werden gemeinsame Interessen und Prioritäten im neuen Europa identifiziert und diskutiert. Dazu gehöen die Verbesserung der Qualität im Schulwesen, Bemühungen, Belange benachteiligter Schüler zu erfüllen, sowie die Aufnahme europäischer Studien in das Curriculum unter Berücksichtigung einer Verbesserung des Fremdsprachenunterrichts.

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Résumé L'intention de cet article est d'analyser les conséquences pour l'éducation et la formation du mouvement vers l'intégration européenne dans le contexte historique de la création du marché unique dans la Communauté européenne (CE) et de la chute des régimes communistes en Europe orientale. Les expériences de la CE permettent d'illustrer les tendances et les problèmes liés au développement de la coopération internationale en matière de l'éducation et de la formation. L'article identifie et examine ensuite les préoccupations et les priorités communes retrouvées partout dans la nouvelle Europe, parmi lesquelles la recherche de la qualité dans l'enseignement, les initiatives prises à l'intention des élèves défavorisés, la place réservée aux études européennes dans le curriculum, et notamment l'amélioration de l'enseignement des langues étrangères.