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Individualize learning through gamification and real-time dashboards
Dr. Lukas Fässler | D-INFK

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We aim to make use of learning analytics to individualize learning in service courses with big cohorts. The bonus system allows individualization for different student groups. The dashboard continuously visualizes learning progress and attractive bonus materials and services are being offered using a gamification concept. This should increase motivation and keep the dropout rate at a low level.
Abstract
Over the past 10 years, we have created attractive self-learning materials and a motivating didactical model to teach our 1st semester natural science students in computer science, which opens the possibility to discover important basic digital literacy competences on a scientific level. The aim of this project is to investigate how we can provide our learning materials and services for different student groups (e.g. novices, advanced, repeaters, etc.) on the basis of data from learning analytics. In order to achieve this goal we have planned three complementary activities: Firstly, a gamification concept in the form of a bonus system is to be implemented to our courses. The idea is, that active learners are provided with attractive materials and services (e.g. repetition questions, mock exams, possibility for a preliminary grade, personal Feedback on current performance, etc.) depending on their learning activity. As a second development a student learning dashboard is planned, which is also based on data from learning analytics. It allows visualizing the individual learning progress in small steps, so that even short activities lead to visible progress and put it into the context of the learning goals of the whole course. Thirdly, another dashboard helps the lecturers to monitor learning progress of large distributed cohorts in real-time. As a basis for the above-mentioned developments, a framework for learning analytics has to be created, which allows the collection and aggregation of student data from different data sources. This new structure could be of broad interest for many lecturers and learning professionals at ETH.
Success factors
• Real-time learning analytics: Use of aggregated student data to develop and optimize learning materials in big distributed learning systems. • Implementation of a bonus system at large scale in 1st semester courses: increases of self-responsibility and motivation in the transition from high school to university. • Pursue a gamification concept in three undergraduate courses: reward active learners with additional learning materials and services as soon as they reach certain levels.
Innovative elements
Real-time learning analytics: Use of aggregated student data to develop and optimize learning materials in big distributed learning systems. Implementation of a bonus system at large scale in 1st semester courses: increases of self-responsibility and motivation in the transition from high school to university. Pursue a gamification concept in three undergraduate courses: reward active learners with additional learning materials and services as soon as they reach certain levels.
Room for improvement
When arranging data in the personal student dashboard, the requirements are very complex and the possibilities are almost endless. The storage and deletion of the dashboards over the years must also be solved in the future.
Opinion of students
The following comments are from the student evaluation in HS2020: • «Clearly structured course with good bonus system. Effort is rewarded.» • «I found the bonus system extremely helpful because you learned automatically throughout the semester.» • «The way the bonus system is generally structured convinced me that even I (former computer science nit) could somehow manage to pass the course and even understand it.»
Tips for lecturers
• A well-designed bonus system can have a strong effect on student motivation. They are willing to spend more hours on a subject. • Real-time analytics allows immediate feedback and interventions if necessary. • The tailor-made technical development in close cooperation with teaching assistants and students has been very successful.

Links and downloads

Authors
Lukas Fässler
Dozent
D-INFK
Markus Dahinden
Dozent
D-INFK

Applicant Dr. Lukas Fässler | Manager Dr. Markus Dahinden | Contact person Dr. Lukas Fässler
lukas.faessler@inf.ethz.ch
| Department D-INFK | Institute Departement Informatik | | Filing date 01.10.2017 | Period 01.03.2018 to 31.08.2020

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