FreshEd
FreshEd #368 – Data-Driven Universities (Janja Komljenovic)
Sep 15, 2024
Janja Komljenovic is a senior lecturer at the University of Edinburgh specializing in the datafication of higher education. She discusses how universities are evolving into data-driven institutions, focusing on learning analytics to help identify at-risk students. The conversation addresses the ethical dilemmas of using data, balancing academic success with commercial pressures. Janja also highlights the financial paradox of investing in data technologies while facing increased expenses, underscoring the need for inclusive and ethical decision-making in this transition.
31:10
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Quick takeaways
- Datafication is reshaping universities by quantifying activities for enhanced decision-making but raises concerns about prioritizing the right metrics.
- Learning analytics can improve student outcomes through early intervention but risk oversimplifying complex educational dynamics if relied upon excessively.
Deep dives
The Rise of Datafication in Education
Datafication is transforming educational institutions by quantifying human activities and processes into machine-readable formats. This process encompasses everything from tracking student engagement to analyzing research impacts through metrics such as citations. For instance, scholars can quantify their contributions through citations, which may influence their career advancements and recognition within academia. Ultimately, datafication aims to enhance decision-making at various levels in educational settings, but it also raises concerns about what metrics are prioritized and how they reflect actual academic value.
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