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Learning analytics (LA) is an important area of study in technology-enhanced learning that has emerged during the last decade. In earlier years, several systematic reviews have been conducted that focused on the theories behind LA or on empirical studies that utilized LA-based methods to improve learning and teaching processes in higher education. However, to date, there has been no systematic review of papers that have adopted a software perspective to report on the many forms of learning analytics software (LAS) that have been developed, despite these being used more frequently than before in higher education to support learning and teaching processes. To fill this gap, this paper presents a systematic review of LAS with the aim of critically scrutinizing the ways in which the use of interactive software in real-world settings may both support students in improving their academic performance and assist teachers in various pedagogical practices. A thematic analysis of 75 articles was conducted, resulting in the identification of three categories of LAS: at-risk student identification (ARSI) software; self-regulation software; and collaborative learning software. For each of these categories, we analyzed (i) the embedded functionality; (ii) the stakeholder (teacher and student) for which the functionality is intended; (iii) the analytical and visualization approaches implemented; and (iv) the limitations of the software that require future attention. Based on the findings of our review, we propose future directions for the development of learning analytics software. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data-driven school improvement has been proposed to improve and support educational practices, and more studies are emerging describing data-driven practices in schools and the effects of data-driven interventions. This paper reports on a study that has taken place within a national program where 15 schools from 6 different municipalities and organizations are working at classroom, school and municipality levels to improve educational practices using data-driven methods. The study aimed at understanding what educational problems teachers, principals and administrative staff in the project aimed to address through the utilization of data-driven methods and the challenges they face in doing so. Using a mixed-methods design, we identified four thematic areas that reflect the focused problem areas of the participants in the project, namely didactics, democracy, assessment and planning, and mental health. All development groups identified problems that can be solved with data-driven methods. Along with this, we also identified five challenges faced by the participants: time and resources, competence, ethics, digital systems and common language. We conclude that the main challenge faced by the participants is data literacy, and that professional development is needed to support effective and successful data-driven practices in schools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It has been argued that participation as involvement as well as taking part in decision making is a fundamental part of learning. The first large arena for experiencing this for many young people is the school. This paper investigates how 16 pupils at grade eight view their own and their teacher's role when it comes to facilitating participation. The pupils are interviewed the semester after a long researcher led participation project and the interviews are analyzed using thematic analysis. The analysis identifies four different types of participation from the pupils' responses. These four types can be connected to passive and active participation as well as participation as involvement and participation as influence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Student experience with different aspects of online instructional settings has been the focus of educational practitioners and researchers in many studies. However, concerning technology-enabled formative assessment, little is known about student satisfaction regarding different possible formative e-assessment strategies students are involved in. Using a 5-point Likert scale questionnaire, a web-based survey was developed to examine students' satisfaction with the formative e-assessment strategies within an enriched virtual blended course. The results show that, in general, the students were satisfied with the quality of their engagement and the quality of feedback across all the formative e-assessment learning activities. The results also show that the student satisfaction varied between and within the formative e-assessment strategies. However, the gap between the student satisfaction mean ratings across all formative e-assessment strategies was marginal and could not help researchers decide upon which formative e-assessment strategy that stood out as the most preferred one. Learner satisfaction with different formative e-assessment strategies was positively correlated to each other at various levels but no relationship was found between students' scores and learner satisfaction with formative e-assessment strategies. In the end, the study recommends a sustained and integrated use of all three formative e-assessment strategies (online knowledge survey, online student-generated questions and peer-responses, and electronic reflective journals) in the context of blended courses. The study suggests also further studies that would widen, diversify both the scope and research instruments to investigate learner satisfaction with formative e-assessment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides a systematic literature review of the research done in mobile assisted second language learning (MASLL) published since 2010. Starting from 1424 sources, 54 articles were selected using predefined selection criteria. The documents were analyzed and coded using the categories: educational form and level, study design, location, context, role of technology, pedagogical practice and learning impact. That information allowed an identification of major educational outcomes related to the integration of mobile devices into second language learning. In addition, the study contributes with a set of identified research gaps and recommendations for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As been highlighted by many, for instance by PISA, Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) is a critical and necessary 21st century skill across educational settings. While many initiatives have been launched to investigate the nature of these skills, fewer are the attempts to understand how they should be assessed. However, in 2015, the PISA organization presented a framework for assessing CPS skills. This paper reports on an exploratory study investigating the predictive validity of the PISA assessment framework and if and how modes of communication influence the assessment of 24 students' collaborative problem solving activities when using a computer-based assessment task system. The findings presented demonstrate that the PISA CPS assessment framework have a weak predictive validity, does not count for quality or productivity in communication, and that the mode of communication indeed influence CPS processes and in turn what is possible to assess. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]