Data storytelling in learning analytics? A qualitative investigation into educators' perceptions of benefits and risks

Mikaela Elizabeth Milesi, Roberto Martinez-Maldonado

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference PaperResearchpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Emerging research has begun to explore the incorporation of data storytelling (DS) elements to enhance the design of learning analytics (LA) dashboards. This involves using visual features, such as text annotations and visual highlights, to help educators and learners focus their attention on key insights derived from data and act upon them. Previous studies have often overlooked the perspectives of educators and other stakeholders on the potential value and risks associated with implementing DS in LA to guide attention. We address this gap by presenting a case study examining how educators perceive the: i) potential value of DS features for teaching and learning design; ii) role of the visualisation designer in delivering a contextually appropriate data story; and iii) ethical implications of utilising DS to communicate insights. We asked educators from a first-year undergraduate program to explore and discuss DS and the visualisation designer by reviewing sample data stories using their students' data and crafting their own data stories. Our findings suggest that educators were receptive to DS features, especially meaningful use of annotations and highlighting important data points to easily identify critical information. Every participant acknowledged the potential for DS features to be exploited for harmful or self-serving purposes.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationLAK 2024 Conference Proceedings - The Fourteenth International Conference on Learning Analytics & Knowledge
EditorsSrecko Joksimovic, Andrew Zamecnik
Place of PublicationNew York NY USA
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery (ACM)
Pages167-177
Number of pages11
ISBN (Electronic)9798400716188
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024
EventInternational Learning Analytics & Knowledge Conference 2024 - Kyoto, Japan
Duration: 18 Mar 202422 Mar 2024
Conference number: 14th
https://dl.acm.org/doi/proceedings/10.1145/3636555 (Conference Proceedings)
https://www.solaresearch.org/events/lak/lak24/
https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-3667/ (LAK 2024 Workshop Proceedings)

Conference

ConferenceInternational Learning Analytics & Knowledge Conference 2024
Abbreviated titleLAK 2024
Country/TerritoryJapan
CityKyoto
Period18/03/2422/03/24
Internet address

Keywords

  • data storytelling
  • information visualisation
  • learning analytics

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