An introduction to StREAM@Leeds and how it is used to support digital engagement monitoring - SES Guide
StREAM@Leeds is the University of Leeds learning analytics system. The system collects data on a student's usage of digital education systems such as Minerva, library systems, lecture capture, and other key systems. It then calculates this usage into a single measure of engagement for each student, known as an Engagement Rating. Select SES staff can log in to StREAM@Leeds in order to support digital engagement monitoring.
The StREAM@Leeds Dashboard
A student's Engagement Ratings and a summary of their activity within key digital education systems are presented to them via their StREAM@Leeds Dashboard. Their Dashboard can help them begin to understand how they learn and engage with digital resources at the university. It looks back at how they have engaged and can help them to think about what successful behaviours they may want to adopt to achieve their goals.
SES staff responsible for digital engagement monitoring can also view the StREAM@Leeds Dashboards for students within their school and/or faculty. Academic Personal Tutors can see their tutees Dashboards. If you think you should be able to login to StREAM@Leeds see, Request access to StREAM@Leeds.
Engagement Ratings
StREAM@Leeds calculates Engagement Ratings for each student based on how much they’ve interacted with key digital education systems.
These Engagement Ratings are: Inactive (0), Very Low (1), Low (2), Active (3), High (4), Very High (5).
While these ratings are calculated on a daily basis, they consider activity from the last 7 days for full-time students and activity from the last 21 days for part-time students. This ensures that they do not fluctuate dramatically each day. For a full-time student, this means that if they have engaged at a high level between Monday and Friday but stop engaging on the weekend, they won't suddenly drop into the Inactive (0) category if they re-engage on Monday.
Engagement Ratings help to identify students who may benefit from support. For example, if a student has Inactive (0) Engagement Ratings for 7 consecutive days, Notifications can be used to flag this. Learn more about Engagement Ratings and how are they calculated
What are Notifications?
Notifications are a functionality in StREAM@Leeds which help to identify students whose Engagement Ratings fall below a defined threshold.
For example, if a student's Engagement Ratings fall below a defined threshold for 7 consecutive days, Notifications are triggered on the 8th day to alert SES colleagues involved in digital engagement monitoring. These colleagues may contact the student if they trigger a Notification, however, digital engagement monitoring is not punitive and is in place to offer an opportunity to provide support.
Whilst Faculty Student Success Officers define the parameters used for the Notifications used by their school/faculty, for example:
- No Digital Activity for 7 days
- Low Digital Activity for 7 days
Notifications are monitored and managed by SES staff who support digital engagement monitoring. SES staff are alerted of Notifications in a number of ways.
The student will be able to see that they have triggered a Notification when they view their StREAM@Leeds Dashboard. Learn more about Notifications
What are Exemptions?
Exemptions are used to prevent specific students from triggering a Notification. Exemptions can be applied in a number of scenarios e.g. authorised absence, dissertation period.
SES staff who support digital engagement monitoring can apply Exemptions to an individual student record, or to a group of students all at once, known as Bulk Exemptions. Applying Bulk Exemptions is particularly useful if you have a cohort of students who require a period of exemption over the same time and for the same reason, such as a Practice Placement.
Exemptions can be set to cover any date range and previously set up Exemptions can be extended, moved or deleted as required. When applying an Exemption staff are asked to choose from 1 of 5 reasons, e.g. authorised absence, dissertation period.
The student will be able to see if an Exemption has been applied, and the dates that it covers when they view their StREAM@Leeds Dashboard. Learn more about Exemptions
How does the SES Engagement Monitoring Tracker work with StREAM@Leeds?
The Notifications report available in StREAM@Leeds is imported into the Engagement Monitoring Tracker by designated SES staff weekly during term time.
The Engagement Monitoring Tracker allows SES staff to see which of their student's have triggered a Notification, along with other contextual information, enabling them to provide tailored support where appropriate.
In addition to the Tracker, SES staff responsible for supporting the digital engagement monitoring process can view StREAM@Leeds Dashboards for each student within their school and/or faculty. This is helpful when trying to build a picture of a student's engagement if they trigger a Notification.