Understanding Your StREAM@Leeds Data - Student Guide

While the use of Learning Analytics is becoming more common in Higher Education across the UK, the use of it here at the University of Leeds is new and we want to get it right. It is therefore important to make sure both you and those supporting you are aware of the strengths and weaknesses of approaching data in this way before even looking at the numbers and charts. Below are a few things to consider before diving into your data.

Ownership of your student data

StREAM@Leeds is designed for students and how you use it is up to you. It can assist you in reflecting on the way you engage with your studies, or aiding discussions with your Academic Personal Tutor. StREAM@Leeds is intended as a tool for you to take ownership of your data to support your time at the University of Leeds.

For your Academic Personal Tutoring meetings, you can let your tutor know you would like to look at your data by noting this down in the Learning Analytics section of the LeedsforLife Workbook in PebblePad.

Important

We appreciate that for some students being able to see your activity with digital resources is a hugely beneficial tool, as it allows you to recognise and reflect on how you approach your studies with data-informed context. For other students this level of information is not as beneficial and can be intimidating at first, therefore, if you prefer, you can choose not to access StREAM@Leeds.

Who can see your data

When you log in to StREAM@Leeds you will see your Student Profile on the dashboard that is displayed. We appreciate that who sees your data is extremely important. Your Student Profile is only accessible by you and members of staff associated with you such as your Academic Personal Tutor and School Support Staff. This means that no other student, external individual or organisation can access your data without your consent.

No other students, external individuals or organisations can see your Student Profile without your consent.

Whilst the Cohort and Top 25% averages on the engagement line chart shown on your StREAM@Leeds dashboard are calculated using data from you and your course mates, this will only be an aggregate value, therefore there will be no way for someone to identify your or any other individual student’s engagement rating.

Context for your student data

Context is very important when looking at your data, which should not be considered in a vacuum. In instances when your Engagement Ratings drop or aren't quite at the same level as your peers, you should consider whether this is a result of any external circumstances you have experienced. Also, while staff helping to support your time at the University of Leeds may identify periods where your Engagement Ratings raise potential concerns, it is important that you are able to recognise and provide this additional context to help you both understand why this may have been the case.

Engagement Ratings

We understand that students engage in many ways that are not visible purely through the Digital Education resources and University systems included in StREAM@Leeds. Students have different methods of study and goals which is why the engagement levels of one successful student may or may not be comparable to another. This system should therefore be considered as a tool to identify potential areas for discussion, and will supplement the knowledge and experience already offered by your Academic Personal Tutor.

Finally, as we begin to include more Digital Education resources into the system, your Engagement Ratings will become far more data enriched, so please bear this in mind when using the system at this early stage.

Using StREAM@Leeds to reflect

Seeing that you have high or low Engagement Ratings will only tell you so much, and it will be up to you to reflect on your own studies to see whether you are truly engaging on your course. However, by having a visualisation of how you interact with Digital Education resources, you and your Tutor will be able to start pinpointing potential areas for discussion in your meetings, and therefore highlight particular resources or support you could benefit from.