2022 Fall Learning Analytics Hackathon

Event Date & Time

  • November 5, 2022
    8:30 am - 5:30 pm

Event Description

Join us for the 2022 Fall Learning Analytics Hackathon on November 5th 2022! This one day event will give you a chance to build and showcase your learning analytics project and data skills. The goal for this year’s hackathon is to use data from a Canvas course to help an instructor answer real questions about their course – from the learner to course design. This is an opportunity for you to rapidly plan, develop, and present a learning analytics project. 

What is Learning Analytics?

Learning analytics is a diverse field that encompasses a wide range of research, practical application, and software development. The Society of Learning Analytics (SoLAR) defines Learning Analytics as:

the measurement, collection, analysis and reporting of data about learners and their contexts, for purposes of understanding and optimising learning and the environments in which it occurs, as defined back in 2011 for the first LAK, this general definition still holds true even as the field has grown. Learning analytics is both an academic field and commercial marketplace which have taken rapid shape over the last decade. As a research and teaching field, Learning Analytics sits at the convergence of Learning (e.g. educational research, learning and assessment sciences, educational technology), Analytics (e.g. statistics, visualization, computer/data sciences, artificial intelligence), and Human-Centered Design (e.g. usability, participatory design, sociotechnical systems thinking).” 

– SoLAR https://www.solaresearch.org/about/what-is-learning-analytics/ 

Projects from past hackathons have included an app that sends you Canvas assignment deadline reminders and a tool that uses neural networks to help you evaluate the quality of your discussion contributions. Innovative projects could be invited to become part of a UBC Learning Analytics pilot. This year, you will all be provided the same datasat, a couple of guiding questions, but will have the freedom to create any kind of project. 

Who Are We? 

The Learning Analytics Hackathon is organized by members of the UBC Learning Analytics Team, LAVA, and Open UBC. This year we need your help to explore, understand, and/or build something cool using real course data from an instructor who is looking to Learning Analytics to better understand their learners and improve their course. You can take a look at some of the previous Learning Analytics and Canvas hackathons that have been organized at UBC here.

Who Are You? 

You are a current UBC student who is keen to apply your skills as a programmer, data analyst, or statistician in an educational context. You know you have some programming / data skills, but have been looking for a low-stakes but hands-on experience to apply what you know. You wish you knew more about what data Canvas has and how it is / can be used at UBC, and would love to contribute to a project that aims to help students and instructors make the most of learning data. If any/all of these sound like you, then you should gather your team and sign up for the hackathon! We will provide data, space (this event will be hosted in the Sauder Learning Labs), mentoring, and lunch. 

Please note: In the past, our hackathons have been open to students of all skill levels and we have provided on-boarding and workshops for participants new to data work. However, this year due to the shorter timeframe of the event, participants will need a good understanding of data wrangling and analysis, a decent grasp of writing code (as a programmer or statistician), and preferably a familiarity with git/github. We look forward to offering beginner skill level hackathons in the future and encourage you to reach out to us if that is something you would like to attend. 

Wish there was a beginner friendly event? Tell us why and/or what you would like to see: Tell Craig and Alison why you’d like a beginner event.

What Now?

Take a look at the event details and schedule, register for the hackathon, and then keep an eye out for more details and further information. 

Event Details

Before the Hackathon

  • Find a team (we suggest at least 3 per team, with a maximum of 5) (you will sign up your team in Canvas once we send the enrollment link) 
  • Review the challenge details, data, and other materials (to be provided in Canvas at least 2 weeks before the event)
  • Some details are still being planned, and we will communicate after registration

What do you need to bring?

  • A coffee mug and water bottle!
  • Laptop and power cables
  • Your team should come prepared to get started hacking

After the hackathon

  • The top three teams will be invited to polish and present their work to the hackathon coordinators and other learning analytics experts for further feedback. 

Schedule

Saturday November 5th – Hackathon

  • 8:30am: Start Hacking! (Coffee and light refreshments provided)
  • 12ish: Lunch (provided) 
  • 4ish: Present your project
  • 5ish: End of Hackathon!

Contact

Have a question?  Ask Craig Thompson and Alison Myers.