Abstract

This paper presents preliminary ideas, process and results related to the design of a learning analytics dashboard for supporting student engagement with learning during a course. Understanding students’ needs is important in designing effective learning analytics dashboards. Thus, the design should follow a user-centred or student-centred approach as understanding the needs of the user represents a significant part of the first stage in a user-centred design approach. Students needs are defined in relation to students’ activities and context of use of the system to be designed. A learning analytics dashboard (LAD) is designed to support students’ learning in a course scenario. Students needs are conceptualized based on literature and collected evidence. Among other things, students need meaningful feedback on their performance in various study tasks and support of progression of studies. These student wishes are discussed in what follows from the perspective of LAD design. The paper proposes a student-centred, theory-driven design framework for eliciting and including the students’ needs in the design. Implications for design and pedagogical practice and research are discussed.