Online Learning Update

by Byrne Reilly, Venture Beat

Computer scientists are hoping data mining technology will improve online education. A $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation will allow computer scientists at Carnegie Mellon University to begin construction of a database called LearnSphere that will act as a repository for data for researchers studying the effects on students taking online courses. LabSphere researchers are culling information from 550 datasets on subjects like interactive tutoring methodologies, games, and open online courses, called MOOCS. The data points will provide computer engineers with a decent tally of what’s working and what’s not. The objective of LearnSphere is to make online education more effective and immersive. Specialists in human-computer interaction from MIT, Stanford, and the University of Memphis are also involved in the project.

http://venturebeat.com/2014/10/02/researchers-using-data-mining-to-improve-the-online-learning-experience/