A Flexible Framework for the Authoring of Reusable and Portable Learning Analytics Gadgets

Technology supported learning is nowadays often based on heterogeneous environments that encompass not only one application and also possibly involve different devices. This creates specific challenges for data analysis and thus for learning analytics. In this paper, we propose a framework to create reusable learning analytics components that are portable to different target platforms. In this approach, the logic of each analysis component is specified in a separate web-based visual environment (or "workbench") from where it is later exported to the target environments form of a gadget-based dashboard. We demonstrate this mechanism in the context of the Go-Lab portal for accessing remote laboratories in STEM learning scenarios. An example shows how such analytics gadgets can be used to support collaboration inside the classroom.