Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Visualization and Dashboards: Challenges and Future Directions

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Visualizations and Dashboards for Learning Analytics

Part of the book series: Advances in Analytics for Learning and Teaching ((AALT))

Abstract

One of the important issues in e-learning environments is visualization of the patterns in a way that learners or instructors can understand. Most of the studies about dashboards aim at supporting awareness and reflection, self-regulation, and monitoring. Within the scope of this chapter, detailed information about visualization and dashboard is given, research in the context of visualization and dashboards is examined, design principles are introduced, and challenges and future directions of visualization and dashboard existing are discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 119.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Ahn, J., Campos, F., Hays, M., & DiGiacomo, D. (2019). Designing in context: Reaching beyond usability in learning analytics dashboard design. Journal of Learning Analytics, 6(2), 70–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ali, L., Hatala, M., Gašević, D., & Jovanović, J. (2012). A qualitative evaluation of evolution of a learning analytics tool. Computers & Education, 58(1), 470–489.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arnold, K. E., & Pistilli, M. D. (2012, April). Course signals at Purdue: Using learning analytics to increase student success. In Proceedings of the 2nd international conference on learning analytics and knowledge (pp. 267–270).

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Baker, R. S., & Siemens, G. (2014). Educational data mining and learning analytics. In K. Sawyer (Ed.), Cambridge handbook of the learning sciences (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. 253–274 p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertino, E., & Ferrari, E. (2018). Big data security and privacy. In A comprehensive guide through the Italian database research over the last 25 years (pp. 425–439). Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bodily, R., Ikahihifo, T. K., Mackley, B., & Graham, C. R. (2018). The design, development, and implementation of student-facing learning analytics dashboards. Journal of Computing in Higher Education, 30(3), 572–598.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brown, M., McCormack, M., Reeves, J., Brooks, D. C., Grajek, S., Alexander, B., Bali, M., Bulger, S., Dark, S., Engelbert, N., Gannon, K., Gauthier, A., Gibson, D., Gibson, R., Lundin, B., Veletsianos, G., & Weber, N. (2020). 2020 EDUCAUSE horizon report, teaching and learning edition. EDUCAUSE.

    Google Scholar 

  • Card, S. K., Mackinley, J. D., & Shneiderman, B. (1999). Readings in information visualization: Using vision to think. Morgan Kaufmann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, D., & Zhao, H. (2012). Data security and privacy protection issues in cloud computing. In 2012 international conference on computer science and electronics engineering (Vol. 1, pp. 647–651). IEEE.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Dabbebi, I., Iksal, S., Gilliot, J. M., May, M., & Garlatti, S. (2017). Towards adaptive dashboards for learning analytic: An approach for conceptual design and implementation. In 9th international conference on computer supported education (CSEDU 2017) (pp. 120–131). Porto, Portugal. https://doi.org/10.5220/0006325601200131

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13, 319–340.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drachsler, H., Dietze, S., Herder, E., d’Aquin, M., & Taibi, D. (2014). The learning analytics & knowledge (LAK) data challenge 2014. In Proceedings of the fourth international conference on learning analytics and knowledge (pp. 289–290).

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Duval, E. (2011). Attention please! Learning analytics for visualization and recommendation. In Proceedings of the 1st international conference on learning analytics and knowledge (pp. 9–17).

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Duval, E., Klerkx, J., Verbert, K., Nagel, T., Govaerts, S., Parra Chico, G. A., Alberto, G., Odriozola, S., Luis, J., & Vandeputte, B. (2012). Learning dashboards & learnscapes. In Educational interfaces, software, and technology (pp. 1–5).

    Google Scholar 

  • Dyckhoff, A. L., Zielke, D., Bültmann, M., Chatti, M. A., & Schroeder, U. (2012). Design and implementation of a learning analytics toolkit for teachers. Educational Technology & Society, 15(3), 58–76.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ertmer, P. A., & Newby, T. J. (1993). Behaviorism, cognitivism, constructivism: Comparing critical features from an instructional design perspective. Performance Improvement Quarterly, 6(4), 50–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Few, S. (2006). Information dashboard design: The effective visual communication of data. O’Reilly Media, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Few, S. (2013). Information dashboard design: Displaying data for at-a-glance monitoring (Vol. 81). Analytics Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fulantelli, G., Taibi, D., Ammirata, F., & La Mattina, C. (2019). A mobile learning analytics tool to foster students’ self reflection. In EdMedia+ innovate learning (pp. 721–726). Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).

    Google Scholar 

  • Gašević, D., Dawson, S., & Siemens, G. (2015). Let’s not forget: Learning analytics are about learning. TechTrends, 59(1), 64–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Govaerts, S., Verbert, K., Duval, E., & Pardo, A. (2012). The student activity meter for awareness and self-reflection. In CHI’12 extended abstracts on human factors in computing systems (pp. 869–884).

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Herman, I., Melançon, G., & Marshall, M. S. (2000). Graph visualization and navigation in information visualization: A survey. IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, 6(1), 24–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ifenthaler, D. (2015). Learning analytics. In J. M. Spector (Ed.), The SAGE encyclopedia of educational technology (Vol. 2, pp. 447–451). Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ifenthaler, D. (2020). Change management for learning analytics. In N. Pinkwart & S. Liu (Eds.), Artificial intelligence supported educational technologies (pp. 261–272). Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ifenthaler, D., & Schumacher, C. (2019). Releasing personal information within learning analytics systems. In D. G. Sampson, J. M. Spector, D. Ifenthaler, P. Isaias, & S. Sergis (Eds.), Learning technologies for transforming teaching, learning and assessment at large scale (pp. 3–18). Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ifenthaler, D., & Widanapathirana, C. (2014). Development and validation of a learning analytics framework: Two case studies using support vector machines. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 19(1-2), 221–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ifenthaler, D., Gibson, D. C., & Dobozy, E. (2018). Informing learning design through analytics: Applying network graph analysis. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 34(2), 117–132. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.3767

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jin, S. H. (2017). Using visualization to motivate student participation in collaborative online learning environments. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 20(2), 51–62.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jivet, I., Scheffel, M., Drachsler, H., & Specht, M. (2017). Awareness is not enough: Pitfalls of learning analytics dashboards in the educational practice. In European conference on technology enhanced learning (pp. 82–96). Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, L., Smith, R., Willis, H., Levine, A., & Haywood, K. (2011). The 2011 horizon report. The New Media Consortium.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan, I., & Pardo, A. (2016). Data 2U: Scalable real time student feedback in active learning environments. In Proceedings of the sixth international conference on learning analytics & knowledge (pp. 249–253).

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kuhnel, M., Seiler, L., Honal, A., & Ifenthaler, D. (2018). Mobile learning analytics in higher education: Usability testing and evaluation of an app prototype. Interactive Technology and Smart Education, 15(4), 332–347.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kuosa, K., Distante, D., Tervakari, A., Cerulo, L., Fernández, A., Koro, J., & Kailanto, M. (2016). Interactive visualization tools to improve learning and teaching in online learning environments. International Journal of Distance Education Technologies (IJDET), 14(1), 1–21.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lempinen, H. (2012). Constructing a design framework for performance dashboards. In Scandinavian conference on information systems (pp. 109–130). Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leony, D., Pardo, A., de la Fuente Valentín, L., de Castro, D. S., & Kloos, C. D. (2012, April). GLASS: A learning analytics visualization tool. In Proceedings of the 2nd international conference on learning analytics and knowledge (pp. 162–163).

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Mah, D. K., Yau, J. Y. K., & Ifenthaler, D. (2019). Epilogue: Future directions on learning analytics to enhance study success. In Utilizing learning analytics to support study success (pp. 313–321). Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Malik, S. (2005). Enterprise dashboards: Design and best practices for IT. Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mazza, R. (2010). Visualization in educational environments. C. Romero, S. Ventura, M. Pechenizkiy, & RSJ de Baker (Eds.), Handbook of educational data mining, 9-26. CRC Press

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Mottus, A., Graf, S., & Chen, N. S. (2015). Use of dashboards and visualization techniques to support teacher decision making. In Ubiquitous learning environments and technologies (pp. 181–199). Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Papanikolaou, K. A. (2014). Constructing interpretative views of learners’ interaction behavior in an open learner model. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, 8(2), 201–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pardo, A., & Dawson, S. (2016). Measuring and visualizing learning in the information-rich classroom. In P. Reimann (Ed.), Learning analytics. (41–55p). Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, Y., & Jo, I. H. (2015). Development of the learning analytics dashboard to support students’ learning performance. Journal of Universal Computer Science, 21(1), 110.

    Google Scholar 

  • Podgorelec, V., & Kuhar, S. (2011). Taking advantage of education data: Advanced data analysis and reporting in virtual learning environments. Elektronika ir Elektrotechnika, 114(8), 111–116.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rei, A., Figueira, Á., & Oliveira, L. (2017, September). A system for visualization and analysis of online pedagogical interactions. In Proceedings of the 2017 international conference on E-education, E-business and E-technology (pp. 42–46).

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Rieber, L. P. (1995). A historical review of visualization in human cognition. Educational Technology Research and Development, 43(1), 45–56.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rienties, B., Boroowa, A., Cross, S., Kubiak, C., Mayles, K., & Murphy, S. (2016). Analytics4Action evaluation framework: A review of evidence-based learning analytics interventions at the Open University UK. Journal of Interactive Media in Education, 2016(1), 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Romero, C., & Ventura, S. (2010). Educational data mining: A review of the state of the art. IEEE Transactions on Systems, Man, and Cybernetics, Part C (Applications and Reviews), 40(6), 601–618.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Şahin, M., & Yurdugül, H. (2019). An intervention engine design and development based on learning analytics: The intelligent intervention system (In2S). Smart Learning Environments, 6(1), 18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Şahin, M., Keskin, S., & Yurdugül, H. (2017). Determination of learner characteristics and ınteraction variables for e-learning design by feature selection algorithms. In 11th international computer and instructional technologies symposium (ICITS 2017). Malatya, Turkey.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarikaya, A., Correll, M., Bartram, L., Tory, M., & Fisher, D. (2018). What do we talk about when we talk about dashboards? IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics, 25(1), 682–692.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schumacher, C., & Ifenthaler, D. (2018). Features students really expect from learning analytics. Computers in Human Behavior, 78, 397–407.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwendimann, B. A., Rodriguez-Triana, M. J., Vozniuk, A., Prieto, L. P., Boroujeni, M. S., Holzer, A., Gillet, D., & Dillenbourg, P. (2016). Perceiving learning at a glance: A systematic literature review of learning dashboard research. IEEE Transactions on Learning Technologies, 10(1), 30–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sedrakyan, G., Järvelä, S., & Kirschner, P. (2016). Conceptual framework for feedback automation and personalization for designing learning analytics dashboards. In EARLI SIG 2016, Date: 2016/11/30-2016/12/01, Location: Oulu, Finland.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sedrakyan, G., Leony, D., Muñoz-Merino, P. J., Kloos, C. D., & Verbert, K. (2017). Evaluating student-facing learning dashboards of affective states. In European conference on technology enhanced learning (pp. 224–237). Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sedrakyan, G., Malmberg, J., Verbert, K., Järvelä, S., & Kirschner, P. A. (2018). Linking learning behavior analytics and learning science concepts: Designing a learning analytics dashboard for feedback to support learning regulation. Computers in Human Behavior, 105512.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sedrakyan, G., Mannens, E., & Verbert, K. (2019). Guiding the choice of learning dashboard visualizations: Linking dashboard design and data visualization concepts. Journal of Computer Languages, 50, 19–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Seiler, L., Kuhnel, M., Ifenthaler, D., & Honal, A. (2019). Digital applications as smart solutions for learning and teaching at higher education institutions. In Utilizing learning analytics to support study success (pp. 157–174). Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Sin, K., & Muthu, L. (2015). Application of big data in education data mining and learning analytics--a literature review. ICTACT Journal on Soft Computing, 5(4), 1035–1049.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Song, D., Shi, E., Fischer, I., & Shankar, U. (2012). Cloud data protection for the masses. Computer, 45(1), 39–45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Leeuwen, A., Janssen, J., Erkens, G., & Brekelmans, M. (2015). Teacher regulation of cognitive activities during student collaboration: Effects of learning analytics. Computers & Education, 90, 80–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Venkatesh, V., Morris, M. G., Davis, G. B., & Davis, F. D. (2003). User acceptance of information technology: Toward a unified view. MIS Quarterly, 27, 425–478.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wong, J., Baars, M., de Koning, B. B., van der Zee, T., Davis, D., Khalil, M., … Paas, F. (2019). Educational theories and learning analytics: From data to knowledge. In Utilizing learning analytics to support study success (pp. 3–25). Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, F., Huang, L., & Zou, R. (2015). The design of intervention model and strategy based on the behavior data of learners: A learning analytics perspective. Hybrid Learning: Innovation in Educational Practices, 9167, 294–301p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoo, Y., Lee, H., Jo, I. H., & Park, Y. (2015). Educational dashboards for smart learning: Review of case studies. In Emerging issues in smart learning (pp. 145–155). Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, J.-H., Zhang, Y.-X., Zou, Q., & Huang, S. (2018). What learning analytics tells us: Group behavior analysis and individual learning diagnosis based on long-term and large-scale data. Educational Technology & Society, 21(2), 245–258.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, Y. (2007). Measuring effective data visualization. In International symposium on visual computing (pp. 652–661). Springer.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ege University, Bornova, Turkey

    Muhittin Sahin

  2. University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany

    Muhittin Sahin & Dirk Ifenthaler

  3. Curtin University, Perth, Australia

    Dirk Ifenthaler

Authors
  1. Muhittin Sahin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Dirk Ifenthaler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Muhittin Sahin .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany

    Muhittin Sahin  & Dirk Ifenthaler  & 

  2. Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia

    Dirk Ifenthaler

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Sahin, M., Ifenthaler, D. (2021). Visualization and Dashboards: Challenges and Future Directions. In: Sahin, M., Ifenthaler, D. (eds) Visualizations and Dashboards for Learning Analytics. Advances in Analytics for Learning and Teaching. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81222-5_27

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81222-5_27

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-81221-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-81222-5

  • eBook Packages: EducationEducation (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation