On Wednesday and Thursday, 1-2 March 2023, at the Faculty of Organization and Informatics, University of Zagreb (FOI), a work meeting, focus group and research workshop of the project "HELA – Improving HEI maturity to implement learning analytics" were held, led by Prof. Nina Begičević Ređep, Ph.D. and Prof. Diana Šimić, Ph.D., with 6 experts in the field of learning analytics, from eminent European universities - Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Katholieke Universiteit, Leuven and the University Computing Centre (SRCE).
The four-year research project IP-2020-02-5071 HELA, which started on March 1, 2021, is funded by the Croatian Science Foundation, with a budget of € 103,023.00. The main purpose of the project is to contribute to a better understanding and optimization of the learning and teaching process supported by learning analytics (LA) through improving higher-educational institution (HEI) maturity to implement LA. Within the project, a maturity framework for implementing learning analytics in a hybrid learning environment will be developed.
In addition to FOI as a coordinator, a significant contribution to the project is made by external associates from leading European universities, in the field of informatics, educational and related sciences: Prof. Hendrik Drachsler, Ph.D. from Goethe University, Germany, Prof. Bart Rienties, Ph.D. from Open University, United Kingdom, Prof. Wim Van Petegem, Ph.D. from Ku Leuven, Belgium and Assoc. Prof. Sandra Kučina Softić, Ph.D. from University Computing Centre, University of Zagreb (SRCE).
On the first day of the event, the experts, together with members of the HELA research team, held a work meeting, led by Prof. Nina Begičević Ređep, Ph.D. Through the work meeting, all results achieved so far within the second project period, which lasts until August 2023, were presented. The FOI research team, in cooperation with external associates, has published a number of publications at international scientific conferences as well as research journals in the past year.
Within the focus group held on the first day of the event, the categories and process areas of the maturity framework for the implementation of learning analytics in a hybrid learning environment were identified, and on the second day, the application of a well-known method for multicriteria decision-making – Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP) determined the importance of identified areas for the maturity of higher education institutions, for the implementation of learning analytics in a hybrid learning environment.
