ABSTRACT
Analytics is one of those terms that tends to set heads spinning. Visions of complex algorithms, statistics, equations, and all manner of numerical contortionism may immediately spring to mind. This chapter explores the current state of analytics as a field of study. It discusses the various ways in which the use of learning analytics in non-academic workplace settings differs from its use in academic workplace settings. The chapter identifies ways in which learning analytics can support learning designers. It also examines the various ways in which the learning designer can determine an organization's learning analytics capability. Micro-level analytics focuses on tracking individual students and includes activities such as click-by-click online activity, library loans, and social networks. Meso-level analytics focuses on institutional level data to explore the efficiency of the institution's business processes, workflows, student retention, and the like. Macro-level analytics focuses on cross-institutional analyses, such as state-wide access to standardized assessment data over students' lifetimes.
