Examining the Role of Big Data in Transforming Teaching, Learning and Educational Research

Abstract

Big data refers to extremely large and complex datasets that are difficult to process using traditional data processing applications. In the field of education, big data has the potential to significantly impact teaching, learning, and educational research. This paper examines the role of big data in transforming these three aspects of education. First, the paper defines big data and discusses its key characteristics relevant to education. Then, the opportunities and challenges associated with leveraging big data in education are analyzed. Next, the use of big data analytics to enhance teaching and learning, such as providing real-time feedback, enabling adaptive learning, and personalizing instruction is explored. The paper then covers how big data enables more robust educational research by facilitating access to large datasets, combining disparate data sources, and analyzing relationships between various variables. Three areas of educational research transformation including learning analytics, academic analytics, and action research are discussed. Overall, big data introduces many new capabilities for education, but also poses challenges around data quality, privacy, security, and interpretation that must be addressed responsibly. With the advent of new technologies, educators now have access to data in volumes never before possible, which if harnessed effectively, can lead to data-driven improvements across all aspects of education.