Civitas Learning (LAEP Inventory)

Synopsis

Civitas Learning is a US-based company that works directly with higher education institutions to build bespoke data science and learning analytics tools that make use of currently available student data. Stated potential data sources include virtual learning environments, social media, card swipes, libraries and housing.

Civitas Learning’s Student Insights Platform aggregates student data and uses a variety of tools for analysis and visualisation. The Illume tool demonstrates historic and predictive student data for institutional leaders and student service providers. The Inspire for Faculty tool provides real-time analysis of student engagement and behaviours in specific modules, as well as data visualisation tools and predictive modelling. Similarly, the Inspire for Advisor tool visualises student performance and success across modules and predicts programme completion. Degree Map helps students and advisors make individual degree plans. Additionally, the Hoot.me tool helps teachers build module-specific Facebook Q&A sections. Finally, Civitas Learning provides a course-scheduling platform for module enrolment.

Each of this wide variety of tools is individually developed with partnering institutions to fit their analytics needs, so platform uses and data sources vary widely. Civitas currently work with over 70 partnering institutions in the USA.

Classification

Inventory type:

smart system

Role of analytics:

alerting

summarisation & description

statistical inference

prediction

data visualisation

Data sources:

sources data from other systems: management information systems, virtual learning environment, social media, card swipe (varies by institution)

Keywords:

analytics, prediction, retention, student performance, visualisation

Tool in Context

Learning:

post-compulsory

Supply model:

varies by institution

Origin:

Civitas Learning: TEL vendor

Ethics and privacy:

Civitas Learning builds platforms in partnership with subscribing universities. No specific ethics and privacy statement is listed on the Civitas Learning website, and policies may vary by institution.

Languages:

English

Maturity and Evidence of Utility

Despite its wide use, relatively little empirical research has been conducted to test the effectiveness of Civitas platforms at partnering institutions. The research that does exist show limited results. For instance, in a randomised control trial at University of Maryland University College, users of Civitas’ Illume application outperformed non-users by just 3%. Thus, more rigorous, empirical evidence of the platform’s maturity is suggested for the future.

Further Information

Tool provider’s website: https://www.civitaslearning.com/

Civitas platform options: http://bit.ly/1ZN7xhP

List of partnering institutions: http://bit.ly/1ZNbh2D

Example(s) of use:

• Case study at University of Maryland University College: http://bit.ly/1lKdKxo
• Case study in three contexts: http://bit.ly/1PNqCes