[From the Archives] Ep 72: Dr. John Fritz on Researching Course Design and Analytics

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On this episode, Katie is joined by Dr. John Fritz, an Associate Vice President for Instructional Technology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Working within UMBC’s Division of Information Technology, John is responsible for UMBC’s focused efforts in teaching, learning and technology, including learning analytics. He is also responsible for tier 1 (basic) user support including knowledge management. Previously, John served as UMBC’s Director of News & Online Information, and has more than 10 years’ experience as a public information officer, writer and editor in three University of Maryland campuses. John holds a Ph.D in Language, Literacy and Culture from UMBC, a Master’s degree in English (with an emphasis in rhetoric and composition) from the University of Maryland, College Park, a bachelor’s degree in English and religion from Columbia Union College in Takoma Park, Maryland, and certificates in New Media Publishing from the University of Baltimore and Instructional Systems Design from UMBC.

Segment 1: Faculty Course Design and Analytics [00:00-11:59]

In this first segment, John shares about some of his research on Learning Management Systems (LMSs)

In this segment, the following resources are mentioned:

• Khan Academy
• Fritz, J., & Whitmer, J. (2017, February 27). Learning Analytics Research for LMS Course Design: Two Studies. EDUCAUSE Review Online. Retrieved from http://er.educause.edu/articles/2017/2/learning-analytics-research-for-lms-course-design-two-studies

Segment 2: Adaptive and Personalized Learning [12:00-21:44]

In segment two, John discusses the rise in adaptive and personalized learning platforms and what this means for research on student learning

In this segment, the following resources are mentioned:

• Barry Zimmerman
• Khan Academy
• Blackboard
• IMS Global
• Edwards, M., Ford, C., Fritz, J., Johnson, D., Pugliese, L., & Birk. (2017). From Adaptive to Adaptable: The Next Generation for Personalized Learning | IMS Global Learning Consortium. IMS Global. Retrieved from https://www.imsglobal.org/adaptive-adaptable-next-generation-personalized-learning
• Fritz, J. L. (2016). Using analytics to encourage student responsibility for learning and identify course designs that help (Ph.D.). University of Maryland, Baltimore County, United States — Maryland. Retrieved from http://umbc.box.com/johnfritzdissertation
• Fritz, J. (2013). Using analytics at UMBC: Encouraging student responsibility and identifying effective course designs (Research Bulletin) (p. 11). Louisville, CO: Educause Center for Applied Research. Retrieved from http://www.educause.edu/library/resources/using-analytics-umbc-encouraging-student-responsibility-and-identifying-effective-course-designs

Segment 3: The Art and Science of Nudge Analytics [21:45-34:05]

In segment three, John shares about a new interest area for him: nudge analytics.

In this segment, the following resources are mentioned:

• Thaler, R. H., & Sunstein, C.R. (2008). Nudge. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
• Glenn, D. (2010, February 7). Struggling students can improve by studying themselves, research shows. The Chronicle of Higher Education.
• Albert Bandura
• Carol Dweck
• Collection of articles by and about UMBC’s use of analytics

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