Umm Al-Qura University Creates a Data Hub for All University Stakeholders
Deepening the Commitment to eLearning
Advancing an immersive eLearning system throughout Umm Al-Qura University is among the core priorities for the institution’s ambitious strategic plan. In 2018, the Saudi Arabia-based university, considered one of the most prestigious Islamic institutions, partnered with Blackboard to enhance its learning environment, utilising the platform to create a more connected, engaging and integrated experience. To promote eLearning adoption, the university developed internal benchmarks by introducing awards for academics who could earn distinctions based on innovative practice in eLearning.
The efforts deployed by the university paid off, and eLearning became an established component of Umm Al-Qura’s operations. As a result, the institution’s leadership was eager to advance the development of its technical infrastructure, particularly as it relates to data. Umm Al-Qura leadership was looking to make strategic decisions about online learning and teaching. Still, its traditional method of gathering feedback from academics and students during training sessions and through support ticket analysis needed modernising. Seeking additional support from Blackboard, the university needed a solution that would help its leadership understand the full breadth of how students and academics were engaging with the current system, as well as which tools were of most use.
The Solution
Umm Al-Qura leadership was not the only group eager to access the data. Senior stakeholders among the academics also wanted data to assess student barriers and solutions to improve outcomes. Therefore, Umm Al-Qura needed a solution that could be utilised and understood by all university audiences. In September 2020, the university implemented Blackboard Analytics for Learn, which provided them a comprehensive set of reports and dashboards that could be customised for each user’s particular needs.
Data-Driven Decisions Made Easy
One of the priority issues that Umm Al-Qura hoped to derive from data was the students’ preference for face-to-face and virtual courses. This was particularly important given the current worldwide conditions created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Umm Al-Qura found that while many students preferred remote learning, specific tools were deployed less effectively. The swiftness with which Umm Al-Qura leadership was able to identify these issues within Analytics for Learn data was impressive.
“With an all-in-one solution for university data, we were able to draw clear lines from course outcomes to program outcomes to university objectives,” said Dr. Ahmed Alharthi, Vice Dean of eLearning and Distance Education for Technical Affairs at Umm Al-Qura. “We know a lot more about the institution, the programs, the students and the instructors. It has enabled us to make the right decision, quicker and with greater confidence.”
Umm Al-Qura staff also used Analytics for Learn to help them identify why specific tools were not being adopted. Dr. Alharthi provides an example of this for the university’s rubrics, a previously underutilised tool. Using insights from the data, Umm Al-Qura staff were able to understand the barriers to usage and respond with training, how-to resources and helpful integrations that addressed the hesitancy of users.
To meet academics’ demands for data access, Analytics for Learn enabled Umm Al-Qura to supply customised dashboards and reports based on university roles.
“Using data at different levels—for students, instructors, deans, vice deans, executives—allows each role to utilise the reports relevant to their issues and establish autonomy to make decisions that improve their operations and outcomes,” said Dr. Alharthi.
This functionality also empowers Umm Al-Qura leadership to analyse outcomes within certain pockets of the institution. For instance, if a student is struggling and looking to enhance their standing, staff can evaluate metrics such as the student’s engagement with their courses, whether grading bias plays a factor, or whether university academics and deans interceded, among other things. According to Dr. Alharthi, having the ability to view the data for the instructional path of students by using Analytics for Learn has been of the utmost importance to Umm Al-Qura. With a critical focus on outcomes, this data proves to be indispensable to ensure the university addresses student experience and engagement.
Looking Ahead
Umm Al-Qura continues to create ongoing training resources that address student and academic issues identified by data. They also encourage academics to use the data findings to identify successful tactics and share them within the university-wide data hub. Creating a spirit of collaboration, the democratisation of data empowers everyone to make smart, data-driven decisions.
“Data is power,” Dr. Alharthi said. “The use of data to deliver education, enhance training and improve the outcomes of students through Analytics for Learn has given Umm Al-Qura the tools to continue the pursuit of our university vision.”
Blackboard Products: Analytics for Learn, Blackboard Learn