A quick response to one of the topics in Week 2

Answering the discussion topic by Xavier Ochoa:

AK vs EDM vs Educational Research by Xavier Ochoa - Wednesday, 19 January 2011, 04:10 AM

Today at the very interesting talk of Ryan Baker a question arise about the differences (and similarities) between Educational Data Mining, Learning and Knowledge Analytics and the traditional field of Educational Research. I think that this question deserves further exploration in this course. The definitions that those terms have in Wikipedia are very similar: Educational Research: Educational research refers to a variety of methods in which individuals evaluate different aspects of education including but not limited to: “student learning, teaching methods, teacher training, and classroom dynamics”. Educational Data Mining: Educational Data Mining (called EDM) is an emerging discipline, concerned with developing methods for exploring the unique types of data that come from educational settings, and using those methods to better understand students, and the settings which they learn in. Learning (and Knowledge) Analytics: Learning analytics is the use of intelligent data, learner-produced data, and analysis models to discover information and social connections for predicting and advising people's learning. Is there a difference? Do you think that EDM and LAK are just an evolution of Educational Research, but with better tools and data, or there is something radically different and unique in the new approaches? Do you think that EDM and LAK are synonymous or there is a meaningful difference between the two fields? Should we merge or we should keep them separated? Let's discuss.

My review was as follows:

I do believe that both LAK and EDM are from the areas of Educational Research even though not directly; more on technicalities in terms of data/information, methods of analysis. They are the shared areas between Educational Research and other technological research, such as artificial intelligence and of course data mining.

So far, this is what I understand from the 'research areas' that makes LAK (as shown in attached diagram).

- Shazz
Kuala Lumpur 10:30PM

Just started to 'follow' Week 2 activities,
- Shazz @ LAK

20 Jan 2011