Comparison with Self vs Comparison with Others: The Influence of Learning Analytics Dashboard Design on Learner Dashboard Use

Abstract

This study uses log-file data to investigates how chemical process plant employees interact and engage with two distinct learning analytics dashboard designs, which are implemented in a virtual reality simulation-based training environment. The learning analytics dashboard designs differ by reference frame: the progress reference frame, offers historical performance data as a point of comparison and the social reference frame offers aggregated average peer group performance data as a point of comparison. Results show that participants who receive a progress reference frame are likely to spend less time reviewing their dashboard than those who receive a social reference. However, those who receive a progress reference frame are more likely to spend more time reviewing detailed task feedback and engaging with the learning analytics dashboard.