Current stance on predictive analytics in higher education: opportunities, challenges and future directions

Abstract

Predictive models on students’ academic performance can be built by using historical data for modelling students’ learning behaviour. Such models can be employed in educational settings to determine how new students will perform and in predicting whether these students should be classed as at-risk of failing a course. Stakeholders can use predictive models to detect learning difficulties faced by students and thereby plan effective interventions to support students. In this paper, we present a systematic literature review on how predictive analytics have been applied in the higher education domain. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we conducted a literature search from 2008 to 2018 and explored current trends in building data-driven predictive models to gauge students’ performance. Machine learning techniques and strategies used to build predictive models in prior studies are discussed. Furthermore, limitations encountered in interpreting data are stated and future research directions proposed.

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