Analytics are catching on, in sports, in business, and in academics.
In baseball, analytics can explain a hitting slump. In business, analytics can forecast a company’s downfall. At WSU, analytics are helping us find ways to assist students and faculty, and to maximize our efficiency in doing so.
Last year, WSU partnered with the Student Success Collaborative, an online tool for academic advisors that can give them critical information in an easily digestible form. The SSC uses data about the performance of students since 2003 to identify trends and predict future student success in a given major. At WSU, most advisors are staff, but in some departments some faculty also provide student advising.
The predictive analytics allow SSC users to identify students and groups of students that may need special attention or outreach from advisors. The analytics also help identify trends that can help faculty with curriculum design. This can help us boost retention rates, improve student success in class, and keep students on the path toward graduation.
Advisors are getting more effective and efficient by using several online tools. They gathered in the CUB last week for training and discussion on Blackboard, Advising Notes, OBIEE Reporting and the Student Success Collaborative. Griha Singla, our SSC Education Advisory Board consultant, was on hand to provide training and explain how the platform can help advisors, faculty, and administrators.
The Student Success Collaborative and other online tools fulfill several of the goals within our Strategic Plan. They are helping us make data-informed decisions on academic offerings and to prioritize how we spend our time and resources. And most importantly, they are promoting student success in a new and dynamic way.
The technological tools and infusion of data into our advising and enrollment management processes are great enhancements. Students can attest to the power of meaningful personal interaction. Evidence-based discussions can help our academic advisors and faculty reach students at a critical point in their careers.
A great number of our first and second-year students have yet to declare a major, and we know that choosing a major early helps students succeed. Through use of the SSC tool, advisors will be able to provide students with data and historical precedent to help them make better informed decisions sooner in their academic career.
We’ve developed a website for the Student Success Collaborative. It provides information, resources and links for advisors, faculty,and other staff interested in the platform. Visit the site and please send your feedback to provost.social@wsu.edu.