WAT: a tool for classifying learning activities from a log file

  • Authors:

  • Jason Ceddia;Judy Sheard;Grant Tibbey

  • Affiliations:

  • Monash University, Caulfield East, VIC, Australia;Monash University, Caulfield East, VIC, Australia;Monash University, Caulfield East, VIC, Australia

  • Venue:
  • ACE '07 Proceedings of the ninth Australasian conference on Computing education - Volume 66
  • Year:
  • 2007

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Abstract

Web-based learning environments are now extensively used as integral components of course delivery in tertiary education. To provide an effective learning environment, it is important that educators understand how these environments are used by their students. This paper describes an approach to analysing website interactions data captured on log files that goes beyond simply tabulating frequencies of navigation path traversals through a website. A Weblog Analysis Tool (WAT) has been built to facilitate this process. WAT allows the educator to describe activities from sequences of website interactions that are meaningful in the course context. The tool is then used to processes the log file to determine which students completed these activities. The performance of activities provides insights into learning behaviour of students over the duration of the course. In this paper the application of the WAT tool is demonstrated through a study of interactions with a courseware website. The activities defined in this study relate to the learning objectives of the course and so provide the educator with an indication of how successful the website has been in assisting the students meet these objects.