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How do internet learning platforms measure the success of their courses and student outcomes?

Mira O'Currine

Internet learning platforms have revolutionized the way we acquire knowledge, providing flexible options for learners who are unable to attend traditional educational institutions. The success of any internet learning platform largely depends on how effectively it measures the success of its courses and student outcomes. As a user of multiple internet learning platforms, I have observed some of the methods commonly used to evaluate the effectiveness of courses and student outcomes.

One of the most common ways that internet learning platforms measure the success of their courses is through student feedback. After completing a course, learners are usually asked to provide feedback on various aspects of the course, such as the quality of the course content, the instructor's effectiveness, and overall course satisfaction. This feedback is incredibly valuable, as it helps internet learning platforms to identify areas that need improvement and also highlights what aspects are working well.

Another way in which internet learning platforms measure the success of their courses is through tracking student progress and success rates. Progress tracking can be achieved through the use of learning management systems (LMS) which provides instructors with real-time data on student participation, attendance, and performance. This helps instructors to identify students who may be struggling with the course materials and provide additional support.

Capturing student outcomes is also an important aspect of evaluating the effectiveness of an internet learning platform, and particularly so for learners who are looking to acquire new skills and credentials. An important way of evaluating academic programs is through assessing whether students are achieving learning outcomes. Consequently, internet learning platforms have adopted competency-based education (CBE) approach, where students are assessed based on their mastery of skills or knowledge, rather than simply accumulating classroom or online time. By using CBE approach, internet learning platforms can provide credentialing that is based on demonstrated competencies at the end of a course or a series of courses - offering transferable, lifelong learning credentials valued by employers.

Finally, internet learning platforms also evaluate their course and student success rates through user analytics. From the moment a user logs into an internet learning platform, all their interactions can be tracked, from the courses they enroll in, the amount of time they spend studying, and the progress they make. Analyzing user data provides internet learning platforms with insights into user behavior, providing a means of optimizing course offerings to match the interests and needs of users. The data also helps the learning platform to identify underperforming courses and students who may require additional support.

In summary, internet learning platforms employ a range of techniques to measure the success of their courses and student outcomes. These include tracking student feedback, tracking student progress and success rates, capturing student outcomes, and through analytics. However, measuring success is just half of the story, as internet learning platforms should focus on using this data to streamline their operations, offer ever more engaging courses and curricula, and to curate forums and communities of lifelong learners. Ultimately the learning experience must be designed to be engaging, providing quality learning that meets or exceeds the learners' expectations, leading to learning outcomes that are desirable, visible, and assessed in rubrics that command the confidence of all stakeholders. By doing this, internet learning platforms can help learners to acquire knowledge, achieve goals, and fulfill their potential.