Currently, the development of data-driven analytics for quantifiable activities is relatively easy. With appropriate technology, learning and development professionals can run a report showing where learners are struggling with a training program, or generate the distribution of scores for an online assessment. Where is this headed? 

In 2016, members of the Learning Analytics Community Exchange (LACE) project made predictions about the future of learning analytics and data mining – specifically for the year 2025. Mostly positive, these included:

•    Classrooms will monitor the physical environment to support learning and teaching

•    Personal data tracking will support learning

•    Individuals will control their own data

•    Open systems for learning analytics will be widely adopted

•    Learning analytics systems will be essential tools of educational management

•    Most teaching will be delegated to computers

•    Analytics will support self-directed autonomous learning.

Interestingly, one member predicted that – because of many problems stemming from our use of data – analytics will rarely be used in education in the future: 

[In 2025,] courses that are automated by analytics are seen as inferior, and learners have realised that they can game the system. There have been major leaks of sensitive personal data, and it is clear that, even where this has not happened, many companies have misused the data generated by their learning analytics. 

As learning professionals, where does this leave us? Jan Hylén, a strategic analyst and writer for LACE argues that our challenge as educators is to “develop analytics that start with questions, not data” (Hylén, 2015). As educators, then, we must critically consider which problems analytics can help us to solve, and what we will gain from their use. And, we must do this before diving into the data.

If we develop a better understanding of the scope and uses of big data in education, we will not only be able to use this data to inform courseware development, but also to expand into new areas. In this regard, it seems that the future of big data is bright.