PhD Defense: A Bridge between Learning Analytics and Learning Design

We warmly congratulate our esteemed associate partner, DR. Marcel Schmitz, on successfully defending his PhD thesis on November 29, 2024.

Marcel is a senior lecturer and researcher in Data Intelligence and the Applied Data Science & Artificial Intelligence program at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences. In his dissertation, titled “Towards Learning Analytics-Supported Learning Design”, he focused on how education can be better personalized by incorporating learning analytics already in the design and course planning. His dissertation was supervised by Prof. Dr. Hendrik Drachsler (DIPF | Leibniz Institute & Goethe University Frankfurt), with co-supervisors Prof. Dr. Maren Scheffel (Ruhr University Bochum) and Dr. Roger Bemelmans (Zuyd University of Applied Sciences). Marcel’s dissertation provides actionable strategies not only for higher education but also for other educational sectors. His work envisions a future where learning is no longer a one-way street but a personalized and dynamic experience. “The goal is to align education with students’ personal learning objectives and preferences. Data can be a powerful tool in achieving this, as long as the human factor remains central,” Marcel stated.

FoLA: A method for the development of learning analytics-supported instructional designs

A key innovation in Marcel’s research was the invention of the FoLA design method, which facilitates the development of learning analytics-supported instructional designs. As part of his PhD research, Marcel Schmitz developed an innovative FoLA method to bridge the often overlooked gap between learning analytics and learning design. FoLA began as a board game at its core, introducing a multidisciplinary perspective on designing learning activities. By gamifying the process, the FoLA method enabled educators, data analysts, and instructional designers to explore how LA could inform and enhance teaching strategies collaboratively. FoLA has already been broadly applied during Marcel’s PhD journey:

FoLA | Digital: A Collaboration with studiumdigitale at Goethe University

Building on the success of the original FoLA board method, Marcel Schmitz collaborated with studiumdigitale at Goethe University to develop FoLA | digital, an innovative platform designed to advance learning design processes. This digital version of the method transforms FoLA’s principles into a versatile, interactive environment, enabling seamless collaboration and impactful learning designs online. FoLA digital offers real-time course planning and feedback integration features, allowing educators to design comprehensive, analytics-driven, and personalized learning experiences. By partnering with studiumdigitale, the digital FoLA version has been enriched with cutting-edge features and a robust framework, ensuring it meets the diverse needs of educators and learners while maintaining strong alignment with desired learning outcomes.

We warmly congratulate Marcel on accomplishing this significant achievement. His contributions have greatly enriched our knowledge and built up a community of FoLA followers that we are curiously looking forward to developing further.

We wish you all the best, Dr. Schmitz, Flame ON!