DoIT's Tom Penniston Presents Paper at Copenhagen Conference

DoIT's Coordinator of Learning Analytics, Tom Penniston, recently presented his paper (UMBC login req'd), Toward a New Paradigm: Learning Analytics 2.0, at the 25th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, HCI International 2023, in Copenhagen, Denmark. The conference focused on adapting design to meet the needs of our evolving world, from the rise of deep fakes and battling the spread of extremist propaganda, to the legal and social implications of large language model AI, to supporting the needs of the neuro- and ability- diverse populations we serve. 

Penniston's paper analyzed ongoing UMBC efforts to leverage predictive machine learning models to inform empathetic behavioral nudges to support student success. He argues that through intentional, rigorous course design we can align intervention strategies with direct measures of learning at scale and thereby best support our students' individualized needs, while simultaneously improving institutional measures of success, such as reduced DFW and 6-year graduation rates.

Attending the conference was a great professional opportunity for Penniston, who was able to represent his department and the university, learn more from experts within the community, and network with peers. "It's really amazing and humbling to be surrounded at work by folks who encourage and support me to pursue these kinds of opportunities!" said Penniston.