The impact of predictive analytics based advising on the selection and change of major among first-year, first-term students in engineering

The Use of Predictive Analytics to Shift the Culture of Academic Advising Toward a Focus on Student Success

“…In this regard, the focus of higher institutions of learning is to pinpoint any factors that may hinder their operations and work towards avoidance or mitigation of the risks using data-driven insights. Furthermore, the increased government focus on degree productivity and increased pressure on higher education leaders to improve degree completion rates have led to the implementation of predictive analytics as an important approach of aiding institutions to attain their goals (Upah, 2016). At the same time, students and parents are beginning to consider such elements as the time to degree and average debt load.…”

“…In fact, this is the model used by some of the largest institutions of learning like Harvard University, which has recognized the significance of data analytics in predicting the performance of students. Moreover, institutions have transformed their teaching models from the traditional general teaching approaches to new personalized techniques (Upah, 2016). The implementation of data analytics in the education system is supported by the widespread acceptance of learning analytics among students.…”

Assessing the Impact of Academic Advising: Current Issues and Future Trends

“…Data are more available now than these ever have been but are not always used for predictive analysis or to guide decisions (Bichsel, 2012). More institutions are adopting predictive analytics in an effort to understand how to best distribute resources and services to improve student learning and persistence to graduation (Upah, 2016). In advising, predictive analytics is often used to help students make timely and relevant academic program, course, and career choices while guiding advisors' interventions when students go off track.…”