Interaction design for improved analytics

Abstract

In this paper, we explain a portion of the design research process that we used to develop the learning analytics for a manipulative-based fractions intervention program. In particular, we highlight a set of qualitative interviews that we conducted with individual students after a short study in which students in three classes at the same school learned to use virtual manipulatives to compare pairs of proper fractions and order groups of 3 proper fractions. These qualitative interviews provided us with considerable information that helped us improve the interactions students have with the virtual manipulatives and produce more sophisticated and informative analytics. We emphasize the importance of using mixed-methods during the iterative cycles of development that define design research.