Big data is a term used to describe the large and ever-growing volume of data organizations are collecting. Companies, institutions, and governments can analyze this data to reveal patterns and trends that can help them make better decisions. As a result, the role of big data in education is growing and evolving. This article will look into the history and development of big data in education, statistics on the growth of big data in education, and the role of big data in education today. It will also explore some of the future trends of big data in education.

The history and development of big data in education

Organizations have been collecting data for centuries, but it wasn’t until recently that we had the technology to store and analyze this data on a large scale. The term big data emerged in the 1990s, but it wasn’t until the late 2000s institutions universally embraced it.

One of the earliest examples of big data in education was the commencement of the Florida Student Assessment Program (FSAP)in 1999. FSAP was a state-mandated assessment program that collected data on student achievement from kindergarten through 12th grade. Florida state used this data to track student progress and identify areas students were struggling.

In recent years, big data has been increasingly used in education to improve teaching and learning. For example, institutions can use big data in education to track student engagement and identify potential dropouts. They can also use it to personalize learning for each student and optimize educational resources.

Experts estimate the global big data market to reach $234.6 Billion by 2026. The education sector is one of the fastest-growing segments of the big data market, and experts estimated it grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.9% from 2016 to 2020.

The role of big data in education today

Big data in education is revolutionizing the sector in a variety of ways. Here are some examples:

Tracking student engagement and progress:

Institutions are using big data to track student engagement and identify potential dropouts. Students have different comprehension abilities. For years the education sector has faced the challenge of developing a curriculum and teaching methods that cater to slow learners. Many students have lost motivation due to the teaching methods not catering to their needs. In defense of learning institutions, it wasn’t easy to track student progress and plan accordingly.

However, big data has been critical in ensuring students remain in school. Student engagement data has been essential in teachers paying more attention to the slower learners. Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong opportunities for all is the fourth United Nations Sustainable Development Goal. In addition, high literacy rates are crucial in achieving all the other goals. More learners must remain in school and complete their formal education. Big data in education is enabling this.

Personalized learning

Big data has been crucial in enabling learning institutions to embrace personalized learning. By collecting student engagement and performance data, teachers have categorized students. Then, they develop personalized learning material to cater to each student’s needs. Personalized learning customizes learning by considering each student’s strengths, needs, skills, and interests.

Identifying trends in student behavior.

Student behaviour is an essential aspect of the education process. All students must respect the rules, staff, and fellow students. Also, they must neither bully nor discriminate. However, there are numerous cases of indiscipline in students being caused by issues they face outside school. Furthermore, the school needs to track whether the community aligns with the institution’s policies, such as non-discrimination. Institutions are using big data to identify trends in student and staff behavior. By analyzing such data, learning institutions are conducting a more conclusive evaluation process.

Developing new teaching methods:

Institutions are using big data in education to develop new teaching methods based on real-time data collected from students. For example, big data has enhanced student learning by providing personalized feedback and recommendations. Previously, it has been difficult to gather feedback from stakeholders to monitor whether institutions satisfy those they intend to serve.

Improving school operations

Learning institutions are using big data in education to improve school operations by identifying areas where schools can save money or improve efficiency. For example, big data in accounting has enabled learning institutions to detect and prevent fraud. In addition, it has improved the auditing process, ensuring all students meet their financial obligations.

The future and trends

Big data is evolving rapidly, and the role of big data in education will continue to grow and develop in the years ahead. Here are some of the trends we can expect to see:

More use of big data in pre-kindergarten and elementary schools

Big data is currently more prevalent in secondary and post-secondary schools. Still, we can expect to see more use of big data in pre-kindergarten and elementary schools in the future. Even at the elementary age, there is a difference in comprehension abilities among children. Therefore, it is critical to collect this data in the foundation learning phase and adjust the teaching methods and plans accordingly.

More use of big data in higher education

Big data is currently primarily used in primary and secondary education. Still, we can expect to see more use of big data in higher education institutions in the future. For example, tracking plagiarism amongst students is still an issue in higher education. In addition, it will be beneficial in analyzing student projects that have a high probability of social change. After that, the universities can identify funding opportunities for the parties concerned.

Integration of big data with other technologies

Institutions and governments will continue integrating big data with other technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. This will allow for even more personalized and practical learning.
Big data in education is growing exponentially.

Experts expect the role of big data in education to continue to evolve in the years ahead. Institutions and relevant bodies are using big data in education to track student engagement and progress, personalize learning, and optimize educational resources. As a result, we can expect to see more use of big data in pre-kindergarten and elementary schools, and higher education institutions. Institutions and governments will also integrate big data with other technologies, such as AI and machine learning to facilitate even more personalized and effective learning.

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