Nottingham Trent University
Draft Structure for the Student Dashboard Steering Group
Purpose
This paper defines the governance structures for normalising the operation of
the NTU Student Dashboard. It takes effect from the summer term 2015 and
replaces the existing pilot year project (2013-14) and initial institutional
implementation groups (2014-15).
NTU Student Dashboard
The NTU Student Dashboard is a learning analytics resource intended to be
used by both students and staff. It has been designed with three goals:
1. To improve student retention
2. To increase students’ sense of belonging to their course and the
University
3. To improve student attainment
Analysis conducted at the end of the pilot year showed that the underlying
methodology worked, effectively identifying a correlation between student
engagement measured in the dashboard and student progression and
academic attainment. It is recognised that there are still significant
developments required if the University is to fully exploit the potential benefits
provided by the Dashboard. This governance structure is to support the
business as usual management and future developments.
Governance Structure
The Steering Group will:
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Meet quarterly
Ensure that the Dashboard is aligned to University strategies and
integrated appropriately with University systems
Provide clear strategic direction, advice and robust governance to
ensure the effective on-going delivery of the Student Dashboard
Be accountable for, and seek to improve, the Dashboard’s performance
Coordinate effective communication to students and staff about the
Dashboard
Ensure that the Dashboard is used effectively in each Academic School
Coordinate developments to the Dashboard and ensure that such
developments are properly resourced
Advise the University on the ethical and legal considerations of
expanding the use of learning analytics
Report annually to ASQC
Ensure that future developments are properly resourced through the
IMSG process.
Ensure that there is adequate training and guidance available to
ensure that staff can use the Dashboard as effectively as possible
Co-ordinate the gathering of user feedback and commission research
to ensure that the Dashboard benchmarks best practice across the
sector
Commission task and finish groups to complete specific projects
Nottingham Trent University
Student Dashboard Steering Group
March 2015
1
A smaller Operations Group will support the Dashboard Steering Group.
The Operations Group will:
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Normally meet twice between each Steering Group meeting
Ensure that the Dashboard works effectively alongside other NTU
systems and processes
Produce reports on progress, potential risks and issues
Ensure a high degree of operational agility by being able to
commission small developments
Support the operation of the Steering Group by co-ordinating the
agenda
Membership
Steering Group Membership
1. Chair & Sponsor Pro-Vice Chancellor Academic
2. Project Lead, Student Engagement Manager, CADQ
3. IS Lead, Head of Business Solutions
4. One representative from ARES
5. One representative from ADBE
6. One representative from A&D
7. One representative from AH
8. One representative from EDU
9. One representative from NBS
10. One representative from NLS
11. One representative from S3
12. One representative from SST
13. One Academic Administration Manager
14. Academic Office, Academic Registry Manager
15. Library, Academic Liaison Team Manager
16. Student Planning, Student Planning Manager
17. Student Support Services, Student Services Manager
18. Students’ Union, VP Education
19. Student’s Union, Student Voice Manager
20. CADQ, Student placement: communications
In addition, the group will periodically call upon specialist support and advice
from:
 Information Systems
 Equality & Diversity
 Schools Colleges & Community Outreach
 Legal services
 CADQ
 A representative from Solutionpath will be invited onto the Steering Group
on the understanding that there may be issues that the group wishes to
discuss confidentially and therefore it would not be appropriate for them to
attend that part of the meeting.
Operations Group Membership
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Chair, Student Engagement Manager
One representative from Information Systems
One representative from an Academic School
Up to two other members agreed by the Steering Group
Nottingham Trent University
Student Dashboard Steering Group
March 2015
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APPENDIX
This diagram summarises the development from the pilot to the more formal
governance structure.
Nottingham Trent University
Student Dashboard Steering Group
March 2015
3