Determining Students’ Learning Characteristics: A Data Analysis of a Distance-Learning Program

Abstract

The Consortium of Higher Education in Shinshu works to realize the development of the university via the mutual cooperation of higher education institutions and a linked social community. An important project for the consortium is the video conference system where students can take courses offered at other universities and earn credits at their own university. This study analyzes the viewing history data of a distance-learning class recorded content in an attempt to clarify the learning characteristics of students in distance-learning classes. By looking at the viewing times, it is possible to make conclusions about students’ learning characteristics, e.g., if they study in the morning or evening. This information may be an important element for constructing appropriate e-learning systems that support students.