Learning Analytics Through Generative AI: an Exploratory Study

The rapid advancement of generative artificial intelligence (GAI) has opened new pathways for enhancing educational technologies, particularly through the integration of learning analytics (LA). This paper explores the dynamic relationship between LA and GAI, assessing how their convergence could potentially transform educational outcomes. LA, which involves the measurement, collection, analysis, and reporting of data about learners and their contexts, serves as a crucial tool for understanding and improving learning processes. Combined with GAI, capable of creating content, simulating educational interactions, and generating personalized learning resources, the potential for tailored educational experiences is significantly expanded. This synergy not only enhances adaptive learning environments but also supports real-time decision-making, feedback, and intervention strategies. By examining various case studies and experimental implementations, the study highlights the efficacy of GAI in interpreting complex datasets provided by LA, thereby promoting an adaptive and responsive learning ecosystem. Additionally, ethical considerations, challenges, and future directions of this interdisciplinary approach are discussed to guide current and future applications. This paper proposes an exploratory study on the synergy between LA and GAI, using the AI4Design system, a web-based platform based on GAI for Design learning, as the framework where GAI complements LA. A case study is proposed using ChatGPT as the GAI engine. The first results show the power of the synergy GAI-LA.