Skip to main content

Using Large Margin Nearest Neighbor Regression Algorithm to Predict Student Grades Based on Social Media Traces

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Book cover Methodologies and Intelligent Systems for Technology Enhanced Learning (MIS4TEL 2017)

Abstract

Predicting students’ performance is a popular objective of learning analytics, aimed at identifying indicators for learning success. Various data mining approaches have been applied for this purpose on student data collected from learning management systems or intelligent tutoring systems. However, the emerging social media-based learning environments have been less explored so far. Hence, in this paper we present an approach for predicting students’ performance based on their contributions on wiki, blog and microblogging tool. An innovative algorithm (Large Margin Nearest Neighbor Regression) is applied, and comparisons with other algorithms are conducted. Very good correlation coefficients are obtained, outperforming commonly used regression algorithms. Overall, results indicate that students’ active participation on social media tools is a good predictor of learning performance.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Baker, R.S., Inventado, P.S.: Educational data mining and learning analytics. In: Larusson, J.A., White, B. (eds.) Learning Analytics: From Research to Practice, pp. 61–75. Springer, New York (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Dyckhoff, A.L., Lukarov, V., Muslim, A., Chatti, M.A, Schroeder, U.: Supporting action research with learning analytics. In: Proceedings of the LAK 2013, pp. 220–229. ACM Press (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Fancsali, S.: Variable construction for predictive and causal modeling of online education data. In: Proceedings of the LAK 2011, pp. 54–63. ACM Press (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Ferguson, R., Brasher, A., Clow, D., Cooper, A., Hillaire, G., Mittelmeier, J., Rienties, B., Ullmann, T., Vuorikari, R.: Research evidence on the use of learning analytics - implications for education policy. In: Joint Research Centre Science for Policy Report (2016). doi:10.2791/955210

  5. Hall, M., Frank, E., Holmes, G., Pfahringer, B., Reutemann, P., Witten, I.H.: The WEKA data mining software: an update. ACM SIGKDD Explor. 11(1), 10–18 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Leon, F., Curteanu, S.: Evolutionary algorithm for large margin nearest neighbour regression. In: Proceedings of the ICCCI 2015. LNAI, vol. 9329, pp. 286–296. Springer (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Leon, F., Curteanu, S.: Large margin nearest neighbour regression using different optimization techniques. J. Intell. Fuzzy Syst. 32(2), 1321–1332 (2017)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Popescu, E.: Providing collaborative learning support with social media in an integrated environment. World Wide Web 17(2), 199–212 (2014). Springer

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Roberge, D., Rojas, A., Baker, R.S.: Does the length of time off-task matter? In: Proceedings of the LAK 2012, pp. 234–237. ACM Press (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Steiner, C., Kickmeier-Rust, M. Türker, M.A.: Review article about LA and EDM approaches (Deliverable D3.1) (2014). http://css-kmi.tugraz.at/mkrwww/leas-box/downloads/D3.1.pdf

  11. Wang, Y.H., Liao, H.C.: Data mining for adaptive learning in a TESL-based e-learning system. Expert Syst. Appl. 38(6), 6480–6485 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Weinberger, K.Q., Saul, L.K.: Distance metric learning for large margin nearest neighbor classification. J. Mach. Learn. Res. 10, 207–244 (2009)

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  13. Wolff, A., Zdrahal, Z., Nikolov, A., Pantucek, M.: Improving retention: predicting at-risk students by analysing clicking behaviour in a virtual learning environment. In: Proceedings of the LAK 2013, pp. 145–149. ACM Press (2013)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Xing, W., Guo, R., Petakovic, E., Goggins, S.: Participation-based student final performance prediction model through interpretable genetic programming: Integrating learning analytics, educational data mining and theory. Comput. Hum. Behav. 47, 168–181 (2015)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a grant of the Romanian National Authority for Scientific Research and Innovation, CNCS – UEFISCDI, project number PN-II-RU-TE-2014-4-2604.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Elvira Popescu .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this paper

Cite this paper

Leon, F., Popescu, E. (2017). Using Large Margin Nearest Neighbor Regression Algorithm to Predict Student Grades Based on Social Media Traces. In: Vittorini, P., et al. Methodologies and Intelligent Systems for Technology Enhanced Learning. MIS4TEL 2017. Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing, vol 617. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60819-8_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60819-8_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-60818-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-60819-8

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics