Skip to main content
Log in

Statistical models for e-learning data

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Statistical Methods and Applications Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper we analyse a real e-learning dataset derived from the e-learning platform of the University of Pavia. The dataset concerns an online learning environment with in-depth teaching materials. The main focus of this paper is to supply a measure of the relative importance of the exercises (test) at the end of each training unit; to build predictive models of student’s performance and finally to personalize the e-learning platform. The methodology employed is based on nonparametric statistical methods for kernel density estimation and generalized linear models and generalized additive models for predictive purposes.

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

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Azzalini A, Bowman AW (1997) Applied smoothing techniques for data analysis. Oxford Statistical Science Series, Oxford

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Bjerve S, Doksum K (1993) Correlation curves measures of association as functions of covariate values. Ann Stat 21: 890–902

    Article  MATH  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Bowman AW (1984) An alternative method of cross validation for the smoothing of density estimates. Biometrika 711: 353–360

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Doksum K, Blyth S, Bradlow E, Meng XL, Zhao H (1994) Correlation curves as local measures of variance explained by regression. J Am Stat Assoc 89: 571–582

    Article  MATH  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Fan J, Gijbels I (1996) Local polynomial modelling and Ist applications. Chapman Hall, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Giudici P (2003) Applied data mining. Wiley, London

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Green PJ, Silverman BW (1994) Nonparametric regression and generalized linear models: a roughness penality approach. Chapman Hall, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Hastie TJ, Tibshirani RJ (1990) Generalized additive models. Chapman Hall, London

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Jones MC, Marron JS, Sheather SJ (1996) A brief survey of bandwidth selection for density estimation. J Am Stat Assoc 91: 401–407

    Article  MATH  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenblatt M (1956) Remarks on some noparametric estimates of a density function. Ann Math Stat 27: 832–837

    Article  MATH  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Rudemo M (1982) Empirical choice of histograms and kernel density estimators. Scand J Stat 9: 65–78

    MATH  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Scott DW (1992) Multivariate density estimation: theory, practice and visualisation. Wiley, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Scott DW, Terrell G (1987) Biased and unbiased cross validation in density estimation. J Am Stat Assoc 82: 1131–1146

    Article  MATH  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Sheather SJ, Jones MC (1991) A reliable data based bandwidth selection method for kernel density estimation. J R Stat Soc Ser B 53: 683–690

    MATH  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Simonoff JS (1996) Smoothing methods in statistics. Springer, New York

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Stone MA (1974) Cross validatory choice and assessment of statistical predictions. J R Stat Soc Ser B 36: 111–147

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor CC (1989) Boostrap choice of the smoothing parameter in kernel density estimation. Biometrika 36: 111–147

    Google Scholar 

  • Wand MP, Jones MC (1995) Kernel smoothing. Chapman Hall, London

    MATH  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Silvia Figini.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Figini, S., Giudici, P. Statistical models for e-learning data. Stat Methods Appl 18, 293–304 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10260-008-0098-4

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10260-008-0098-4

Keywords

Navigation