Applying the LALA framework for the adoption of a learning analytics tool in Latin America: two case studies in Ecuador

Abstract

Worldwide, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are recognizing the benefits of using Learning Analytics (LA). Thus, there is more research on the adoption of LA tools as well as works presenting different frameworks for implementing LA in HEIs, mostly in Europe. In the case of Latin America, the LALA Framework was defined, containing detailed guidelines for LA adoption that take into account policies, ethics, and development of tools in the Latin American context. However, this framework has not been applied in real scenarios. Thus, this paper presents the results obtained with the application of the LALA Framework for the development and adoption of LA tools in two Latin-American HEIs with different LA contexts. As a result, this work not only shows the feasibility of this framework to guide the adoption of LA tools but also shows that different LA context requires the execution of activities applying different approaches. This work proposes changes to improve the LALA Framework. Changes mainly related to the inclusion of adoption alternatives that allow practitioners to select the one suitable for their specific institutional context.