Recently, one of the most important topics of conversation at colleges/universities has been data analytics. Using this method to gather information and analyze several different elements, there is more room for target advising. This includes the finances of an individual student and his/her academic performance.

The most reliable method seems to be using real-time dashboards, which would allow the university staff to be more confident when it comes to making certain decisions. This would improve the number of students who graduate from college with a degree and increase student retention.

What Is Real-Time Dashboard Data Analytics?

This method can help both staff and students decide on specific issues more efficiently. The most significant difference between real-time data analytics and conventional data analysis is that as soon as the information is collected, it is thoroughly reviewed, considering all the elements and putting them in a uniform frame before deciding.

The main advantage of this method is that everyone will be able to reap benefits out of it. On the one hand, students will enjoy targeted advising. Simultaneously, the college personnel is more likely to keep the students at the campus, thus ensuring financial support from federal and state officials. These officials consider the number of students who earned a degree and opposed to how many enrolled. 

Best Practices For Data Analytics

There are many different tools that universities and colleges tend to apply to up their data analytics game. The first one is the predictive method, which takes into account elements, such as the background of the student, finances, and current academic success, to determine whether they need advising or not. This can benefit college personnel because they can perform more efficient, targeted advising without hiring new staff, thus cutting down costs.

One of the most critical elements to consider when using such a method is to support certain human biases related to race or financial situation. For this reason, technology providers or an expert analytics team tracks and must be in charge of such an algorithm. 

Lastly, by allowing students to have an insight into their own data, the college will enable them to be informed on what info is taken into consideration when deciding whether they need or don’t need individual advising.

How Does It Benefit Everyone?

First, the employees will have a much better chance of predicting the rate of student dropouts for the year. By identifying and addressing the leading causes of students failing and giving up on their college education, the number of graduate students can be increased.

On the other hand, college marketing experts will determine the target groups they should focus on and thus make sure that the money invested pays off. 

In the end, it is the students who probably benefit the most, given the fact that those who need it will be individually advised to overcome educational challenges.

Concluding Thoughts

Yes, real-time analytics can be risky if the staff takes nothing but what the algorithm decides. However, when the knowledge of analytical experts and the information provided by data analysis is put together, everyone is sure to benefit!