bCourses Data Use and Analytics

UC Berkeley analyzes metadata from bCourses (Canvas), and uses this information to understand trends and patterns in the use of the learning management system and to improve services. UC Berkeley currently utilizes Canvas data to help advisors identify students who may be struggling academically and in need of additional support.

Canvas makes system data available to UC Berkeley in a standardized format known as Canvas Data. Canvas Data is currently used to provide UC Berkeley with institutional reports, allowing us to understand how widely Canvas is used on campus, explained in the article. Additionally, Canvas makes course-level Analytics tools available to instructors to help them understand patterns and trends within their own class. In October 2018, Canvas began to release enhanced course-level Analytics tools, which allow instructors to identify and communicate with students who are at academic risk in a specific course

Learn more about these features via the following Canvas articles: 

In addition to the features provided by Canvas, UC Berkeley is extending the functionality of Canvas Data by making it available to academic advisors, allowing them to track student performance and engagement across advising cohorts. Academic advisors do not have direct access to bCourses, but are presented with a portal providing both early alerts about students who may be at risk of not successfully completing one or more courses, and anonymized data about bCourses sites to help advisors understand how their advisees are performing relative to their peers. Only staff in an academic advising support role have access to the portal (named Berkeley Online Advising, or BOA).

This work has taken place under the oversight of the Vice Chancellor of Undergraduate Education and Chief Information Officer, has been reviewed for policy compliance by UC Berkeley’s Chief Ethics, Risk and Compliance Officer. RTL and UC Berkeley are continuously engaged with key stakeholders throughout campus and peer institutions to support the use of Canvas data as a tool to promote student success across all academic departments and programs. Please contact boahelp@berkeley.edu with any questions regarding this work.