Classification of students’ achievement via machine learning by using system logs in learning management system

Abstract

During emergency remote teaching (ERT) process, factors affecting the achievement of students have changed. The purposes of this study are to determine the variables that affect the classification of students according to their course achievements in ERT during the pandemic process and to examine the classification performance of machine learning techniques. For these purposes, the logs from the learning management system were used. In the study, analyzes were carried out with various machine learning techniques and their performances were compared. As a result of the study, it was observed that Fisher’s Linear Discriminant Analysis was the best technique in classification according to F measure performance criteria. As another result, the most effective variable, in classifying students, is the average number of days logged into the system per month and week. It has been observed that total activity duration (min), total number of weeks and total number of page views during the semester are less influential factors. Accordingly, it could be suggested to check the monthly and weekly follow-up of the lectures instead of the total follow-ups per semester. In addition, students’ interaction patterns can be monitored with course tracking systems.