Data mining for the analysis of content interaction in web-based learning and training systems

Data mining is based on the detection and extraction of knowledge from a database. Web usage mining is a special form of data mining to address behavior in web sites. Web usage mining shall be proposed as the central, non-intrusive and objective evaluation technique for the analysis of the usage of web-based learning and training systems and in particular of the interaction with educational content in these systems. We will introduce and illustrate a number of mining techniques that were developed specifically for the educational context. The behavior of learners in learning and training technology systems, in particular when a variety of interactive learning and training features is offered, needs to be analyzed and evaluated in order to show the effectiveness and to improve, if necessary, the instructional design. We look at techniques to determine the goals of learning sessions, the detailed interaction with content, and the changing of learning behavior over time.