A new web-based application, developed at Purdue, for use in Blackboard

This Fall, 12 large-enrollment classes — about 10,000 students at Purdue University – West Lafayette, will use Signals, a new web-based application developed at Purdue.

Helping students succeed academically is the goal of every instructor, advisor, and staff member at Purdue University.  Signals provides a way for instructors to find and reach out to students who may be struggling in their classes.   Signals detects warning signs in student performance and allows instructors to intervene when a student is not performing well in class, alerting and directing the student to help resources.  Most importantly, Signals allows intervention early in the semester, when students have the most opportunity to improve their performance and their grades.

How Does Signals Work?

To identify students who are at risk academically, Signals combines “predictive modeling” with data-mining from Blackboard Vista, Purdue University’s course management system.  When an instructor runs a Signals intervention, each student is assigned to a “risk group”, denoted by one of three stoplight ratings — corresponding to green (not at-risk), yellow (may be at-risk) or red (at-risk) stoplight icons – which are released to the student’s Blackboard course page.   When students see the stoplight icon, they get an immediate, clear and effective indicator of how they are doing in the class, with accompanying information on what the rating means and what they may do to improve their performance.

In addition, instructors can use Signals to customize and release personal intervention emails to their class, informing students of their at-risk status and directing them to available resources on campus – such as office hours, study materials, or help centers.

How is it Beneficial?

Students report that they value the individualized feedback and contact from their instructor that Signals provides, particularly in large enrollment classes.  They also appreciate knowing how they are doing in the class early in the semester, in time to get assistance that will help raise their grades.  Instructors who use Signals benefit from its ability to provide real-time feedback to students — as frequently as needed and fully customized for each class situation.  Providing feedback to students early in their academic careers gives them the opportunity to learn good help-seeking behaviors, which they may use to increase their chances for success in subsequent classes.

How do I find out more?

Instructors who are interested Signals will find more information on the Signals web site, including information on how to attend upcoming online demonstrations of Signals.