Exploring the Utilization of the Big Data Revolution as a Methodology for Exploring Learning Strategy in Educational Environments

Powered by the ubiquity of internet applications and the relative ease of collecting countless data points, Big Data approaches afford both industries and consumers with the ability to track patterns of how people use applications and predict the actions that users will take in those applications. Although industry has widely adopted multiple data analysis and prediction techniques under Big Data, such approaches have not yet been widely implemented in educational applications. This chapter examines the latest trends related to Big Data analysis in various industries, including aspects of data collection, analysis, and prediction. A review of educational applications is provided, as well as the critical implications that Big Data approaches have for students, educators, and social equity. In short, this chapter seeks to heighten awareness of the potential affordances of Big Data for education to better understand and support learning strategy research and pedagogy as the field moves forward.