learning analytics. online learning. transformative global education.
Macfadyen, L. P. (2020).
Using Quantext for curriculum analysis. In J. McDonald, A. Moskal, C. Gunn, & I. Elgort (Eds.), Quantext pilot study. Project report. Ako Aotearoa. https://ako.ac.nz/assets/Knowledge-centre/Quantext-For-rapid-analysis-of-student-responses-to-short-answer-questions/Quantext.pdf
Dewell,S., Birch, P., Cremin, C., Guimond, C., & Macfadyen, L. P. (2025, November).
A novel genomics educational resource for nurse practitioners.
ISONG World Congress, Montreal, Canada.
Guimond, C., Cremin, C., Dewell, S., Macfadyen, L. P., & Birch, P. (2025, October).
Integrating genomics into a Canadian Nurse Practitioner curriculum: A genetics-led pilot project.
CAGC & CCMG Joint Annual Scientific Meeting, Banff, Canada, October 5-8.
Cremin, C., Guimond, C., DeBruin, E., Macfadyen, L. P., Dewell, S., & Birch, P. (2025, October).
Keys to sustainable online genomics education: Strategies for long-term impact.
CAGC & CCMG Joint Annual Scientific Meeting, Banff, Canada, October 5-8.
Dewell, S., Tonkin, E., Calzone, K., Dwyer, A., Badzek, L., Himes, D. O., Lucas, R., Dungan, J., Davis, S., Walker, T., Birch, P., Cremin, C., Guimond, C., & Macfadyen, L. P. (2025, July).
Integrating genomics into nursing education.
36th International Nursing Research Congress 2025, Seattle, USA.
Dewell, S., Birch, P., Macfadyen, L. P., Guimond, C. & Cremin, C. (2025, June).
Advancing excellence in precision health through innovative nurse practitioner education.
19th Annual BC Nurse Practitioner Conference, Kelowna, BC.
Macfadyen, L. P., Morales, E., & Roche, J. (2025).
Culture and communication in digital worlds. https://digitalcultures.ca
This dynamic website and open educational resource (OER) shares the outcomes of an ongoing academic project on culture, communication, and digital technologies. It includes a growing, searchable collection of research, an invitation to contribute new work, and our 2025 review of the field.
Macfadyen, L. P., Birch, P. Guimond, C., Cremin, C., & Dewell, S. (2025).
Genetics and genomics for nurse practitioners.
See: https://blogs.ubc.ca/npedge/
A collection of learning materials for nurse practitioner education and NP professional development.
Macfadyen, L. P., Morales, E., & Roche, J. (2025).
Culture and communication in digital worlds. A scoping review of literature from the Third Age of internet studies.
The University of British Columbia. https://doi.org/10.14288/r5xm-qn87
What happens when people from different cultural backgrounds try to communicate using digital technologies? This review offers a roadmap and thematic analysis of literature we compiled from 2003-2023. In it, we consider what research is telling us about whether digital communication technologies represent new opportunities, new threats, or both, for human cultures.
Beaudoin, M.-S., & Macfadyen, L. P. (2026).
Self-regulated learning skills contribute to academic success and academic resilience in first-year students enrolled in an online physiology course.
Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 17(1).
Macfadyen, L. P. & Myers, A. (2023).
The “IKEA model” for pragmatic development of a custom learning analytics dashboard.
In T. Cochrane, V. Narayan, C. Brown, K. MacCallum, E. Bone, C. Deneen, R. Vanderburg, & B. Hurren (Eds.), People, partnerships and pedagogies. Proceedings ASCILITE 2023. Christchurch (pp. 482-486). https://doi.org/10.14742/apubs.2023.465
Macfadyen, L. P. (2023).
Integrating Indigenous pedagogies into online learning.
A web-based learning design resource for educators.
This web-based resource guides users through the elements of the 5Rs model, and offers ideas, themes, resources and example activities that can be included in the design of online courses. Short videos offer insights and suggestions from Indigenous and non-Indigenous colleagues engaged in this work.
Zumrawi, A. A. & Macfadyen, L. P. (2023).
Proposed metrics for summarizing student evaluation of teaching data from balanced Likert scale surveys.
Cogent Education, 10(2), https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2023.2254665
Macfadyen, L. P., Austin, J., Cao, P., Cheng, J., Cremin, C., Duong, L., Elliott, A. M., Guimond, C., Lim, S., Race,S., Rajan-Babu, I.-S., Richardson, A.,Wainstein, T., Zahir, F., & Birch, P. H. (2023).
A novel online genomic counselling and variant interpretation certificate: Learning design, learning analytics, and evaluation.
Journal of Genetic Counselling, 32, 1280–1. https://doi.org/10.1002/jgc4.1737
Banihashem, S. K., Noroozi, O., van Ginkel, S., Macfadyen, L. P., & Biemans, H. J. A. (2022).
A systematic review of the role of learning analytics in enhancing feedback practices in higher education.
Educational Research Review, 100489. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2022.100489
Macfadyen, L. P. (2022).
Institutional implementation of learning analytics: Current state, challenges, and guiding frameworks.
In C. Lang, G. Siemens, A. F. Wise, D. Gašević, & A. Merceron (Eds.), The Handbook of learning analytics (2 ed., pp. 173-186). Society for Learning Analytics Research. https://www.solaresearch.org/publications/hla-22/hla22-chapter17/
Macfadyen, L. P., Birch, P. H., Duong, L., Cao, P., Race, S., Cremin, C., Guimond, C., & Zahir, F. (2021).
Using learning analytics to optimize design of online learning courses in genomic counselling.
Oral presentation, World Congress on Genetic Counselling (Virtual Conference), 27–28 October 2021.
Macfadyen, L. P., Alabi, H., & Thompson, C. (2021, July 22).
Learning analytics in the COVID era.
EduBytes. CTLT Newsletter, The University of British Columbia.
Rashtian, H., Hashemi, A., & Macfadyen, L. P. (2020).
Harnessing natural language processing to support curriculum analysis.
Proceedings, ICERI2020, the 13th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, 9-11 November 2020 (Virtual) (pp. 1779-1784). Spain: International Academy of Technology, Education and Development (IATED). https://doi.org/10.21125/iceri.2020.0445
Macfadyen, L. P. (2020).
Content analytics for curriculum review: A learning analytics use case for exploration of learner context.
Proceedings, ASCILITE 2020: 37th International Conference on Innovation, Practice and Research in the Use of Educational Technologies in Tertiary Education, 30 November-1 December 2020 (Virtual) (pp. 42-47). ASCILITE. https://ascilite.org/wp-content/uploads/ASCILITE-2020-Conference-Proceedings-Draft-Version.pdf
Wei, J., Cutler, F., Macfadyen, L. P. & Shirazi, S. (2019).
Implementing learning analytics: Instructor perspectives.
Companion Proceedings, The 9th International Conference on Learning Analytics and Knowledge (LAK’19), March 2019 (pp. 56-61). https://www.solaresearch.org/core/companion-proceedings-of-the-9th-international-learning-analytics-and-knowledge-conference-lak19/
Banihashem, K. & Macfadyen, L. P. (2021).
Pedagogical design: Bridging learning theory and learning analytics.
Canadian Journal of Learning and Technology, 47(1), https://doi.org/10.21432/cjlt27959
Macfadyen, L. P, Lockyer, L., & Rienties, B. (2020).
Learning design and learning analytics: Snapshot 2020.
Journal of Learning Analytics, 7 (3), 6-12. https://doi.org/10.18608/jla.2020.73.2
Redmond, D. W. & Macfadyen, L. P. (2020).
A framework to leverage and mature learning ecosystems.
International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 15(5), 75-99. http://dx.doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v15i05.11898
Lang, C., Macfadyen, L. P., Slade, S., Prinsloo, P. & Sclater, N. (2018).
The Complexities of Developing a Personal Code of Ethics for Learning Analytics Practitioners: Implications for Institutions and the Field.
In Proceedings of the Eighth International Conference on Learning Analytics and Knowledge, March 7–9, 2018, Sydney, NSW, Australia. ACM, New York, NY, USA, 5 pages. https://doi.org/10.1145/3170358.3170396
Macfadyen, L. P. (2017).
What Does a Learning Analytics Practitioner Need to Know?
Joint Proceedings of the Workshop on Methodology in Learning Analytics (MLA) and the Workshop on Building the Learning Analytics Curriculum (BLAC), co-located with 7th International Learning Analytics and Knowledge Conference (LAK 2017), Vancouver, Canada, March 13th-14th, 2017.
Macfadyen, L. P., Groth, D., Rehrey, G., Shepard, L., Greer, J., Ward, D., Bennett, C., Kaupp, J., Molinaro, M. & Steinwachs, M. (2017).
Developing institutional learning analytics ‘communities of transformation’ to support student success.
In Proceedings of the Seventh International Learning Analytics & Knowledge Conference, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, March 13 – 17, 2017 (pp. 498-499). ACM New York, NY, USA. doi: 10.1145/3027385.3029426
Macfadyen, L. P. (2017).
Overcoming Barriers to Educational Analytics: How Systems Thinking and Pragmatism Can Help.
Educational Technology, 57 (1), 31-39.
Macfadyen, L. P., Dawson, S., Gašević, D. & Prest, S. (2015).
Whose feedback? A multilevel analysis of student completion of end-of-term teaching evaluations.
Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 1-19.
doi: 10.1080/02602938.2015.1044421
Macfadyen, L. P. (2016).
Using EventFlow and CoCo to explore classroom activity patterns and learner performance.
In Proceedings, Putting Temporal Analytics into Practice: The 5th International Workshop on Temporality in Learning Data. University of Edinburgh, Scotland, April 25th 2016. https://changingeye.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/macfadyen_lak16time.pdf
Macfadyen, L. P. & Roll, I. (2016).
Analytics in action: Research, prototypes and implemented solutions.
Prepared for UBC’s LTHub.
Clow, D., Ferguson, R., Macfadyen, L. P., Prinsloo, P., Slade, S. (2016).
LAK Failathon.
In Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Learning Analytics And Knowledge, Edinburgh, Scotland, April 2016 (pp. 509-511). ACM New York, NY, USA.
Macfadyen, L. P., Roll, I. & Sandilands. (2015).
Using easily accessible aggregate LMS and SEoT data to evaluate learning design, learner engagement and perceived course value.
In Proceedings, Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, Simon Fraser University and The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, June 16-19, 2015.
Roll, I., Macfadyen, L. P. & Sandilands, D. (2015).
Evaluating the Relationship Between Course Structure, Learner Activity, and Perceived Value of Online Courses.
In Proceedings, Second (2015) ACM Conference on Learning @ Scale, Vancouver, BC, Canada, March 14-18, 2015.
Macfadyen, L. P., Dawson, S. Pardo, A., & Gašević, D. (2014).
Embracing Big Data in Complex Educational Systems: The Learning Analytics Imperative and the Policy Challenge.
Research & Practice in Assessment, 9, 17-28. http://www.rpajournal.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/A2.pdf
Ferguson, R., Clow, D., Macfadyen, L. P., Essa, A., Dawson, S. & Alexander, S. (2014).
Setting Learning Analytics in Context: Overcoming the Barriers to Large-Scale Adoption.
In Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Learning Analytics And Knowledge (pp. 251-253). ACM New York, NY, USA. doi: 10.1145/2567574.2567592
Ferguson, R., Macfadyen, L. P., Clow, D., Tynan, B., Alexander, S., & Dawson, S. (2014).
Setting learning analytics in context: Overcoming the barriers to large-scale adoption.
Journal of Learning Analytics, 1(3), 120-144. http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/journals/index.php/JLA/article/view/4077/442
Macfadyen, L. P., & Dawson, S. (2012).
Numbers Are Not Enough. Why e-Learning Analytics Failed to Inform an Institutional Strategic Plan.
Educational Technology & Society, 15 (3), 149–163.
Cheong, P. H., Martin, J. & Macfadyen, L. P. (2012).
Introduction: Mediated Intercultural Communication Matters: Understanding New Media, Dialectics, and Social Change.
In P. Cheong, J. Martin and L. P. Macfadyen (Eds.), New Media and Intercultural Communication: Identity, Community and Politics (pp. 1-16). New York: Peter Lang.
Dawson, S., Macfadyen, L. P., Risko, E., Foulsham, T. & Kingstone, A. (2012).
Using technology to encourage self-directed learning: The Collaborative Lecture Annotation System.
In Proceedings, ASCILITE 2012, Wellington, New Zealand, November 2012.
Cheong, P., Martin, J. & Macfadyen, L. P. (Eds.) (2012).
New Media and Intercultural Communication: Identity, Community and Politics.
Peter Lang Publisher.
At the start of the second decade of the new millennium, there is increasing awareness of the development of newer ‘smart’ and more interactive media in precipitate speed in many parts of the world. The concept of change – in contrast to continuity – is central to the increasing interest in digital media. This focus has not, however, been vigorously matched by substantive theoretical discussions, or by extensive empirical examinations of computer-mediated communication and intercultural communication. Against such a backdrop, contributors to this volume offer theoretical insights, fresh evidence and rich applications in assessing the nature of digital culture(s) in order to address assumptions about the present state of mediated global society(ies) and the trajectory into the future. Chapters explore what happens in praxis when digital media are implemented across cultures and are contested and negotiated within complex local and political conditions. Special attention is given to showcasing prominent interpretative and critical research from diverse voices in multiple locations across the world and with varying backgrounds. As such, this volume presents a rich and colorful tapestry that offers opportunities for comparative analyses and deepened international understandings of digital media connections, particularly in the areas of identity, community and politics.
Macfadyen, L. P. & Hewling, A. (2011).
How the earth moved. ‘Difference’ and transformative learning in an online course on global citizenship.
In R. Land & S. Bayne (Eds.), Digital Differences: Perspectives on Online Education. Rotterdam: Sense Publishers.
Dawson, S., Macfadyen, L., Lockyer, L. & Mazzochi-Jones, D. (2011).
Using social network metrics to assess the effectiveness of broad based admission practices.
Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 27(1), 16-27. http://www.ascilite.org.au/ajet/ajet27/dawson.html
Macfadyen, L. P.(2011).
Perils of Parsimony: The Problematic Paradigm of ‘National Culture’.
Information, Communication & Society, 14: 2, 280 — 293, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2010.486839
Dawson, S., Macfadyen, L. P., Lockyer, L. & Mazzochi-Jones, D. (2010).
From neural to social: Medical student admissions criteria and engagement in a social learning environment.
(ASCILITE 2010, Sydney, Australia, December 2010).
Sorenson, P. & Macfadyen, L.P. (2010).
The Learner Interaction Monitoring System (LiMS): Capturing Online Learner Behaviour.
(In J. Sanchez & K. Zhang (Eds.), Proceedings of World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education 2010 (p. 2725), October 18, 2010. Chesapeake, VA: AACE.)
Sorenson, P. & Macfadyen, L. P. (2010).
Learner Interaction Monitoring System (LiMS): Capturing the Behaviors of Online Learners and Evaluating Online Training Courses.
(6th Designs on eLearning Conference, Savannah, Georgia, USA, September 15-17, 2010).
Macfadyen, L. P. (2010).
Current State Analysis of LMS and Web-based Tool Use in UBC Teaching and Learning Activities. Stage 1 Report: Blackboard Vista use data/data gathering on use of other tools, 2009W.
Prepared for the UBC Learning Technology Advisory Committee.
Macfadyen, L. P. & Sorenson, P. (2010).
Learner Interaction Monitoring System (LiMS): Capturing the Behaviors of Online Learners and Evaluating Online Training Courses.
(6th International Conference on Data Mining, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, July 12-15, 2010)
Leah P. Macfadyen 