A ML Algorithm Helped Prevent Students From Failing

V G • Sep 12,2024

Summary:

AI predicted a student’s final grade with 80% accuracy and saved 34,712 students from failing

Client: 

Ivy Tech, Indiana statewide community college, ranks as the fourth largest educational institution in the U.S. Established in 1963, it provides an affordable and diverse education to 160,000 students.

Problem Statement: 

Ivy Tech developed an algorithm to identify patterns in students’ online behavior by analyzing anonymized and aggregated metadata from their learning management system. As they accumulated more data, they transitioned to machine learning, which uncovered new insights—such as the correlation between students’ online engagement and higher course grades. Eventually, the algorithm could predict a student’s final grade with 60%-70% accuracy. With the increasing volume of data, the predictions improved but also introduced new challenges, prompting the college to migrate to Google Cloud’s integrated AI tool suite.

 

Results: 

  • A  80% accuracy in predicting course outcomes.
  • 3,000 students were saved from failing.
  • The college has been able to assist 34,712 students.

AI Solution Overview:

Ivy Tech developed a ML algorithm to identify at-risk students and offer early intervention. To enhance their system, the team migrated to Google Cloud’s integrated AI tool suite and used TensorFlow to build and power their ML model.

Ivy Tech carried out a pilot study using data from 10,000 course sections. The study identified 16,000 students at risk of failing within the first two weeks of the semester, allowing the college to intervene and address non-academic challenges that were affecting the students’ performance.

References: 

  1. How Effective is AI in Education? 10 Case Studies and Examples. https://axonpark.com/how-effective-is-ai-in-education-10-case-studies-and-examples/
  2. Ivy Tech develops machine learning algorithm to identify at-risk students and provide early intervention. https://edu.google.com/why-google/customer-stories/ivytech-gcp/

Industry: Education Services

Vendor: Google Cloud and TensorFlow

Client: Ivy Tech

Publication Date: 2016

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