The Use and influence of Learning Analytics in Higher Educational Institutions: A Mediation Model of Student Attainment between Student Retention and Student Employability.

Purpose: The goals of this article are to (1) identify factors influencing Learning Analytics in Bengaluru HEIs and (2) examine the mediating role of Student Attainment in the relationship between Student Retention and Student Employability in Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs).

Design/methodology/approach – This research assembles and synthesizes data on the application of learning analytics. Learning analytics is the subject of empirical studies, including Public and private higher education institutions in Bengaluru were each sent one of 485 questionnaires. In total, 450 Chancellery, Dean, HOD, and Directors participated and completed the survey. Thirteen questionnaires were eliminated from the analysis because of missing data or outliers discovered during the data screening process. We could sift through 437 surveys, making up the final sample. The study runs SEM analysis using the maximum likelihood method to test the causal relationship between learning analytics factors. The impact of retention as the independent variable (exogenous) on student employability as the dependent variable (endogenous) was tested along with attainment as a mediator between these two variables.

Findings: Evidence demonstrates how learning analytics may assist educational institutions in making better use of data for decision-making. The findings revealed that retention significantly indirectly affects Employability through Attainment. Attainment is significantly mediating between Retention and Employability. Since both standardized direct and indirect paths have a p-value below 0.05, thus, it is confirmed that attainment partially mediates the relationship between Retention and Employability of the students.

Originality/value: The current study has explored retention, attainment, and employability as the critical factors that must be considered before applying Learning Analytics in Higher Educational Institutions. The research results confirmed that students' employability is significantly influenced by retention and attainment. Educational institutions and academics, particularly those working in open and distance settings, should use the study's findings to stay abreast of this developing subject and provide the groundwork for further research.