For too many schools, Excel remains the default option for managing student achievement, attendance, and wellbeing data. Spreadsheets are familiar and flexible, after all, we basically grew up with them! However, as schools face increasing pressure for personalised learning, rapid intervention, and streamlined reporting, it’s worth asking: is Excel actually holding your school back?
Anyone who has managed student data in Excel knows the challenges:
In a world where every student’s journey is different, schools need faster, deeper, and more actionable insights than Excel can provide at the best of times. It’s time to discover what learning analytics can deliver.
Learning analytics refers to the collection, analysis, and reporting of data about learners and their contexts, with the aim of understanding and improving learning outcomes. In Australian schools, learning analytics is increasingly recognised as a powerful tool for identifying students who may be at risk of disengagement or underachievement. For example, research from the University of Southern Queensland demonstrated that analysing student activity within Learning Management Systems (LMS) can accurately predict academic success and inform timely interventions. By establishing data thresholds for LMS engagement, educators can proactively support students before issues escalate, enhancing both retention and achievement.
The importance of learning analytics in Australian education lies in its ability to personalise learning and inform evidence-based decision-making. As schools face growing diversity in student needs and learning styles, analytics enables teachers to tailor instruction and resources more effectively. Moreover, initiatives like the Australian Public Service Academy’s Data Literacy program highlight the national emphasis on equipping educators and administrators with the skills to interpret and act on data insights. This shift towards data-informed education aligns with broader goals in the Australian Curriculum to foster critical thinking and adaptability, ensuring students are better prepared for future challenges.
Australian schools are under increasing pressure from evolving NAPLAN requirements, heightened wellbeing and duty-of-care standards, and the rapid digital learning shift intensified by recent discoveries and the integration of technology into students’ lives. Investing in learning analytics equips educators with the data tools necessary to meet these challenges effectively and efficiently.
The cost of clinging to Excel and manual processes is slower intervention, missed opportunities for students, and excessive administrative workload on already stretched teachers.
Transitioning from spreadsheets to learning analytics doesn’t mean losing your data skills. Rather, it means freeing time from manual data wrangling to focus on what truly matters: teaching and supporting students.
Australian schools, large and small, are discovering the benefits of integrated learning analytics platforms. Whether your goal is reducing reporting stress, identifying struggling students sooner, or driving continual improvement, now is the time to upgrade your approach.
Book a personalised demonstration of the Learning Analytics Suite and discover how your school can unlock data-driven insights, streamline administration, and improve learning outcomes – all without the spreadsheet stress!