The Importance Of Big Data Analytics In Higher Education

Let us start with what is big data? As per a dictionary-type of definition, big data can be defined as very large sets of data which are computationally analyzed for bringing forth patterns and structures in various spheres.

- Rinky Marwaha

Basically the conventional formats of dealing with voluminous data sets are not enough to take care of such volumes of data. These days, big data formatting is really changing a number of scenarios. Higher education is one of them.

At times, the size of a college or the number of students attending its courses is small enough to take care of application processing and admission tests manually. Sometimes, however, this work has to be computerized. Standardized testing with computational uses is the norm of the day. It is also known that such a scoring pattern may not really reflect the correct academic caliber of the students. This is the reason why colleges and educational institutions are making use of newer methodologies of collecting data to ascertain the academic standard of students. As per reports, a number of colleges are enhancing their social media presence to add weight to their online presence. Also, they look at social media profiles of students and check on the number of friends they have to be able to have some sort of connect with them and their mindsets. They go through this type of drill to get more students, as is obvious. The other reason is that the students whom they finally call for enrolment are likely to appreciate the college more and stay on to complete the courses and even be in touch with the college after they graduate.