This half-day workshop addresses the enduring imperative of connecting theory and learning analytics – the ongoing work of striving for conceptual clarity, and being mindful of the role of theory in design, model validation and interpretation of findings. The organisers will set the scene by giving an overview of theory use in learning analytics (LA). This will be followed by a short plenary talk by Professor Roger Azevedo on ‘Emotion Theories and Learning Analytics’. Participants will be invited to nominate a current research project that would benefit from a roundtable-style discussion with colleagues, along with a theoretical framework of interest.

The workshop continues to build on issues identified in the LAK 2019-2021 Educational Theory main conference sessions, specifically: definitions of concepts, design, model validation and interpretation of findings. Expected outcomes are the ongoing formation of a community of practice, workshop initiative and building capacity to integrate theory and learning analytics in the field.