This half day workshop is the 4th annual pre-conference meeting at LAK to discuss the ways in which theory informs and arises from learning analytics research. The organisers will briefly set the scene then hand over to Andy Nguyen to give the keynote presentation on a new generic Framework for Analysing Regulation in Collaborative Learning (FARCL). The second half of the workshop will be devoted to conversation. Participants are invited to nominate a current research project or new research idea that would benefit from a roundtable-style discussion with colleagues, including a theoretical framework that is of interest. In groups, participants will consider how nominated projects can demonstrate the role of theory in their design, model validation, and interpretation of findings.

The workshop continues to build on issues identified in the LAK 2019 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.