First of all, what is xAPI?
Here’s it, straight from the horse’s mouth.

xAPI (Experience API) is an eLearning specification that makes it possible to collect data about the wide range of experiences a person has within online and offline training activities.

What is xAPI? (The Pantry)

Shafali and LilBit join forces to use xAPI for improving learning effectiveness.

In simpler terms, xAPI is a format that can be used to store data about how a learner goes through a learning experience. Thus, it stores information such as:

  • How much time did the learner spend on which activity?
  • Did a particular learner finish a specific activity or not?
  • How many questions did a learner get right (or wrong) in a quiz?
  • Which sections, modules, or activities did they skip?

How is the xAPI Data Processed? (The Recipes)

Shafali and LilBit analyze API data to determine the learner behavior during course implementation.

This data, which is stored in a JSON file, can then be retrieved and analyzed, either for an individual learner or for a group of learners. (Read “JSON Awareness for Instructional Designers” to get a simple but complete picture of this mysterious Mr. JSON.)

For example, an analysis could be done to determine:

  • Are the learners averaging a higher-than-expected completion time on an activity?
  • Are certain activities so boring/difficult/long that learners aren’t completing them?
  • Is there a particular question that’s stumping the majority of learners?

How does this Data Help the Instructional Designer? (The Chef)

Shafali and LilBit celebrate the outcome of xAPI data analysis and corresponding enhancements in their learning interventions.

The instructional designer can then use the above analysis to improve the overall course design as follows:

  • If several learners are taking a horrendously long time to complete an activity:
    • simplify the activity, because it’s weight in the learning intervention is low. OR
    • write a sentence explaining its importance (and corresponding duration), so that the learners see its relevance.
  • If an activity is being left incomplete by a majority of learners:
    • review and improve its instructions for clarity.
    • review and fix its interface for ease of use.
  • If most learners are facing difficulty in answering the same question correctly:
    • trace the issue to nail it down firmly. (Is it because there’s a lack of examples, or perhaps the examples were ill-chosen for your specific audience?)
    • correct the issue and watch future xAPI data to see if the issue is resolved.

Thus, it’s evident that xAPI can help improve the effectiveness of learning experiences.

More Questions to be Answered Later…

But this leaves us with a few more questions. For instance,

  • How and where does the data get stored? Read JSON Awareness for Instructional Designers.
  • Who decides which data is important and should be stored for further analysis?
  • What part does an instructional designer play in the creation, classification, and storage of this data?

Think, reflect, explore.