Overview

Over the last 15 years, the educational data mining and learning analytics communities have developed a range of algorithms tailored to the data and R&D goals of digital learning platforms. The Data Science Methods for Digital Learning Platforms certificate provides learners with a breadth and depth of skills that expand beyond existing courses of its length in data science or education more generally.
Through the Data Science Methods for Digital Learning Platforms certificate program, you will learn to use both algorithms designed specifically for digital learning platforms and how to effectively apply algorithms developed for more general purposes to digital learning platform data.
This program is open to US citizens or permanent residents only. Program funding is pending final confirmation. |
About the Program
The program is online and asynchronous, with one optional synchronous and virtual “ask me anything” session with the instructors. Each module includes discussion-based interactions with peers and instructors and a project-based assignment for which fellows will be able to apply the skills they learn using authentic tools and datasets. The examples and assignments corresponding with each module will align with real challenges and scenarios common to digital learning platforms. Emphasis is given to identifying the development of relevant research questions and understanding the limitations and affordances that different types of digital learning platform data may provide in addressing these questions.
This program is designed for individuals with a clear intent to pursue education research, and who have some degree of prior quantitative analysis background and either an intermediate-level understanding of statistics or psychometrics or a background in computer science. Twenty participants will be selected for the first cohort based on a competitive application process.
There is no cost to participate in this program, though final confirmation of funding is still pending.
This program is best suited for researchers or aspiring researchers who are committed to exploring education-focused research questions and bring professional experience from academia, industry, non-profits, school districts, or government. Applicants should have a foundational understanding of statistics or quantitative research methods and beginner-level proficiency in Python or sufficient knowledge of R. A wide range of academic backgrounds is welcomed, including education, psychology, sociology, economics, and computer science.
U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required.
Dates | Topics |
---|---|
August 18 - 22, 2025 | Introduction, Challenges, and Framework |
August 25 - 29, 2025 | Data and Measurement Validity |
September 1 - 5, 2025 | Prediction Modeling and Metrics |
September 8 - 12, 2025 | Feature Extraction and Feature Engineering |
September 15 - 19, 2025 | Data Visualization |
September 22 - 26, 2025 | Ethics, Equity, and Algorithmic Bias |
September 29 - October 3, 2025 | Data Management and Database Access |
October 6 - 10, 2025 | Knowledge Graphs |
October 13 - 17, 2025 | Knowledge Tracing |
October 20 - 24, 2025 | Cluster Analysis |
October 27 - 31, 2025 | Network Analysis |
November 3 - 7, 2025 | Sequential Pattern Mining and Temporal Analysis |
November 10 - 14, 2025 | Causal Reasoning |
November 17 - 21, 2025 | Neural Networks and Deep Learning |
December 1 - 5, 2025 | Natural Language Processing |
December 8 - 12, 2025 | Transformer and Foundation Models |
Partners in Collaboration
This program and certificate are made possible through a partnership between Penn GSE, the University of Florida, and Digital Promise.
This program is led by Principal Investigator (PI) Ryan Baker, Penn GSE; along with 5 co-PIs representing the collaborating institutions: Anthony Botelho, University of Florida; Bodong Chen, Penn GSE; Elizabeth Cloude, Tampere University; Stefani Pautz Stephenson, Digital Promise; and Jeremy Roschelle, Digital Promise.
This project is supported by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, through Grant R305B230007 to the University of Pennsylvania. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not represent views of the Institute or the U.S. Department of Education.
By IES requirements, only US citizens or permanent residents are eligible for this program. If you are ineligible for this program, you can find other training opportunities at https://seernet.org/research-training-opportunities/
Take the Next Step
Simply click the Apply Now button to create an account and submit an application.