Summary
Analytics tools like Kaltura and Brightspace offer useful insights—but they’re not foolproof. This article helps instructors understand the limitations of engagement tracking and how to use analytics as a conversation starter, not a grading tool. Learn why trust, context, and multiple measures matter when evaluating student participation.
Body
Overview - Kaltura Analytics
Analytics tools such as Kaltura Analytics and D2L Brightspace user engagement tracking offer valuable insights—but they should be viewed as perspective, not proof.
We recommend using analytics as a starting point for conversations with students, not as the sole measure of attendance or participation grades.
Why Analytics Can Be Incomplete
If a student doesn’t appear in your analytics report, it doesn’t necessarily mean they didn’t try to engage with your content. Several factors can interfere with data collection:
- Browser settings and plugins: Privacy tools, ad blockers, and certain browser configurations may prevent Kaltura from tracking viewership.
- VPNs: These can mask user activity, making it harder to associate views with specific students.
- Unlisted media links: If you share an unlisted Kaltura MediaSpace link, viewers who are not authenticated may show up as “Unknown.”
- Downloaded media: Views of downloaded videos are not tracked—Kaltura only records streaming activity.
Even when analytics show a student watched an entire video, it’s impossible to know whether they were actively engaged. Pressing play doesn’t guarantee attention—just like opening an email doesn’t mean it was read.
Best Practices for Instructors
- Use analytics to identify patterns, not to make definitive judgments.
- Combine analytics with other forms of assessment—such as discussion participation, quiz results, or reflective assignments.
- Foster a culture of trust and transparency. Let students know how analytics are used and encourage open dialogue about their learning habits.