Video Analytics in Moodle Using xAPI

This article presents the first iteration of the video analytics system VA4ME that enables the logging of video interactions in Moodle without the need to provide the videos by a separate plugin or website. Instead, the logging plugin injects, if allowed within a course, JavaScript code that logs video interactions and transforms these logs into xAPI statements. Using this data format creates the foundation for combining video interactions with other logs for more in-depth analyses. The analyses are conducted periodically, every 24 h. Advantages and challenges resulting from this approach are presented. It is described how the dashboard, visualizing the analysis results, was designed and how the analysis results are stored such that they can be retrieved as fast as possible. Overall, the setup of the video analytics system is quite extensive, as two Moodle plugins and Excalibur LA need to be set up. The advantages however, especially in the long term, including analyzing video interactions with other logs or easy extensibility with new analyses, outweigh the initial effort. The system was pilot tested in a blended learning course where videos were an addition to the lectures. The analysis results show little consumption of the videos, which limits the insights into the video usage. Still, the dashboard’s usability was rated good and the reports were considered promising in terms of providing more insights when more data is given. To further evaluate this potential, the system was integrated in a flipped classroom and a self-learning course where video usage was more central than within the pilot test course.