Tracking and visualisation of student use of online learning materials in a large undergraduate course

This paper presents a detailed study that tracks the use of online supplementary material used by 250 students enrolled on an introductory University course in Physics. We describe the software tools used for tracking, which provide a richer and far greater level of detail than tools included as standard within Virtual Learning Environments. We also describe how the recorded data can be visualised in order to illuminate spatial and temporal routes taken by students through the material. The recorded styles of use are analysed in terms of students' level of achievement, as measured by their performance in the end-of-course examination, and how this changes for students failing the course and resitting the exam six months later.