Evaluating Productivity of Learning Habits Using Math Learning Logs: Do K12 Learners Manage Their Time Effectively?

Habits refer to behaviors that occur repetitively. As ICT tools spread widely in learners’ school lives, the Learning Analytics (LA) techniques enable researchers to monitor learners’ daily activities and understand their habitual behaviors via fine-grained analysis of the log data that traces one’s actions in digital environments. While types of learning habits were commonly evaluated with academic performance, little evaluation focused on whether the existing habit types involve high learning productivity. Therefore, this study evaluates the productivity of habit types using effective time management factors, including effectiveness, efficiency, and effortlessness. We collected learning logs from 114 learners at the age of 15 on average in a Japanese junior high school. Specifically, we analyzed their self-directed learning of doing math exercises from Apr. 2022 to Feb. 2023. The findings strengthen the importance of teaching and learning process through a better time management strategy in terms of building learning habits, where many students face difficulties. As the implications of this study, we could support learners in time awareness and time adjusting by recommending an appropriate type of learning habits considering its productivity. Hence, the regular scheduling of learning activities can not only improve the learning productivity of learners but also cultivate skills of self-directed learning with effective time management.