Sample Selector

Sample Selector is a tool for creating and editing samples, or groups of data you compare across—they're not "samples" in the statistical sense, but more like filters.

By default, a single sample exists: "All Data". With the Sample Selector, you can create new samples to organize your data.

You can use samples to:

A sample is composed of one or more filters, specific conditions that narrow down your sample.

Creating a sample

The general process for creating a sample is to:

The effect of multiple filters

DataShop interprets each filter after the first as an additional restriction on the data that is included in the sample. This is also known as a logical "AND". You can see the results of multiple filters in the sample preview as soon as all filters are "saved".

Help

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Logging New Data

There are a number of ways to log data from your course or study to DataShop. Important factors for selecting a method are the stage and technology of the tutoring system implementation. We'll examine a variety of cases in detail below, including each of their requirements and benefits.

The definitive reference for the logging format accepted by DataShop is the Guide to the Tutor Message format. This guide is intended primarily for software developers who to want implement logging in an educational tutoring application, or convert existing logs created by a tutoring application.

Getting Started - Project Assignment

Prior to logging data, you may want to reserve the dataset and assign it to a project so that you can view your data without our assistance. Otherwise, you will need to contact us to obtain access to the data after logging begins. You can create a "placeholder" (or files-only) dataset for one of your projects by visiting the Upload a dataset page. Choose the project or create a new one, and elect for "No transaction data now". After the dataset is created, you can access the data as it becomes available from the logging servers.

Logging URLs

Tutors or applications logging to DataShop should use one of the following URLs based on the status of data collection and the study in general. See the log conversion schedule for exact log conversion times. If you don't see your data, please contact us.

Name URL Description
DataShop QA https://pslc-qa.andrew.cmu.edu/log/server Log here to test that logging works from your application, course, or study, and to verify the content of your log messages. This server is for test data only, not for data from real subjects. No research can be done on data collected on this server. Processed logs are generally available in the DataShop QA web application within two hours: https://pslc-qa.andrew.cmu.edu/datashop
DataShop Production https://learnlab.web.cmu.edu/log/server Log here to record real student data from a study or course. Processed logs are generally available in the DataShop Production web application the following day: https://pslcdatashop.web.cmu.edu/

CTAT- and OLI-Based Tutors

Any tutor created with the Cognitive Tutor Authoring Tools (CTAT) or Open Learning Initiative's (OLI) tools has logging functionality built-in. Within this category, the scenarios for logging differ slightly depending on the deployment environment:

  • CTAT HTML tutor: this type of tutor can log to DataShop, but this setup must be coordinated with us to ensure that your tutor's logging request is accepted by the PSLC server. See the CTAT documentation for how to enable logging and for descriptions of the various logging parameters. There is general CTAT information available on their web site.
  • CTAT Java tutor: this type of tutor can log either to the hard disk of the system running the tutor, or if the system has Internet connectivity, directly to the PSLC server. Enabling and configuring logging is described on the CTAT web site. Contact us prior to running your study if you're interested in using this option.
  • Flash tutor created using the OLI tools and deployed to the PSLC server with the context of a course: this type of tutor will log to DataShop if properly configured. See the workbook page syntax above for an example of how to specify logging parameters. Note that the logging library is built in for these tutors.

Java tutors or educational applications not CTAT- or OLI-based

If you are creating a Java tutor or educational application and would like to log to DataShop, download and use the existing logging library. The Java logging library includes well-documented APIs and sample applications for learning to integrate logging functionality into your application. Also see the Guide to the Tutor Message format for more on the logging format produced by the logging libraries.

Tutors deployed via Carnegie Learning

Carnegie Learning provides logging of tutors deployed in their curriculum management system. To view these logs in DataShop, the logs must first be harvested from the local machines used in the study. As honest broker, Carnegie Learning then anonymizes the data and provides DataShop with converted logs.

If you are running a study involving Carnegie Learning tutors and you would like to use DataShop, please contact us and inform us of the location of the study, who's involved, and the timing of the study. Early notice is appreciated.

Tutors not created in Java or HTML

An existing project with sufficient technical resources may be best suited to implementing logging in a different language. If so, developers should consult the Guide to the Tutor Message format. In this case, the tutor should write log data to files, and the files can be zipped and sent to us.

alert Note: DataShop currently supports versions 2 and 4 of the logging format.

Name URL Description
DataShop QA https://pslc-qa.andrew.cmu.edu/log/server Log here to test that logging works from your application, course, or study, and to verify the content of your log messages. This server is for test data only, not for data from real subjects. No research can be done on data collected on this server. Processed logs are generally available in the DataShop QA web application within two hours: https://pslc-qa.andrew.cmu.edu/datashop
DataShop Production https://learnlab.web.cmu.edu/log/server Log here to record real student data from a study or course. Processed logs are generally available in the DataShop Production web application the following day: https://pslcdatashop.web.cmu.edu/
Version 9.4.4 August 2, 2017