On this episode, guest host Dr. Mary Ellen Dello Stritto is joined by Mimi Recker, a professor in the department of Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences at Utah State University. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania. After a few years working as a software engineer in Silicon Valley (working on early Internet protocols), she earned her PhD from the University of California, Berkeley. Mimi worked for two years at the Georgia Institute of Technology and for four years at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand, before finally joining Utah State University in 1998. Mimi became Department Head of Instructional Technology & Learning Sciences in 2008, serving for 7 years. Her research focuses on helping the education sector take advantage of the benefits of cyber-learning and teaching. Over the years, this line of research, funded by the National Science Foundation and the Institute for Museum and Library Services, has involved a dynamic mix of faculty, post-docs, and graduate students from Utah State University, as well as colleagues from around the world. When not working, you might find her on skis, in a kayak, on a bike, or on a cliff, exploring the natural beauty around Logan. Segment 1: Learning Sciences and Analytics [00:00-19:10] In this first segment, Mimi discusses the field of learning sciences, learning analytics in higher education, and big vs. traditional data sets. Segment 2: Analyzing Big Data [19:10-35:06] In segment two, Mimi shares statistical approaches for analyzing big data sets and her research on LMS data. To share feedback about this podcast episode, ask questions that could be featured in a future episode, or to share research-related resources, post a comment below or contact the “Research in Action” podcast: Twitter: @RIA_podcast or #RIA_podcast Email: [email protected] Voicemail: 541-737-1111 If you listen to the podcast via iTunes, please consider leaving us a review. The views expressed by guests on the Research in Action podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Oregon State University Ecampus or Oregon State University.