Exploring Differences in Time Spent Tracking

This study compares “Time Spent” measurements recorded by two Moodle analytics plugins—IntelliBoard and Edwiser Reports Pro—in a graduate-level instructional design course. Data from various activities were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-tests. IntelliBoard recorded a significantly longer total Time Spent than Edwiser Reports Pro. Since Edwiser Reports Pro was installed after the course, it calculated Time Spent using standard Moodle log data. Scatter plots were created to visualize the relationship between the two plugins. The findings suggest that differences in tracking methods and learner behavior can influence Time Spent data. These metrics should be interpreted with caution in educational evaluations. Future research should examine diverse learning contexts and incorporate learner self-assessments to validate Time Spent as an indicator of engagement.