The document discusses learning analytics, which involves measuring, collecting, analyzing, and reporting data about learners and learning environments to understand and optimize the learning process. Learning analytics can be used to monitor learner activity and progress, predict outcomes, and enable interventions. For the University of Edinburgh, learning analytics could increase student satisfaction and overall survey ratings. However, opportunities are balanced with barriers like determining what data is most useful, defining student success, ensuring ethical practices and data literacy, and understanding impacts on students. Usage of the university's virtual learning environments has increased but opportunities also exist in analyzing library, computing, and wireless network usage data.