Learning Management Systems´ database exploration by means of Information Visualization-based query tools

Learning management systems (LMSs) store different kinds of e-learning related data, whose analysis is important for monitoring students´ learning processes and for helping detection of potential problems on these processes. Different researches apply information visualization concepts and techniques for graphically and interactively presenting LMS data for analysis. Nonetheless, these researches show data obtained by predefined database queries, which fit only specific analysis situations, in despite of unforeseen situations derived from final user´s knowledge about e-learning domain. Taking into account these situations, this paper presents a solution that enable LMS users to define database attributes they want to analyze, without need to know the internal organization of LMS database. Selected attributes are treated as a universal relation query and, after executed, query results are automatically converted into interactive graphical representations, avoiding user´s concern with selecting the more adequate chart.