AI-Powered Dropout Monitor

Analyze live, anonymized Canvas course data to spot patterns, predict dropouts, and get real-time alerts.

  • Connect to Canvas and analyze years of course data on the fly
  • Automatically detect patterns for course issues and dropout prediction
  • Review current courses based on past trends and get real-time alerts
  • Everything runs live and is anonymized. No data storage. Fully FERPA safe
Learn More

Problem: Catching At-Risk Students Too Late

As a faculty member, I often don't realize a student is struggling until it shows up in their grades or they stop showing up. By then it is usually too late to help in a meaningful way. I want to know earlier, before things get off track, so I can step in with support. But I don't have the time or tools to monitor every student that closely in every course. I need something that does that work in the background and tells me when to pay attention. It would help to get alerts when something starts to slip—like a student who hasn't logged in for a week, missed an assignment deadline, scored far below average on a quiz, showed a sudden drop in overall grade, stopped engaging with the course, or seems at risk of not completing. These are the moments I want both the student and I to be made aware of, while there's still time to act.

Faculty Member

University Instructor

Solution: EarlySignal Student Risk Alerts

Know Sooner. Act Faster.

Each morning, EarlySignal quietly scans your active Canvas courses using patterns from past classes. If it spots something unusual, like a student falling behind or skipping key activities, you get a clear alert with context and suggestions.

No need to dig through dashboards or run reports. You see which students need attention and why, while there is still time to help. Whether it is a quick check-in or a bigger adjustment, you can act early and avoid surprises later.

It fits into your day without adding more work.

Real Time Risk Alerts
Plain Language Summaries
Context You Can Use
No Extra Logins or Tools
EarlySignal Dashboard
EarlySignal Risk Alert Dashboard

How It Works

Connect to Canvas

Use the Canvas connector to access all past and current courses instantly—no downloads or storage needed.

No downloads or storage required
Instant access to current and past courses
Secure connection through Canvas
Fast setup with no extra tools needed
Canvas Connection Process Screenshot
Click to enlarge

Analyze Past Courses & Student Behavior

The system reviews hundreds of past courses. It looks at your course activity patterns and returns a plain-language report.

Finds patterns in course and student data
Flags early signs of student struggle
Uses anonymous, privacy-safe analysis
Reports written in plain, clear language
Course Pattern Analysis Screenshot
Click to enlarge

Track Risk in Real Time

The system monitors current courses using past patterns. It flags warning signs & suggests what's worked before, with context to help you respond fast.

Detects risk using past course patterns
Sends alerts and recommends responses
Offers helpful context for every alert
Uses on-device AI for privacy and speed
Real Time Risk Monitoring Screenshot
Click to enlarge

Private, Secure, and FERPA Safe

Nothing is downloaded. All activity happens live with the use of canvas connector. Everything is anonymous and compliant from start to finish.

No data is saved or stored anywhere
All activity stays fully anonymized
Meets strict FERPA privacy standards
Runs live with no security risks
Privacy and Security Features Screenshot
Click to enlarge

Benefits for Everyone

For Faculty and Instructors

  • Spot student struggles early without extra work
  • Make quick, informed decisions using clear alerts
  • Spend less time checking data and more time teaching

For Advisors and Support Staff

  • Get timely signals about students who may need help
  • Reach out before grades or attendance raise red flags
  • Coordinate support with confidence and clarity

For Academic Leaders

  • Improve retention with earlier intervention
  • Track course-wide trends across semesters
  • Support faculty with tools that actually save time

Real Results

60%

faster response to student risk

40%

fewer surprise withdrawals

80%

of flagged students reached before midterm

Frequently Asked Questions

System and Setup

It connects through the official Canvas API using your existing permissions. No need to upload files or manage data manually.

No. Everything runs through a secure connection. There's nothing to install, download, or maintain.

Most users are up and running in under ten minutes. It uses your Canvas login and works with your existing course access.

We're adding advisor dashboards, department-level summaries, and more ways to track intervention outcomes. Feedback from users helps shape each update.

Features and Functionality

It checks daily and updates automatically based on course activity and historical patterns.

You'll get plain-text alerts about students showing early signs of struggle, with context and suggestions for how to respond.

Yes. You can filter alerts and reports by course, instructor, or semester to spot broader trends.

Yes. Each alert comes with a short explanation and ideas based on what has worked in similar cases.

User Access and Roles

Both. Instructors can track their courses, and advisors can get a broader view across students.

Yes. Access is based on your Canvas permissions. You'll only see what you're authorized to view.

Yes. Admins can manage roles and assign access based on departments or user type.

Data and Reporting

Yes. You can see patterns from previous semesters, including which students needed help and when.

No. Alerts are live and not stored. Everything runs in real time without keeping personal data.

Yes. You can export summaries to share with your team or use in department planning.

Privacy and Security

No. All alerts are anonymous. You see activity patterns and risk signals, not personal information.

No. Nothing is saved or sent elsewhere. It works live and clears everything once the session ends.

Yes. It was built with FERPA in mind from the start. No identifiable student data is stored or exposed at any point.

Contact

Dr. Zafer Unal

Dr. Zafer Unal

Project Founder

Professor of Education at the University of South Florida with a doctorate from Florida State University. Passionate about using technology to make learning more engaging and effective, with research focused on developing educational applications and exploring AI use in education.

University of South Florida
College of Education