AI-Powered Early Intervention System

Course Dropout Monitor

Analyze live, anonymized Canvas course data to spot patterns, predict dropouts, and get real-time alerts — before it's too late to help.

  • 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
Real-Time risk detection
100% FERPA compliant
No Storage live & anonymous
Learn More How It Works

Problem: Catching At-Risk Students Too Late

Faculty are often the last to know when a student is struggling — and by then, the window to help has already closed.

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, 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
Too Late to Act

By the time grades reflect a problem, students are often already disengaged or considering dropping — leaving little time for meaningful intervention.

No Visibility

Faculty lack real-time insight into which students are quietly falling behind — missed logins, skipped assignments, and declining engagement go unnoticed.

No Time to Monitor

Instructors managing multiple courses can't manually track every student closely. They need a system that does the monitoring and surfaces only what matters.

Solution: EarlySignal Student Risk Alerts

Know sooner. Act faster. EarlySignal quietly scans your active Canvas courses each morning and surfaces only what needs your attention.

EarlySignal Dashboard
EarlySignal Dashboard

Know Sooner. Act Faster.

Each morning, EarlySignal quietly scans your active Canvas courses using patterns from past classes. If it spots something unusual — 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.

It fits into your day without adding more work.

Whether it's a quick check-in or a bigger adjustment, you can act early and avoid surprises at mid-term or withdrawal deadlines.

Real-Time Alerts
Plain Language
Context & Suggestions
No Extra Logins

How It Works

Four simple steps from Canvas connection to actionable alerts.

Connect to Canvas

Use the Canvas connector to access all past and current courses instantly — no downloads or storage needed. Fast setup using your existing Canvas login.

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

Analyze Past Courses & Student Behavior

The system reviews hundreds of past courses, looks at activity patterns, and returns a plain-language report identifying early signs of student struggle.

Finds patterns in course and student data
Flags early signs of student struggle
Uses anonymous, privacy-safe analysis
Reports written in plain, clear language
Pattern Analysis
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Track Risk in Real Time

The system monitors current courses using past patterns. It flags warning signs and suggests what has 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
Risk Monitoring
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Private, Secure, and FERPA Safe

Nothing is downloaded. All activity happens live via the 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
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Benefits for Everyone

EarlySignal supports the entire academic community — from instructors to institutional leaders.

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

Have questions or want to learn more? Reach out to the project founder directly.

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