As part of the EU-funded VITAL project on learning analytics and online language learning you are all invited to a free webinar with Dr Bart Rienties from the UK Open University today (10 June) at 11am UK time. Further information here on the VITAL project website: http://www.project-vital.eu/en/2016/03/10/upcoming-webinars/ <https://mail.uclan.ac.uk/owa/redir.aspx?C=PVlnXdrr3Eqs_5jbhA97HXUJx7VtldMIU 3kcjUKu3j6sFzMMLNrZaIaX4Aldzel22vC7QFUWF9Q.&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.project-vit al.eu%2fen%2f2016%2f03%2f10%2fupcoming-webinars%2f> Dr Bart Rienties, Reader in Learning Analytics: http://www.open.ac.uk/people/bcr58 <https://mail.uclan.ac.uk/owa/redir.aspx?C=PVlnXdrr3Eqs_5jbhA97HXUJx7VtldMIU 3kcjUKu3j6sFzMMLNrZaIaX4Aldzel22vC7QFUWF9Q.&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.open.ac.uk% 2fpeople%2fbcr58> To access the Adobe Connect webinar room: https://connect.uclan.ac.uk/r8nkvlsjdp5/ <https://mail.uclan.ac.uk/owa/redir.aspx?C=PVlnXdrr3Eqs_5jbhA97HXUJx7VtldMIU 3kcjUKu3j6sFzMMLNrZaIaX4Aldzel22vC7QFUWF9Q.&URL=https%3a%2f%2fconnect.uclan. ac.uk%2fr8nkvlsjdp5%2f> Abstract The impact of learning design on student behaviour, satisfaction and performance: a cross-institutional comparison across 151 modules²Pedagogically informed designs of learning are increasingly of interest to researchers in blended and online learning, as learning design is shown to have an impact on student behaviour and outcomes. Although learning design is widely studied, often these studies are individual courses or programmes and few empirical studies have connected learning designs of a substantial number of courses with learning behaviour. In this study we linked 151 modules and 111.256 students with students¹ behaviour (<400 million minutes of online behaviour), satisfaction and performance at the Open University UK using multiple regression models. Our findings strongly indicate the importance of learning design in predicting and understanding Virtual Learning Environment behaviour and performance of students in blended and online environments. In line with proponents of social learning theories, our primary predictor for academic retention was the time learners spent on communication activities, controlling for various institutional and disciplinary factors. Where possible, appropriate and well designed communication tasks that align with the learning objectives of the course may be a way forward to enhance academic retention.