4B. Activity
Data-Driven Decision Making
When making decisions based on data, it is imperative that an open culture be fostered and encouraged, and each individual teacher can help achieve this goal. How that goal is achieved at each school, in each department or grade level is wholly contextual. What is attempted here is to provide methods by which individual teachers can have conversations with community members, parents and students about data, and also research around various schools and districts who have given a concerted efforts to data-driven decision making and their results.
In the video below, you'll see that Dr. Anthony Muhammad found four political groups in each school that he studied; he provides the description for one of these groups - the "believers". As you reflect on the video, think about the "political groups" that exist in your school and how that influences the understanding of assessments by teachers and administrators.
In the video below, you'll see that Dr. Anthony Muhammad found four political groups in each school that he studied; he provides the description for one of these groups - the "believers". As you reflect on the video, think about the "political groups" that exist in your school and how that influences the understanding of assessments by teachers and administrators.
Conversations About DataData cannot be discussed without addressing cultural and ethical implications. Some families believe that anything less than perfection is inadequate and other families believe that it is a success to simply pass (a course, a test, etc.). It is only with that awareness and sensitivity that teachers can have open, honest conversations about data and student achievement.
Some avenues that may already be discussing data on your campus include the following:
Consider finding out what groups are most actively discussing the use of data and if they have any pre-designed informational materials that they could share with you regarding talking to parents and community members about data. When students are young, discussing data may come in the form of teaching ratios and percentages. As students get older, more sophisticated conversations can occur. For instance, consider having your students create an assessment of any type and ask them to analyze the data. |
Sample Schools & ResearchChoose one of the following websites or articles to read and spend approximately 30 minutes becoming familiar with, or delving deeply into some of the research around data-driven decision making.
Marzano Research Library Search for a School in Your Town on All Things PLC "Inspirational PLC Stories" on All Things PLC Adlai E. Stevenson High School (Illinois) All Things PLC Report on Stevenson High School (Illinois) |
Authentic Assessment Tools
In this sub-section, we're going to briefly look at five methods of assessments: Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Project-Based Learning (PBL) and Rubrics; Class Badges; and Standards-Based Grading and Learning.
These methods are innovative data assessment methods that various schools across the nation are using and developing. While some schools may use these methods en masse. others may be just learning about them; nevertheless, they are holistic approaches to looking at data as we place greater emphasis on helping all students reach their highest potential.
These methods are innovative data assessment methods that various schools across the nation are using and developing. While some schools may use these methods en masse. others may be just learning about them; nevertheless, they are holistic approaches to looking at data as we place greater emphasis on helping all students reach their highest potential.
Universal Design for LearningThe National Center on Universal Design for Learning provides a framework for states, district, schools and teachers nation-wide to support student learning.
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Project-Based LearningProject-Based Learning, or PBL, can be embedded into a UDL model, or used alone by any teacher to improve instruction and help prepare students for both real-life problems and the Common Core State Standards and Assessments. The Buck Institute for Education is one valuable resource when researching PBL. Edutopia also hosts many resources for teachers interested in integrating PBL in their classes.
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RubricsBoth UDL and PBL encourage using rubrics to evaluate student performance; however, one of the great challenges of a teacher is how to create valid, rigorous rubrics. Here are a few sites that can support your efforts:
For more rubric-building resources, see the Resources section of this Module. |
Class BadgesClass Badges is one method to provide feedback for student accomplishments.
Class Badges is one very small element of the larger movement toward gamification in education. In fact, according to the 2012 Horizon Report, Gamification is a movement in education that we should expect to gain more regular use the next two-three years.
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Standards-Based Grading & LearningStandards-based grading and learning is by no means a new concept, particularly in grades K-6. However, it is taking hold in upper grades as well, as Common Core Standards, a focus on cross-curricular literacy, UDL, PBL and gamification are gaining traction. In this article by the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), they give seven compelling reasons for standards-based grading.
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Data Visualizations & Infographics
Data Visualizations are powerful tools that allow any set of data to be displayed graphically. Traditionally, we have known these to take the form of bar graphs, pie charts, timelines and more. With the onset of Common Core State Standards, which include standards such as visualizing "the results of varying assumptions" and exploring "consequences and compare predictions with data", data visualizations are vital.
Infographics include data visualization(s) and can sometimes make up the entirety of the infographic, but the terms are not interchangeable.
Infographics include data visualization(s) and can sometimes make up the entirety of the infographic, but the terms are not interchangeable.
Infographics and Consumption of DataHere are some great websites to find infographics that already exist:
All Infographics Infographics Archive Nerdgraph VisualLoop Infographics for Education Pinterest Board (Brumbaugh & Calhoon) Periodic Table of Visualizations |
Creating Infographics and Owning Your DataIn creating your own infographics (or asking your students to create infographics), it's important that you test a couple creation websites out, as well to see which one(s) you find most useful for your function.
Piktochart Visually |
Activity
Create a data visualization on any topic of interest to you (ideally, this would be education-related, but it can be anything).
Use one of the following tools to create a data visualization using either a data set that already exists on the site (if one already exists), or import your own data set to create your data visualization.
Canva
Easel.ly
Gapminder
Google's Public Data Explorer
Infogr.am
MapaList
Piktochart
Target Map
Visme
WorldMap
Use one of the following tools to create a data visualization using either a data set that already exists on the site (if one already exists), or import your own data set to create your data visualization.
Canva
Easel.ly
Gapminder
Google's Public Data Explorer
Infogr.am
MapaList
Piktochart
Target Map
Visme
WorldMap