FUN WITH DATA Three words you never thought you’d say together

Agenda About Data Why Use Data? Uses in School How to Look at Data How to Share Data Open

About Data Two types: Quantitative Qualitative

The Nature of Data Data surrounds us at all times weather forecast news report car dashboard classroom performance and attendance actions and reactions of students

Fears About Data #1. There’s too much of it, and I don’t have time.

Fears About Data #2. “They” will use “my” data to judge me.

Fears About Data #3. “They” will misuse my data.

The Truth About Data Data itself is neutral. When collected properly and analyzed properly, it can reveal information or trends that can be useful to inform decisions. It can be very easy and quick to collect.

Why Collect and Use Data? #1. It helps you improve your own instruction, classroom management, etc. indicate areas of strength and weakness for students and teachers......but only if you are honest with yourself and are open to what the data might say

Why Collect and Use Data? #2. It helps you make better decisions. observations of what’s happening right now predictions about what might happen

Why Collect and Use Data? #3. It helps cover your bum. presenting data to support your claims strengthens your arguments it is more difficult to argue against good data

How to Collect It? You’re already doing it on TeacherLogic Carry a clipboard around to jot frequencies or anecdotes Use the data already being collected in division-wide assessments Others?

Using Data in School #1. Attendance Data present/absent late/left early time out of the classroom as a contributing factor to student performance as an indicator of other student behaviour as a predictor of future performance

Using Data in School #2. Assessment Data performance in an outcome over time performance in a unit over time performance within a single assessment to track performance to indicate achievement to survey for students needing extra support to evaluate the impact of supports to evaluate teaching/assessing methods

Using Data in School #3. Behavioural Data frequency of bad behaviours frequency of pro-social behaviours types of behaviours exhibited to adapt classroom management strategies to inform disciplinary decisions to assess instructional material to inform school-wide processes

Using Data in School #4. Check Lists / Progress Lists how much of the task has been completed how long it’s taken students to progress to instil student accountability in the activity to inform class time allotments to parse student performance in group work activities to assess the assignment

Example

Using Data in School #5. Exit Interviews / Questionnaires at the end of an activity/assignment at the end of a class/year at the end of a student’s time at the school to inform future assessments to revise the previous assessment to adjust classroom and school-wide policies and processes

Example

WARNING! Always ask yourself: “What do I want to know?” Be aware of your own biasses and assumptions Be sure you are collecting data at an appropriate scope Be sure you are collecting a representative sample

Practice In groups of 3-4, examine a situation that would benefit from more data. Decide: 1. What you want to know 2. How you’ll collect the data 3. What you’re assuming 4. What extra data you might want here

How to Share Data OPENLY ASSERTIVELY

Open Discussion

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