How have you personally experienced the use of data to inform your teaching practices and student learning? Can you think of specific examples of how data, such as assessments, observations, or projects, have influences on instructional decisions?
What is Data Culture?
Data-driven instruction is a powerful tool for improving teaching and learning. By collecting and analysing data, teachers can gain valuable insights into student progress, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions about their instruction.
Data is at the heart of everything we do isn’t it? With a clear understanding of the tools, insights required and goals to be achieved through data driven decision making every teacher will have a powerful lens to look at academic growth. Every evidence-based decision brings us closer to classrooms backed by a school ecosystem that allows for the student-parent-teacher collaboration to massively impact student learning and teacher leadership.
Data drives EVERYTHING – many in the school community tend to avoid but it actually shows us what’s happening. Here are some questions to help us push the boundaries of what data driven decision making should look like:
- What are the global standards of data driven instruction?
- Where does India stand currently, are we working towards a common standard?
- How do we know exactly what is meaningful and quality learning? What are the markers of excellence?
- How accurate are we with our impact metrics if we do not subscribe to data analysis?
- Do our teachers know how to make informed decisions backed by data and what type of data makes these decisions easier?
So, What Is Data Driven Instruction (DDI) in Schools?
Data-driven instruction (DDI) refers to the practice of using objective, systematic information to guide teaching, curriculum design, and school improvement. It moves educational decisions away from intuition or anecdote toward evidence-based practices, aiming to improve student learning and outcomes
Professional Development to Build Your Skills
If you are ready to take your skills further, consider enrolling in the ReThink Education Certification Program. This online course is designed for K12 educators who want to deepen their expertise in:
- Data-driven instructions
- Student engagement strategies
- Evidence-based teaching practices
The next cohort is open now, with an early bird discount of 20%!
How Do Teachers Use Data to Drive and Improve Instruction?
Data gives feedback to know where a student is in their learning process. To use data to drive instruction, teachers must do two things. First, they must understand the requirements of their grade level or subject’s standards. This will allow them to clearly articulate what knowledge or skills their instruction will equip students to master. Second, they must decide on what data they will collect during their teaching unit. It must be data that can be easily, regularly, and consistently tracked throughout the unit.
Many teachers make the mistake of trying to collect too much data then don’t know what to do with it or how to analyse it. Teachers must choose quality data over quantity of data. Once teachers start to collect the data, they should analyse it to target what is happening in their classroom:
- Where are students doing well?
- Where are they falling behind?
- What areas are critical to address?
These categories may apply to an entire classroom or to only one or two students. As they start to analyse the data, teachers need to collaborate with their Professional Learning Communities. They can share data points, ideas for intervention, and initial progress. This collaboration allows for the most effective instructional strategies to be implemented to target critical issues. Together, they can directly support student growth. This is how data-driven instruction can boost student performance.
This begs the question: What role do teachers play in using data to inform their practice? What challenges might schools or districts face in implementing a data culture?
Understanding Global Best Practices of Data-Driven Decision Making for Schools
Collecting data is only one part of data-driven instruction, but how can we make that process more streamlined and easier? Watch this video to dive into making informed lesson plans, data sheets, sticky notes systems that help teachers on-the-go!
In this second video below around data culture and data driven instruction you’ll explore:
- How we use data in our everyday lives
- Essential elements of a strong data culture
- How to utilize data for a user-centred approach in schools
- Practical ways to start using data to create change for the better in your workplace
