Using Data to Enrich Teaching & Learning
By Kyle Graham @KTG_1990 | Seneca CPD Webinar
Data. It’s one of those things that creates a range of emotions in teachers and leaders all across the country. Anger, hate, loathing, and utter bamboozlement in some cases. I was somebody who thought that they would never understand data to a decent level, let alone be able to use it as an effective tool for departmental leadership. The common cry is “but data is a flawed representation of my classroom” or “it doesn’t show the whole picture” or even “data is a load of nonsense”. While I agree with the middle statement, I think that when used correctly, data can be one of the most important and useful sources for improving departments and classroom teaching as long as we ask the right questions.
To emphasise, I don’t think data paints a full picture, nor do I believe that it is used effectively unless taken with background context. Having said that, it does have many uses. To dismiss data outright because it doesn’t look the way we want it to, or because it asks difficult questions of us, would be damaging and naïve. Hopefully, I can give a few ways of using it here.
Kyle is the Director of History across the Co-op Academy Trust and former Head of Humanities at King's Leadership Academy in Warrington. Kyle is passionate about teaching and learning and wrote a contribution to Michael Chiles' recent book, The Sweet Spot. Follow him on Twitter (@KTG_1990)