Throughout this fast course this summer, I have learned a variety of things about data analysis and its use to focus school improvement. The three most important things I have learned are how to find a variety of types of data from different sources, how to best approach leading a school in a different direction with data, and how to work collaboratively with other teachers on the data team to create norms. All of the assignments were so in-depth and required a great deal of effort; however, I thought the most valuable field experience in this course was the data overview that I completed towards the end of the course. This data overview forced me to incorporate a number of new skills, including finding data, analyzing it, and proposing a new direction for the future.
I plan to continue applying my learnings this school year as I meet with various teachers and the principal to propose a new direction for technology in my school. I do anticipate some challenges as many teachers at my school have been frustrated with the past uses of data. However, I do believe that if teachers can see a real need for using data that they will get on board. All teachers really want is to feel that what they are doing has a purpose. The use of data that I have learned this semester provides this purpose.
I plan to continue applying my learnings this school year as I meet with various teachers and the principal to propose a new direction for technology in my school. I do anticipate some challenges as many teachers at my school have been frustrated with the past uses of data. However, I do believe that if teachers can see a real need for using data that they will get on board. All teachers really want is to feel that what they are doing has a purpose. The use of data that I have learned this semester provides this purpose.