My school spends a lot of time talking about data and how we are going to use it. This year we have started using data director and actually putting all that talk into action. This chapter was interesting because it brought up how important it really is for us as educators to be involved in different types of research in order to best educate our students. I have so far been impressed with the things we can do with the data that is given to us but I also think there are many other things we could do that would be helpful in moving our school forward.
I definitely liked the idea of using evaluation research to determine what programs would be most useful in a school. My biggest concern with this is that it would take a lot of time and organized effort. I work in an alternative program where I have four preps and no prep time. I think it would be difficult to keep my classes going and organized as well as conduct the research during the school year. I think the best way to make this work would be to set up some kind of committee where we could share this burden among a group of teachers.
I think something that was helpful in this chapter was the idea of reflective practice. I don’t know that it always has to be formal where you’re sitting down and going through the list of questions because I think I have always reflected on what I was teaching and how it was working, but it would be smart to sit down and formally evaluate the units after they’re finished so I can remember what needs to be changed or improved upon for the next time I teach it. Overall, the ideas presented in the chapter are good ones. I think it is important to make sure we are integrating the different types of research into our classrooms as much as possible.
I couldn't help but feel like I was reading my own thoughts when I read your first paragraph. Our school also analyzes our data.
ReplyDeleteIn my state (SC) we have benchmark testing that takes place three times a year called MAP. It is taken on the computer, which is nice, because the results are instant. When we receive the information from these MAP tests we review and look at the students' strenths and weaknesses, we then use this to drive our lesson planning.
We use FASTT MATH to improve student acheivement on standardized tests in the area of math. We choose this program because other educators research shows that it improved test scores. We have not yet evaluated this program for its effectiveness with our kids, and I think we should actively research it in the near future.
I always hear how little time during the day that teachers have and you definitely reinforced that concern. It's too bad that there isn't more time for teachers to perform action research during the school year. It is during this time that it probably would benefit everyone the most (administration, teachers, students, parents, society).
ReplyDeleteTo have a small group of educators heading up this research is a wonderful idea. Maybe during in-service days the committee's ideas could be shared and discussed.
I do not have a classroom of my own, but hope to one day. I know that my responsibility will be to educate my students the best I know how and performing research on how to do so will be key to my success.
My school just made a massive change as a result of evaluation research. We had a program in our school whereby 8 days out of the year, students would work with an advisor to develop a plan for their activity based on either personal goals or a list of activities that were held at the school during those days. After several attempts over the last 5 years to improve the program as it sounds really nice in theory but was starting to fail in practice, the program was cancelled. This may sound cold, but sometimes it really helps to look to data for direction instead of your heart. (Wow, I really can't believe I just wrote that)
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