On any given day, how many students would you say you are able to "reach" in a lesson? What's the engagement like in your classroom during a lesson? How's the behavior of your students? Would you prefer a greater reach, higher engagement, and less behaviors? If so, I have some insight to share that may interest you.
Based on much research regarding Lev Vygotsky's learning theory, it's well regarded that students learn the most and the best when they are challenged to the perfect degree. This is known as the Zone of Proximal Development. ZPD is what the learner can do with guidance and feel successful in a way that makes them want to keep working. However, on either side of the ZPD is "too easy" and "too difficult". What we typically see when students are given work that is too easy or too challenging is disengagement and behavior spikes, either from boredom or avoidance.
Clearly ZPD is where it's at but some of you may be thinking, "How can I possibly reach all of my students?" so my question is always, "Do you believe you can?" My teaching philosophy since day one has been firmly rooted in the belief that all students want to learn and all students can learn. Reaching an entire classroom of students is something that I have always been highly motivated to achieve because I have always believed it to be possible. Over time, experience taught me that the key to a productive, well-managed classroom is to make learning accessible to all students. Therefore, reaching all students is something that I prioritize and is the driving force behind my instruction. If you also believe that all of your students are capable of growth and you are ready to teach with intention, then DATA DRIVEN INSTRUCTION may be what you are looking for.
What is Data Driven Instruction & Why is it Important?
I know this is not the first time you've heard the phrase "Data Driven Instruction", but I'm going to break it down to the basics anyway because it's seriously good stuff. It's an educational approach in which the teacher collects data through various types of assessments (formative & summative) and then uses that data as a guide for teaching future lessons as well as prompts immediate feedback to students. The idea behind this model of data collection for the purpose of lesson planning and feedback is to- get ready for a full circle moment- reach all kiddos by keeping learning within their ZPD, thus increasing engagement and achievement and cutting unwanted behaviors.
data collection - data analysis - instructional action
In other words, you are finding out what your kids know, looking carefully at your results, and deciding what your next steps will be based on your findings. You are also giving immediate feedback to your students so they know what those next steps are as well. When everyone knows the way forward, it's a win for your planning, a win for your students, a win for your classroom.
The great thing about using data for instructional decisions is that it takes what you most likely are and should be doing already but adds in a layer of purpose. You're already giving your students exit tickets, bell work, checkpoints, cool-downs, benchmarks, PFAs, tests and quizzes, projects, RISE, KEEP, Acadience...and you make general observations on the daily. You're literally collecting ALL of the data, so start putting the pieces together to build something better for you and your students!
Not sure where to start? Locate your data and brainstorm the best ways to use different pieces:
Coming soon: Part 2 | "Data Driven Instruction: How"
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