Data

Data about learning is important not only for TEACHERS, to inform our planning for differentiated instruction at the point of need BUT it is also important for STUDENTS to know the data about their own learning.

I have found that being aware of the data about their learning not only motivates students, but also supports them to be able to set student directed goals that focus their independent learning.

I have used GOOGLE DOCS SPREADSHEETS before with great success, due to the fact that students can access their own data, in their own time, at their own determined point of need.
This also makes the use of data a shared accountability between the students and their teachers - is is not just the teachers job to know what I need to learn, it is mine too!

Some people feel that students should not know the data of other students. Personally, I feel that the more the know about each other as learners, the more that they can help each other!

Here is a sample of the graphs that you can produce easily (I will demo this in workshops) and students can use in conferencing sessions to help them set their goals.