Vincent Cho

Organizational considerations in establishing the Data-Informed District

In the United States, effective data use is proving to be a vexing problem. In response, scholars have recently begun viewing this as a systemic problem, believing there are actions a school district may take to make data use more efficient and tenable throughout the organization. In this article, we add to the knowledge of how school organizations can more effectively use data for educational improvement. Through the lens of the Data-Informed District, we leverage the research on organizational improvement and data use to discuss 3 specific organizational areas in which these districts may improve: establishing common understandings, professional learning for using data, and computer data systems.

Administrators’ professional learning via Twitter: The dissonance between beliefs and actions

Purpose – Although there has been increasing optimism about the potential for social media platforms such as Twitter to support educators’ professional learning, it is yet unclear whether such promises hold true. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to explore school administrators’ use of Twitter for professional learning. Design/methodology/approach – This qualitative case study draws data collected from 17 school administrators from throughout the USA and Canada. In addition to individual, semi-structured interviews, administrators’ tweets were collected for two weeks. This resulted in 1,460 tweets. Analyses were aimed at perceptions about Twitter, the knowledge shared, and its impact on practice. Findings – Findings presented a paradox: although administrators were enthusiastic about the social and professional benefits associated with Twitter, they did not share or apply much knowledge commonly associated with administrator work. Topically, administrators’ tweets tended to focus on technology, r...

A Look into the Workings of Data Use in a Mid-Sized District

Abstract The effective use of student data has gained increasing attention in the past 10 years. Although district leaders would like to support data use and improvement, exactly how to go about such work systemically is often unclear. Accordingly, the aim of this chapter is to illuminate the inner workings of data use throughout a mid-sized school district. In doing so, we highlight issues in how data were used and supported, and provide discussion about how districts such as this one may improve data use throughout the district.

Managing digital identity on Twitter The case of school administrators

What does it mean to be and to act like a school leader online? Although many school leaders might be comfortable navigating issues of identity in face-to-face environments, online environments may present new and unprecedented challenges. These challenges may range from concerns about privacy and surveillance to questions about how best to leverage social media for professional or school aims. Accordingly, the present study draws upon interview and tweet data to explore administrators’ performance of identity on Twitter. Findings describe how administrators enacted two distinct identities: one relating to instructional leadership and the other relating to school public relations. Administrators were reticent about revealing other, more personal identities. This was seen as a way to maintain and gain followers. Implications for identity research, online professional learning, and public school relations are discussed.

Longitudinal Effects of Teacher Use of a Computer Data System on Student Achievement

Does data use make a difference in student achievement? Despite the field’s optimism on this matter, relatively few studies have attempted to quantify the effects of data use. These studies have often used the presence of a data use intervention (e.g., a data system or data coaching) as a proxy for use, as opposed to tracking teachers’ direct interactions with data, via data system click logs, for example. Accordingly, the present study sought to address this methodological gap by exploring the 2-year effects of data use through a multilevel cross-classified model of teachers’ system interactions and student achievement. A significant relationship was found between system use and elementary reading, but no significant relationships were found for elementary math, junior high math, or junior high reading. The implications of this study on how to conceptualize and measure use, as well as how to support practitioners, are discussed.

Organizational problem solving around digital distraction

Purpose – As digital devices (e.g. laptops, tablets) have become increasingly ubiquitous, so too has students’ potential for digital distraction. It is yet unknown how teachers and schools might effectively handle such challenges. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to explore educators’ encounters with digital distraction among students, including their work toward addressing the problem. Design/methodology/approach – This mixed-methods case study drew upon interview and survey data. Data were analyzed to describe educators’ encounters with and problem solving around digital distraction. This included the use of social network analysis. Specifically, a core-periphery model helped illuminate patterns in collaborative problem solving. Findings – Students’ distractions included online entertainment and sending messages. This added to an overall atmosphere of distractedness in classrooms. Rather than collaborate around digital distraction, teachers tended to handle these issues on their own. If teacher...

Data System Implementation: A Leader Navigates People Problems around Technology and Data Use.

Computer data systems have become a lynchpin to supporting school data use. However, successfully implementing such systems is no easy task. In this case, readers explore the ways in which “technology problems” and “people problems” can be intertwined. The case follows Dr. Molly Winters as she encounters social and organizational challenges relating to district vision, tensions around data use, and tensions involving technology implementation. Her exploration of these issues spans both the school and district levels. Her goal is to analyze and provide recommendations regarding how to support data system use and school improvement throughout her district.

How and why teachers engage students with data

ABSTRACT Just as accountability policies have led to increased levels of teacher data use, teachers have begun to increase the extent to which students track and analyse data about their own learning. Although some might argue that such “student-involved data use” (SIDU) might empower or motivate students to take charge of their own learning (e.g. planning or goal setting), others might see it as unduly pressuring youngsters. Because research about this practise is nascent, it is unknown how or why teachers might engage in this practise. Leveraging a sense-making lens, we employed qualitative methods to explore these issues with teachers in 11 elementary school classrooms in Texas. Findings describe teachers’ strategies for engaging students with data, as well as their beliefs that SIDU was beneficial to student reflection, learning, motivation and teachers’ instructional practises. We conclude by positing considerations for future research and leadership.