Pedagogy or Data-Sciences?

While listening to scholar interviews this week, I came across some eye-opening opinions.  These scholars focused on the idea that we (educators) should spend more energy on the data-driven decision rather than the theory-based decision.  It is so backwards from what most of us went to school or training for, yet so forward in our current times.  Of course we need to make data-driven decisions!  Why are we so behind on this way of thinking?  Haven't Coca-Cola, Matel, Cover Girl, Suave, etc been making marketing decisions based on consumer data for years?  They all seem to be doing quite well.  Meanwhile, education is in remnants...federally, locally.  Teachers and administrators are marketers and need to act more like it.  We market and sell academics everyday.  The students are the consumers, so are the parents. Some of our consumers go through our entire system never getting the complete product we promised.  We may be inclined to do a better job if we looked at the data.  If we all took a moment to disaggregate some serious data, and then make decisions based on those findings, we just might find ourselves in a better position.  I don't just mean test scores.  I mean with ALL aspects of education - quantitative and qualitative.  Theory is good, and needed as the rope to reign us in from time to time, but data.... Data is the tangible result of the intense study of each educator's current situation.  Data-driven decision-making is the ticket out of the slump.

How can educational leaders use blogs?

Educational leaders can use blogs in several ways.  A very simple and concrete way is to use a blog as a journal.  Sharing one's reflections on leadership, education, etc. could prove to be very comforting and helpful during the journey.  Another way to use blogs could be to solicit leadership ideas from other educational leaders.  Whether it be a personnel issue or implementation of a new program, someone with a similar (or completely different) position and/or experience can share helpful insight and assistance on the subject.  Another way for educational leaders to use a blog is to maintain a strong network within the educational field.  By maintaining a blog, an educational leaders can stay abreast of current academic issues and news while developing relationships with other educational leaders all over the world.

What is action research & how can I use it?

Action research is the process in which school leaders take action for change; therefore,they develop their leadership role while aiming for school improvement. This ability to take action for school improvement or change comes from the collection of data and analysis of results of a certain inquiry. Action research also allows for reflection and evaluation of those results (Dana, 2009).  Unlike typical research, action research or administrative inquiry is intended to motivate change. Action research allows for a very systematic and meta-cognitive approach to investigation which is initiated and followed-through by the leader (Harris, 2010).  Action research goes beyond the linear or discursive approaches to research that simply report on a topic.  The analysis of data observed during action research actually provides a precipice for change (Dana, 2009).

I look forward to using action research in many ways.  While I am still a teacher, I can take it upon myself to conduct action inquiries to improve my teaching abilities, classroom management techniques, and even parent communication methods.  Once in a school leadership role, I plan to continually conduct action research to improve myself as a leader and to help improve my school.  A great leader is always an avid learner, and action research allows for continual learning to take place.

 

Dana, Nancy F. Leading with Passion and Knowledge: The Principal as Action Researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin, 2009.

Harris, S., Edmonson, S., & Combs, J. Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools: 8 Steps from Analysis to Action. Larchmont, NY: Eye on Eye Education, 2010.