Horizon's Report - Data Driven Learning and Assessment

Data Driven Learning and Assessment
Over the past three weeks, we have looked into the Horizon's Report.  The report outlines different educational technology trends that are set to make an impact in the coming years.  The first two weeks we outlined the two fast trends of online learning and learning spaces.  Last week we focused on a mid-range trend of Open Educational Resources (OER).  This week is a mid-range trend of using learning analytics to drive instruction.

In the past couple years learning analytics has grown by leaps and bounds.  What is meant by learning analytics is any data that is produced after a learning activity.  For instance, a student could finish a lesson in Khan Academy and complete an assessment.  After completing the assessment,  the teacher can get data that includes what the student knows and does not know about the process, standard, strand, etc...  The data produced from some of the assessments today is incredible.  It has gotten so advanced that after the assessment, a program can move the students along on a learning path.  If a student needs to redo certain parts of the process, it knows to do that.  If the student can move on to the next process, the program knows where to go.

I think we'll see more and more programs similar to Khan Academy using learning analytics to drive instruction.  Whether it be a self-paced course, or teacher-led, the learning analytics are a valuable piece of data.

Fall Conference Opportunities

Jim Knight- High Impact Instruction

Date: September 26, 2013
Topic: High Impact Instruction

Learning Forward Minnesota's Fall Forum will be with Jim Knight on September 26, 2013 at the TIES building in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. You can register by going to the Learning Forward Minnesota Website.

Jim Knight is a research associate at the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning and the president of the Instructional Coaching Group. He has spent more than a decade studying instructional coaching and has written several books on the topic including Instructional Coaching: A Partnership Approach to Improving Instruction published by Corwin Press & NSDC (2007). Knight co-authored Coaching Classroom Management. He also edited Coaching: Approaches and Perspectives and his newest book, Unmistakable Impact: A Partnership Approach to Dramatically Improving Instruction is due for release in mid-November.

Minnesota ASCD Teacher Leader Institute

Date: October 2-4, 2013Location: Maddens Resort, Brainerd, MN
Topic: Motivating Reluctant and Resistant Learners

Information Link

Robyn Jackson will be the keynote presenter for these three great days of learning.

In this HIGHLY INTERACTIVE workshop, teacher leaders will learn how to:

• Motivate reluctant and resistant learners.
• Create a classroom environment worth investing in.
• Motivate 21st century learners.
• Identify what students’ currencies are and how to leverage those currencies in the classroom.
• Navigate the divide between your agenda and your students’ agenda and find a way to meet both in the classroom.
• Analyze your own practice and think through site-specific applications you can take back to your school.
• Develop an overall plan for motivating reluctant and resistant learners in your entire school.