Student Data Folders
Student data folders are an important component of the continuous improvement classroom. Data folders are a way for students, teachers and parents to keep track of student performance. Students take ownership, accountability and responsibility for their own learning by setting individual goals (see previous blog topic) and then tracking their own performance to determine their progress
(View a Power Point presentation on student data folders)
Student data folders help improve student performance and motivate learners. Ideally, individual student data folders mirror the Classroom Data Center (See previous blog) and serve as a basis for data collection. The benefit of having individual students collect data according to classroom and individual goals is that comparative data becomes available in the classroom. Students are able to compare their individual performance with that of the class.
Students are able to track and collect data in all content areas and behavior. Before implementing student data folders, teachers have found it beneficial to model the concept through the use of the Classroom Data Center. As the classroom monitors and tracks class performance, students see how they could monitor and track their own performance.
It is better to start off with easily measured items such as: spelling tests, math facts, homework completion, attendance and behavior. Once students understand the concept and skill of data collection, they can become more involved in measuring individual progress and multiple goals. Teachers should also demonstrate how to set targets for their goals and how to graph and chart their progress. Additionally, students need to understand how to use the data for continuous improvement. Data folders should provide "in-process measures" that promote data driven decisions about student learning.
How have you used student data folders? What types of data are you having students collect? How do students select goals? Have data folders had an impact in your classroom?
Comments
This is the second year that students have used student data folders. Students keep track of attendance, reading assessments, math assessments, and writing assessements. Teacher report that the folders are great tools for reporting progress to parents and for students to take ownership of goals and learning.
Posted by: Dane Danforth | January 9, 2006 11:36 PM