Skip to main content

Collecting Hopes and Dreams

 “It’s important to remember that behind every data point is a daughter, a mother, a sister – a person with hopes and dreams.” — Melinda French Gates

Image and wordcloud from ncec.catholic.edu.au

I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to visit a number of schools over the past few weeks, and see first-hand how teachers are making countless decisions every day to personalize learning. It strikes me that one of the positives to come from our years of lockdowns is a deeper understanding that context matters, and a willingness to find out more about the unique context that our students bring with them to our classrooms each day. 


One aspect of context that I am interested in learning more about is “hopes and dreams”: What do our students wish for their future and how does that impact their learning in the present? How might your grade 10 geography lesson plans change if you knew what career your students were aspiring to? How would you group students in PHE class if you knew each student’s character strengths profile? Would knowing what values are important to your students influence disciplinary conversations?


I’ve been evaluating a number of different measures, including the Clifton Youth Strengths Explorer, the VIA Institute Character Strengths assessment, and The Talent Enthusiasts Hope Survey. I hope to find some commonalities and put together a tool for using this valuable data to inform teaching and learning. If you have another assessment you recommend, or if you have any suggestions for how you would like to access, visualize, and use this data, let me know in the comments.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Nurturing Holistic Growth: The Role of Data Analytics in International Schools with a Focus on Social-Emotional Wellbeing

In the dynamic realm of education, international schools are increasingly leveraging data analytics not only to optimize academic outcomes but also to enhance the social-emotional wellbeing of their students. The integration of data analytics into educational frameworks enables institutions to glean insights that extend beyond traditional academic performance, fostering a holistic approach to student development. One of the pivotal aspects of data analytics in international schools is its application in the analysis of social-emotional wellbeing data. By examining factors such as student engagement, behavioral patterns, and emotional states, schools can gain a deeper understanding of the non-academic aspects of student life. This information is instrumental in tailoring support mechanisms to address the unique socio-emotional needs of each student, ultimately contributing to a more nurturing and inclusive learning environment. Data analytics proves particularly beneficial in identifyin...
Post a Comment
Read more

Growing Data Champions

In my work with schools, I’m always on the look out for a school’s data champions: the early adopters of a culture where data is valued and is used to improve schools and student outcomes. Data champions help colleagues understand how to find, interpret, and use data effectively. They are also translators, able to turn complex findings into clear and actionable insights.  Image by  Mohamed Hassan  form  PxHere  - CC0 Public Domain We often go looking for data champions in the IT office, or failing that, in the math department, but the truth is that data champions are hiding in plain sight everywhere; anyone who believes in using data to inform choices, and who can convince others of the value of data, has the potential to become a champion.  So how do we find and grow these “sleeping champions”? Jim Collins share strategies for building “enduring greatness by cultivating a talent pipeline”. In a data context, this could include: Modeling data-driven d...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to Survey your students?

Conducting online surveys for school students presents a unique set of challenges and considerations compared to surveys targeted at adults or other populations. To ensure that the survey process is effective, ethical, and respectful of the students' needs and privacy, it's important to follow best practices specifically tailored to this demographic: 1. Obtain Informed Consent:    Prior to conducting any survey with school students, it's essential to obtain informed consent. Seek permission from both the students and their parents or guardians, explaining the purpose of the survey, how the data will be used, and any potential risks or benefits. 2. Age-Appropriate Language:    Use age-appropriate language and phrasing in your survey questions. Ensure that the questions are clear, concise, and easy to understand for the specific age group you are targeting. 3. Ensure Anonymity and Confidentiality:    Emphasize the anonymity and confidentiality ...
Post a Comment
Read more