SMART TEACHING
www.SmartTeaching.org

26. Selecting Classroom Data Tools

©2006 Ron Fitzgerald, D. Ed.

This is a list of the basic charting tools most useful in classroom management.  The tools are:

1.    Column Charts including Histograms

Use these to compare data on different groups or categories.  Examples:

  1. Number of A, B, C, D, F marks on a test (histogram format), or two such charts of marks so you can compare test #2 results with earlier test #1 results.  In the latter case, show average, median, and standard deviation for each chart to make the most valid comparison. 
  2. Percentage passing or proficient from one year to the next on a test like the state high stakes in mathematics.
  3. Average gain in reading level scores from across several years to see if program effectiveness seems to be increasing.
  4. Average achievement levels of competing groups or classes.

Samples of the column and other charts described in this guide can be found in SMART TEACHING:  USING BRAIN RESEARCH AND DATA TO CONTINUOUSLY IMPROVE LEARNING (ASQ, 2006).  Also see Topic #3, Topic #23, and Topic #24 on the web site www.SmartTeaching.org.

2.   Pareto Charts (descending order column charts)

Use Pareto charts to select or highlight priorities by arranging column data in order from highest incidence to lowest incidence.  Examples:

  1. Arrange data from a student course evaluation questionnaire from the item with the highest incidence of negative response to the item with the lowest incidence of negative response so you can decide what to concentrate on first in improving a course.
  2. Arrange data on inappropriate behavior from the highest incident item to the lowest incident item to decide with students what they need to address to achieve the greatest improvement in classroom (or cafeteria or hallway) climate.  NOTE:  Much of the “power” of this approach comes from the student-teacher partnership planning that follows from looking at charted data together.

3.    Run or Line Charts

Use such charts to view changes in data over a period of time.  This is very powerful when working with individual students or groups of students on planning ways to achieve improvement in learning.  Examples:

  1. Compare an individual’s or a class average score on weekly quizzes across a period of time, using the changing data as a guidance tool for focusing on improvement.
  2. Compare rubric scores from week to week and use related item analysis to plan specific improvement or intervention activities.  See Topic #24 on the previously listed web site for a detailed description of this very important process.

4.    Rubrics

Use rubrics to provide clear quality standards and a self-evaluation tool to students on important processes like writing properly constructed paragraphs.  Again, see the Topic #24 comment above.

5.    Scatter Charts

Use these to determine a possible relationship between two factors by charting paired data.  Examples:

  1. Chart the data pair % homework completed and score on a culminating test for each student to see if it appears that doing homework and later test scores seem to be strongly related.  NOTE:  Some surprises can occur here!
  2. Chart the data pairs on reading level score on entering grade 9 and passing data on a grade 10 state test for a sampling of students.  See if you can discover important information for curriculum planning.
  3. Chart the data pairs on time spent in a computer-based reading lab and gain in reading skills to determine the strength of any relationship.

6.    Spreadsheets

Use spreadsheets to find patterns or to spotlight useful details.  Examples:

  1. Sort state test data on item performance from highest percentage wrong to lowest percentage wrong.  Discover what learning strands are giving your students the most trouble.  Then act to strengthen teaching/learning activities on those strands.b.         
  2. Maintain your gradebooks as electronic spreadsheets.  You can then sort data in columns or rows to find patterns or to produce charts like those previously described:

7.    Cause and Effect Diagrams

  1. Use a diagram to define factors in an improvement plan or process for increasing performance on some item in a rubric.
  2. Use a diagram to brainstorm important factors or steps for improving any achievement area such as reading skills.  Implement the plan of factors or causes.  Then evaluate the results and act to change the plan as needed.

8.    Software

Software for recording and charting data is available in the form of commercial gradebook programs.  However, all of the above suggestions are easily pursued with Microsoft Excel and related sub-programs like QI Macros which makes use of Excel easier.  Go to www.qimacros.com for information on the sub-program.  For elementary students, visit www.tomsnyder.com to find simpler programs like Scholastic Keys (grades K-5, works with Excel) and Graph Master (grades 4-8).  Of course, a district or school must provide teachers and students with appropriate awareness and training sessions on any software in order to facilitate the power of using data effectively in the classroom.