Data Collection

The importance of data collection and analysis in education is purposeful in regards to educators and students engaging in their own data-generating activities. Various tools are used in collecting data in the classroom such as surveys, spreadsheets, statistical, and database software; charting, graphing, and visualization  (M.D Roblyer & Joan E. Hughes, 2019).  

Tools used for data collection vary and are not limited to software tools.

Surveys:

Though I am not a teacher as yet, I have had experiences in my undergraduate classes and internships, and my previous graduate classes last semester with data analysis software. For example, During my senior internship with graphic designers in my undergrad program, we interviewed incoming freshmen through focus groups, had them test our accessible degree checklist/planner for various road maps to graduation, and sent them a survey link to SurveyMonkey for feedback. During this internship, I presented to faculty and students our usability test and desired outcomes and directed them on how to access the survey via iPhone or android through hyperlinks.

Statistical:

Last semester, during my Economics and Finance of Higher Education class we used data collection for specific projects to measure the total enrollment of students, tuition costs, income, and more through the NCES website ( National Center of Education Statistics) where you can request and download data.

Database:

For my work as a content analyst, I track my daily project task in Access ( project dashboard) and teacher can use databases such as ProQuest for their classroom and content area. 

Charting:

Spreadsheets can be used in Excel to measure Data Trends over a period of time. This can be beneficial in a classroom in which a student has a project measuring data through specific years and analyzing for differentiation.

In a classroom, the benefits of data and analysis software can be beneficial for students with mathematics such as calculus and modeling and probability.

Many educators use these tools to enhance the educational technology used in the classroom. Google Classroom also collects data from students after they submit their assignments. One article that I found helpful regarding data collection where they believe formative assessment is an important part of effective instruction( Burns, 2015). Formative assessment identifies areas where students are excelling and struggling, teachers can alter their instruction to meet their individual needs. Technology can me formative assessments inclusive into their everyday routine, online tools can also help teachers stay organized when collecting data.

Burns, M. (2015, December 14th). Empowering Teachers With Tech-Friendly Formative Assessment Tools. Retrieved from Edutopia: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/tech-friendly-formative-assessment-tools-monica-burns

M.D Roblyer & Joan E. Hughes. (2019). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching. New York: Pearson Education, Inc.