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HarvardX: GSE3x Introduction to Data Wise: A Collaborative Process to Improve Learning & Teaching

Syllabus 

The 8 Steps of Data Wise, presented in a curved arrow where step 8 points back at step 3. The Prepare section contains steps 1-3. The Inquire section contains steps 4-5. The Act section contains steps 6-8. Step 1 is Organize for Collaborative Work. Step 2 is Build Assessment Literacy. Step 3 is Create Data Overview. Step 4 is Dig into Student Data. Step 5 is Examine Instruction. Step 6 is Develop Action Plan. Step 7 is Plan to Assess Progress. Step 8 is Act and Assess.About GSE3x: Introduction to Data Wise

Educators have an ever-increasing stream of data at their fingertips, but knowing how to use this data to improve learning and teaching — how to make it less overwhelming, more useful, and part of an effective collaborative process — can be challenging.

Based on the book Data Wise: A Step-by-Step Guide to Using Assessment Results to Improve Teaching and Learning, this course describes a clear, 8-step process for using a wide range of data sources to improve instruction. You will see what this disciplined way of working with colleagues can look and feel like in a school setting. You will also have the opportunity to share insights and experiences about school improvement with educators from around the world.

In this course, you will:

    • Understand what the Data Wise Improvement Process is and how it can help you improve teaching and learning
    • Build skills in looking at a wide range of data sources, including test scores, student work, and teaching practice
    • Identify next steps in supporting a culture of collaborative data inquiry in your setting
    • As a bonus, this course provides a complete video case study introducing the Universal Data Wise Improvement Process and showing how it can be used at a system level.

About Kathryn Parker Boudett

Kathryn Parker Boudett is lecturer on education and the director of the Data Wise Project at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Her passion lies in supporting educators in working together effectively to improve learning and teaching. She oversees a portfolio of on-campus and online programs that teach educators how to integrate the Data Wise Improvement Process into their core work. She also leads the Data Wise Coach Certification Program, which is designed to help schools and systems bring wise data practices to scale. Her publications include Meeting Wise: Making the Most of Collaborative Time for Educators (2014), coauthored with Elizabeth City; Data Wise: A Step-By-Step Guide to Using Assessment Results to Improve Teaching and Learning, Revised and Expanded Edition (2013), co-edited with Elizabeth City and Richard Murnane; Data Wise in Action: Stories of Schools Using Data to Improve Teaching and Learning (2007), co-edited with Jennifer Steele; and Key Elements of Observing Practice: A Data Wise DVD and Facilitator’s Guide (2010), co-authored with Elizabeth City and Marcia Russell; all of which are published by Harvard Education Press. Boudett holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and a BA in Economics from Yale University.

How to Earn a Certificate & Succeed in Data Wise

To receive a certificate, you must receive a passing score of 75%. You will be graded on the Stoplight Protocol, Self-Assessment and Check for Understanding questions that appear in each section. Certificates do not indicate your score, only that you have passed. Your certificate will be issued by edX under the name HarvardX. To succeed in Introduction to Data Wise you are expected to:

  • Watch all videos
  • Complete the Spotlight Protocol for all 8 steps
  • Answer all Self-Assessment and Check for Understanding questions
  • Think! Reflect on what you’re learning
  • Share! Participate in discussions. We want to hear your thoughts

Overview of course content

Data Wise is organized into the following sections:

Foundations of Data Wise

Description
In this step you will become acquainted with the course website and the role of teaching fellows and learners in this course. You will meet your fellow learners and get to know about each other’s goals for the course, their backgrounds and leadership contexts.

Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

  • Access instructional and peer support for your learning.
  • Create a plan for managing your time effectively to engage fully in this course.
  • Explain how the Data Wise Improvement Process can be used to organize the core work of schools & systems for improvement of teaching and learning.

Step 1 - Organize for Collaborative Work

Description
In this step, you will be introduced to the foundational skills of collaboration that support the Data Wise Improvement Process.

Learning Objectives
 Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

  • Identify the role that Step 1 plays in the Data Wise Improvement Process.
  • Explain the key tasks involved in Step 1 and why they are important.
  • Self-assess the extent to which Step 1 is currently being done in your setting.
  • Practice the habit of mind of maintaining a relentless focus on evidence by looking at a meeting agenda.

Step 2 - Build Assessment Literacy

Description
In this step, you will be introduced to the concept of assessment literacy, a critical skill in the Data Wise Improvement Process.

Learning Objectives
 Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

  • Identify the role that Step 2 plays in the Data Wise Improvement Process.
  • Explain the key tasks involved in Step 2 and why they are important.
  • Self-assess the extent to which Step 2 is currently being done in your setting.
  • Practice the habit of mind of maintaining a relentless focus on evidence by looking at a score report.

Step 3 - Create Data Overview

Description
 In this step, you will be introduced to the data overview, a strategy for moving from “piles and piles of data” to a focused priority question for your school.

Learning Objectives
 Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

  • Identify the role that Step 3 plays in the Data Wise Improvement Process.
  • Explain the key tasks involved in Step 3 and why they are important.
  • Self-assess the extent to which Step 3 is currently being done in your setting.
  • Practice the habit of mind of maintaining a relentless focus on evidence by examining a data overview.

Step 4 - Dig into Student Data

Description
 In this step, you will learn the importance of looking at many different types of data, from student work to exam results to conversations with students. From this, you will be introduced to the process of identifying a learner-centered problem.

Learning Objectives
 Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

  • Identify the role that Step 4 plays in the Data Wise Improvement Process.
  • Explain the key tasks involved in Step 4 and why they are important.
  • Self-assess the extent to which Step 4 is currently being done in your setting.
  • Practice the habit of mind of maintaining a relentless focus on evidence by examining a student essay.

Step 5 - Examine Instruction

Description
 In this step, you will practice observing teaching and learn the importance of looking at a variety of instructional data sources.

Learning Objectives
 Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

  • Identify the role that Step 5 plays in the Data Wise Improvement Process.
  • Explain the key tasks involved in Step 5 and why they are important.
  • Self-assess the extent to which Step 5 is currently being done in your setting.
  • Practice the habit of mind of maintaining a relentless focus on evidence through watching a classroom video.

Step 6 - Develop Action Plan

Description
 In this step, you will understand the importance of the action plan, how you create it, and how you implement it in your setting.

Learning Objectives
 Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

  • Identify the role that Step 6 plays in the Data Wise Improvement Process.
  • Explain the key tasks involved in Step 6 and why they are important.
  • Self-assess the extent to which Step 6 is currently being done in your setting.
  • Practice the habit of mind of maintaining a relentless focus on evidence by looking at an action plan.

Step 7 - Plan to Assess Progress

Description
 In this step, you will learn the importance of having check-ins of your progress as you go through the Data Wise Improvement Process.

Learning Objectives
 Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

  • Identify the role that Step 7 plays in the Data Wise Improvement Process.
  • Explain the key tasks involved in Step 7 and why they are important.
  • Self-assess the extent to which Step 7 is currently being done in your setting.
  • Practice the habit of mind of maintaining a relentless focus on evidence by looking at a plan to assess progress.

Step 8 - Act and Assess

Description
 In this step, you will be introduced to implementing an action plan, checking in and revising your action plan, and celebrating success.

Learning Objectives
 Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

  • Identify the role that Step 8 plays in the Data Wise Improvement Process.
  • Explain the key tasks involved in Step 8 and why they are important.
  • Self-assess the extent to which Step 8 is currently being done in your setting.
  • Practice the habit of mind of maintaining a relentless focus on evidence by looking at a plan to assess progress by looking at a data overview.

Bonus: Using Data Wise at the System Level

Description
 In this bonus section, you will be introduced to the Universal Data Wise Swoosh, which applies the Data Wise Improvement Process to central office teams.

Learning Objectives
 Upon completion of this bonus module, you will be able to:

  • Explain what adjustments a central office team would need to make in order to engage in the Data Wise Improvement Process.
  • Understand who the learner for different central office teams might be, and how that would influence how to engage in the inquiry process.
  • Appreciate the opportunities and challenges of engaging in the Data Wise process at the system level.
  • Describe one central office team’s journey through the Data Wise Process.

Next Steps

Description
 In this section you will reflect on the course. You also may be interested in learning more and bringing the process to your setting. This module reviews resources available to help you accomplish this transformative goal.

Learning Objectives
 Upon completion of this module, you will be able to pursue opportunities for continuing to learn and apply the Data Wise Improvement Process to your school.

Acknowledgements

Course Development

Kathryn Parker Boudett, Faculty 
Molly Wasser, Lead Course Developer
Max Yurkofsky, Content Developer
Sarah Grafman, HarvardX Manager, Instructional Development
Chris Engles, HarvardX Video Editor
Rachel D’Erminio, Graphics Designer

Stoplight Protocol Development

Bonnie Anderson, HGSE Manager, Instructional Design
Arti Sharma, HGSE Manager, Education Technology
Xavier Antoviaque, Developer
Bill Wisser, HGSE Senior Director, Learning Technologies

Skill Building

Candice Bocala
Sarah Fiarman
Molly Wasser
Max Yurkofsky

Thanks to

Harvard Education Publishing Group

Caroline Chauncey, Editor-in-Chief and Assistant Director
Christina DeYoung, Director of Sales and Marketing

Harvard Graduate School of Education

Keith Collar, Associate Dean for Planning and Outreach
Jack Jennings, Dean for Administration
Jeff Perkins, Director of Marketing
Matt Weber, Director, Digital Communications Strategy

HarvardX

Summer Marion, Project Lead
Annie Valva, Associate Director, Instructional Development
Ana Trandafir, Production Coordinator
Mark Steele, Post-Production Manager
Mary Godfrey, Production Manager
Justin Reich, Research Fellow
Rebecca Petersen, Senior Research Manager
Acacia Landfield, Digital Learning Project Manager
Michael Patrick Rutter, Communications Director
Bradlee Edmondson, Copyright Assistant
Kyle K. Courtney, Copyright Advisor, Office of Scholarly Communications
Sophia Snyder, Senior Manager, Program Operations
Meghan McCormack, Administrative Coordinator
Jillian Odell, Finance and Administration Coordinator
Patti Grip, Senior Financial Partner
Rob Lue Faculty Director
Samantha Earp Executive Director

Hauser Digital Teaching and Learning Studio

Padrick Ritch
Lauren Scully

edX

Remy Mansfield
Becky Pineo

Leasure Elementary School

Deirdra Aikens
Brian Lee
Joyce Duker
Amanda Ramsey
Natasha Reid
Amanda Marusa
And all of the children who welcomed us to their school!

Berkshire Arts and Technology Charter Public School (BART)

April West, Principal

Prince George's County Public Schools 

Kevin Maxwell
Monique Davis
David Rease, Jr.
Trina Hayes
Melissa McGuire
Tasheka Green
Carletta Marrow
Brandi Smith
Micah Pate
Afie Mirshah-Nayar
Michele Goforth-Wilson
Arnice Williams
Ed Ryans
Niki Newman-Brown
Niambi Stewart
Tricia Hairston
Anika Marshall
Cherie Smith
Kathleen Brady