Data literacy: What do educators learn and struggle with during a data use intervention?. (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kippers, Wilma B.; Poortman, Cindy L.; Schildkamp, Kim; Visscher, Adrie J.
• Is Part Of: Studies in educational evaluation. Volume 56(2018)
• Page Start: 21
• Page End: 31
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: Data literacy -- Professional development -- Mixed-methods; Curriculum evaluation -- Periodicals; Educational tests and measurements -- Periodicals; Programmes d'études -- Evaluation -- Périodiques; Tests et mesures en éducation -- Périodiques; 375.006
• DOI: 10.1016/j.stueduc.2017.11.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0191-491X

Abstract

Highlights: Presents a framework linking data literacy components with a data use intervention. Educators' data literacy increased significantly during the intervention. Educators learned, for example, to use Excel to analyze data, and to refute myths. Educators scored highest on taking instructional action in the post-test. Educators still struggled most with setting a concrete and measurable purpose. Abstract: Data literacy is a prerequisite for making data-based decisions. This paper focuses on the extent to which educators develop components of data literacy during a 1-year data use intervention, as well as what they learn and struggle with concerning these data literacy components. In the data use intervention, teams of teachers, school leaders and a data expert use data to solve an educational problem at their school. We employed a mixed- methods approach, combining data from a pre- and post-test data literacy test ( N = 27), interviews ( N = 12), evaluations of meetings ( N = 33), and logbooks. Findings show that educators' data literacy increased significantly. Participants and the data coach indicated that educators had learned, for example, to analyze data with Excel, and to refute misconceptions. Still, there is room for further improvement. For example, educators struggled with formulating a data use purpose that is plausible, sufficiently concrete and measurable.