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By Cate Tolnai

Recently, I watched a video about

data-driven instruction in my

preparation for this months tech-

nology tool. I was struck by the

idea that because of technology,

we can no longer focus only onthe art and delivery of instruc-

tion. With the addition of data

and assessments that generate

reports in real time, we are ex-

pected to interweave this scien-

tific information with the art of

our instruction. We have access

to assessment data that can tell us

exactly what skills need attention.

Its exciting and intimidating all

at once!

So the question becomes, How

do I use data to inform my next

steps in the classroom? Id like to

say this is the easy part, but seeing

as I spent 10 years grappling with

this problem myself, I don't have

the magic formula that, if fol-

lowed, will result in the ideal

lesson plan.

Instead, I learned to keep my

lesson objective in mind and use

the data to make my life easier

rather than more complicated.

If I focused too much on the

science, I lost the art. So I made

sure to hold on to the following

thoughts, and I encourage you to

do the same.

* Teach. Remember, you are the

leader in your classroomnot the

data. You know your students

and your objectives. Dont doubt

yourself.

* Use the data to group your

students. Once you decide what

you are teaching, lean on the

data to arrange the learning

teams and build specific support

for them.

* Choose one or two reports that

work for you and commit to

learning them. Dont expect to

become a data-expert overnight.

In the end, remember that there

is balance in teaching. Its not an

option to avoid the data and

science anymore. Instead, it is

time to embrace it and see how it

can infuse the excellent learningalready taking place. Be brave!

Blending the Art and Science of Teaching

Tools of the Month

for January:

I couldnt pack all of the

Renaissance Learning train-

ing into one month, so we get

to spend another month

uncovering the support availa-

ble online. In addition to

Renaissance Learning, we will

use Internet4Classrooms to

fill our toolboxes with CCSS

goodness!

L O O M I S U N I O N S C H O O L D I S T R I C T

December 2013

Volume 1, Issue 5

EdTech UpdatesOngoing Instructional Technology Support

Upcoming Technology

Trainings This Month

While being a short instruction-

al month, we all know that

December is best suited for

flexibility and is a natural time

to review content previously

covered. Join me on the follow-

ing dates to uncover some of the

powerful tools within the

Renaissance Learning Suite. I

hope to see you there!

Renaissance Learning Record

Book and Core Progress

Learning Progressions

Dec. 10 (34 pm)

Dec. 12 (3:154:15 pm)

If you cant make thesedates, drop in from 3:00-4:30pm at the DistrictTraining Center onDecember 17. Ill be there!

Which Renaissance

Learning tools are

easiest for you to

start working with?

Student Diagnostic Report:

* Good For: Getting a snapshot

of the students skills in all read-

ing or math standards

* Next step: Start to build your

general intervention groups and

quickly see what type of support

is needed for the students.

Instructional Planning

Student Report:

* Good for: Identifying actual

standards/skills that the studentneeds to work on

* Next step: Use the Core Pro-

gress Learning Progressions for

lesson ideas focused on those

needed skills and offer that sup-

port during RtI.

Manage Groups:

* Good for: Setting up your

groups after analyzing the RenLearn test data

* Next step : View the small

group progress in Record

Book and View Suggested

Skills for that small group.

Notice similar needs within that

group.

Get a Head Start on January Training!

Check outwww.internet4classrooms.comto see a huge collection of sup-

plemental resources organized by grade levels, content areas, and Common

Core strands. Save the dates for hands-on training of this site and more:

January 15 (3-4pm) andJanuary 16 (7-8am and 3:15-4:15pm).

Join our Facebook Family! Check out the great resources!www.facebook.com/groups/LUSDeducators/ www.LUSDeducators.org

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/http://www.internet4classrooms.com/https://www.facebook.com/groups/LUSDEducators/http://www.lusdeducators.org/http://www.lusdeducators.org/https://www.facebook.com/groups/LUSDEducators/http://www.internet4classrooms.com/