Digital media and data: using and designing technologies to support learning in practice

ABSTRACT

The use of data to improve learning, instruction and student achievement has been a popular educational intervention in countries across the globe. Yet, with all the available data generated by standardized tests or through the course of instruction, systematic use of data as a lever for school change still remains elusive. This article is an introduction to a special issue that explores the possibilities of digital media and technology to support data-informed teaching and learning. This paper introduces this topic by highlighting the need for investigating more closely how data are used to support learning in practice and briefly highlights some of the prevailing issues and opportunities related to the potential productive uses of data.

KEYWORDS:

• Data-informed instruction
• learning technology

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Peter Samuelson Wardrip is a Learning Scientist at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. His research focuses on informal/formal learning collaborations, professional learning for educators, data-informed instruction and making as a learning process. Peter also holds visiting appointments at the University of Pittsburgh Center for Learning in Out of School Environments and the Learning Media and Design Center at Carnegie Mellon University. Peter earned his PhD in Learning Sciences and Policy from University of Pittsburgh.

Benjamin Shapiro is an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado. Ben leads the Laboratory for Playful Computation, where he investigates how to create learning environments that empower all youth to learn, express themselves, and improve their communities through playful, collaborative use of programmable technologies. Ben earned his PhD in Learning Sciences from Northwestern University.