Personalized learning connects students with their studies and ensures they reach success. Creating this holistic experience can keep students interested in their education, effectively increasing student retention and helping your institution achieve its goals and initiatives.
When you use student data, you receive direct feedback about what your instructors can change in the classroom. As students complete assignments, surveys, and self-assessments, you can gather information detailing how you can improve their experience. You should collect student data frequently and monitor changes in performance and behavior as your institution works to meet each student’s needs.
Student data helps increase achievement and awareness, enabling you to identify at-risk students early on. The more information you gather, the more data you will have to work with. You can track trends, evaluate progress, and identify pain points. Instructors can use student data to shape teaching practices, and administrators can make tenure decisions, determine promotions, and reshape curricula to fit student needs.
Student data also keeps families and the community up to date about how your institution is serving your students. High school juniors and seniors can use this information to determine whether your school will be the best fit for them or if they need to explore other options. Community members can compare your performance against other institutions and suggest ideas to improve your institution.
Student data is an umbrella term that encompasses many types of information, from grades to absences to course evaluations. Instructors can record this information in binders or file cabinets, written notes, or use integrative software to track it for future reflection. Administrators and educators can collect data in the following ways.
When instructors use student data to drive instructions, working collaboratively with all institution members is essential to find the best solutions. When your administrators and instructors join forces, your students benefit. Using student data, you can create holistic academic experiences for each student that match their needs and align with their interests.
One of the first steps your institution should take is to find integrative software that makes this transition easy and manageable. Tools like Watermark Student Success & Engagement turn existing data into actionable insights. You can gather student data, review it via customizable reports, and share this information seamlessly with your team. You will receive alerts when a student falls off track, enabling you to connect quickly with them and provide the resources they need to succeed. This software is readily accessible, simple to use, and provides consistent data to give your institution a competitive advantage when supporting your students.
Professional development workshops and other training opportunities can show instructors how to collect and use data effectively. These workshops provide educators with the tools they need to analyze data and implement changes in the classroom. Hosting consistent check-ins can keep your faculty and staff on track and foster a data-driven culture. This practice can also create accountability and collaboration opportunities that highlight new perspectives and ideas, leading your team to find the best possible solution.
When you begin tracking student data, note when data sets would be the most useful and what you hope to find. Each survey, test, project, and self-assessment should have a clear purpose to eliminate confusion or cognitive bias. Once you’ve obtained your data, you should analyze the gaps you notice. Those are where you’ll find opportunities for change. For example, you may find students perform better on tests earlier in the week or realize first-year students are not reaching institutional standards in their core classes.
After identifying gaps, instructors should reshape their lesson plans and curriculum accordingly. Educators should reduce skill deficiencies and develop more effective teaching practices. As instructors make adjustments in the classroom, you must continue tracking progress to determine whether these changes are meeting student needs. Students who need additional assistance should receive more resources to keep them on track. Meetings, collaboration, and one-on-one conversations can personalize their educational path and ensure each student meets their goals.
Many higher education institutions are switching to personalized coursework because this approach is much more engaging for students. When you enable students to personalize their academic path, you give them an active hand in shaping their education, creating a holistic experience that increases student involvement and retention.
Consider these advantages of personalized coursework.
At Watermark, we know data drives change, and insights inspire progress. For the last 20 years, we’ve been helping higher ed institutions use data to make meaningful changes for their students. Our solutions have helped institutions increase retention within the first year of use, and you can join their ranks.
Watermark Student Success & Engagement makes it easy to collect student data. With simplified attendance tracking, guided student pathways, and alerts when students fall off track, you can easily monitor student progress and create personalized learning experiences. Request a demo today and see what we can do for your institution.
