The Data Conversation: Recent Episodes
Matthew Savage
Matthew Savage loves data, and believes passionately in the importance of student agency and healthier student wellbeing, especially in a post-COVID world. And he loves helping schools to join these dots - using student-level data to put #wellbeingfirst. In this genuinely global podcast, Matthew will discuss with Heads, Senior Leaders and Data Leads from across some of the very best international schools worldwide how they have optimised the impact of a triangle of data in their own, award-winning schools, from Early Years through Secondary, both before and since the pandemic began. The best schools know that only by harnessing the full power of student-level data can they truly maximise the learning and wellbeing of every single student, and this podcast will offer countless, practical and proven examples of how to do precisely that, whilst digging deeper into data and assessment in schools - what it is and what it isn’t, how it can work well and how it can work badly, and why we need it now more than ever. If you are an international educator in 2021, this is a treasure trove of wisdom, insight and ideas to help you ensure your children thrive, every single day.
All interview content is shared with the consent of those interviewed, and with a shared intent to keep #makinglearningbetter and #wellbeingfirst for children and young people across the globe.
weneedtotalkaboutdata
Original music by Jon Savage, including quotes from the following sources: Bill Gates (2019). Better data, better schools. Available at: https://youtu.be/ONE0uwy6BSE Linda Darling-Hammond (2015). Testing, testing. Available at: https://youtu.be/2G_vWcS1NTA Reshan Richards (2013). About assessment. Available at: https://youtu.be/O_n97rQzKgQ
Season 2 of The Data Conversation will consist of special, one-off episodes, focusing entirely on a particular school or group of schools, as a case study of best data and assessment practice.
First up, educators from British School Muscat in Oman reflect upon the 10 difficult questions about data and assessment that I explore in my September 2022 article for Teach Middle East Magazine, "The Why of Assessment".
weneedtotalkaboutdata
themonalisaeffect
Season 2 of The Data Conversation will consist of special, one-off episodes, focusing entirely on a particular school or group of schools, as a case study of best data and assessment practice.
First up, staff and students from GEMS Founders School in Dubai explore what assessment means to them, and how they have used a range of data to make life and learning better for every single student.
weneedtotalkaboutdata
themonalisaeffect
In the final episode of Season 1, we consider the use of data to enhance both inclusion and admissions, and we explore whether data should preempt or respond to the challenges students face (or both). Finally we focus on how to “Do the Right Thing” with data, keeping the focus firmly on what matters most, student wellbeing.
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In this episode, school leaders and data leads from China, Vietnam, Oman and Nigeria talk about how to ensure a school's data journey begins with a strong Early Years foundation, and why the smart and compassionate use of student-level data can make everything that is magical about Early Years even better. #weneedtotalkaboutdata See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In this episode, my guests wrestle with the following two questions. 1. How can we accurately measure student attitudes and wellbeing? 2. How can we use that data to make the whole school a safer, happier and better space for every single student? For too long, data in schools has served only to measure academic attainment and progress, but #themonalisaeffect uses data to put #wellbeingfirst. #weneedtotalkaboutdata See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In Episode 2 of #thedataconversation, we explore the fundamental difference between achievement (which is inclusive) and attainment (which is exclusive). We also consider the 'Cognitive Cars' which are at the heart of #themonalisaeffect. Above all, we are seeking ways for every student to achieve and enjoy success, and to celebrate this. Again, I am privileged to be joined by educators from across the globe. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
In the Episode 1 of #thedataconversation, thought leaders and educators from across the world explore the "Why" of student-level data in schools. What function does, or should, it serve? Why is it, or can it be, so important and impactful? Is there such a thing as too much data, or is it simply a question of by/with whom, and how, it is used, and shared? Who should lead on data policy and practice in our schools? For answers to these questions, and many other insights besides, please listen to the first episode of this important series. #weneedtotalkaboutdata See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
This is a taster for The Data Conversation, an 8-episode podcast series digging deeper into #themonalisaeffect and the 'data triangle', and how they have changed, and can change, life and learning for students in international schools worldwide. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.