Effective Data Use in Online Learning Environments

Abstract

Collecting and analyzing data for continuous improvement of student learning has been a staple of the United States education system for the past two decades, but K-12 education is experiencing a paradigm shift to online learning. Teachers in face-to-face environments have experience monitoring student learning and collecting data through formative assessment. Assessment strategies implemented in face-to-face classrooms can be modified for an online learning environment. Additionally, higher education has utilized online platforms far longer than K-12 education and have extensive knowledge on data collection in an online learning environment. K-12 pre-service and in-service teachers can learn from the trials and tribulations of higher education in online learning. Lastly, teacher educators need to respond to this change in the instructional environment by altering their current curriculum to prepare preservice teachers to teach in an online environment. This chapter addresses these issues and provides practical examples and strategies for data collection in K-12 online learning environments.