Monday, June 11, 2012

Beyond the Anecdotal Datum

Stories are powerful things. They bring us in narrative form a detailed account of an event, an anecdote. Through the years we have lauded the power of a good story and rightfully so. The other side of the success of narrative has been that a story is just that, an anecdote. The power of a good story has been used for good, and for persuasion, where facts can get twisted to make an argument for one side or another. So a story has become in some corners, mere "anecdotal data," which has been deemed a bad thing. But really what has been called in to question in the quantitative milieu in which we live and work is the anecdotal datum, the singular point or event that has no sibling. A story or singular observation is just a datum, standing alone in the world.

"Data" is a Latin word and is plural, while "datum" is the singular. Like the words "curricula" (plural) and "curriculum" (singular). So a single observation is a datum, whereas multiple observations constitute data.

In terms of lesson study, the distinction that needs to be made is that a single observation may be anecdotal, but multiple observations of an event are not merely anecdotal. Multiple observations or measures constitute data. When we make our observations in a lesson study process, while the lesson is being taught, we are making numerous observations. Each observation is a singular event, but take all the observations and analyze them together: themes emerge. These themes come from multiple points of observation and transform the anecdotal datum into qualitative data.

In the research world, data tends to be divided into the realms of qualitative and quantitative data. FCAT data is quantitative; classroom observations are qualitative. Both realms of data are important and have their roles. So in a lesson study context it is important not to devalue what we see over and over again as merely anecdotal, simple because an emerging theme from multiple observations is qualitative data, a sound form of research to inform decision making.

So data collection in lesson study moves beyond the anecdotal datum into the realm of qualitative data, sound information to base our instructional decisions upon.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Celebrate!

Celebrations have always been important, especially when they are coupled with growth. I just returned from two such celebrations in Orange and Polk Counties, two districts that are moving the lesson study envelope forward. These celebrations brought together teachers and administrators involved in lesson study and celebrated their courage and commitment to the idea that education is not only close the door and teach. Indeed, these professional development sessions did more than acknowledge the brave; they also refreshed and reaffirmed the ideals of lesson study. One celebration included the words of poet Emily Dickenson as a way to ponder the power of lesson study.

I dwell in Possibility

A fairer House than Prose

More numerous of Windows

Superior for Doors


 

Of Chambers as the Cedars

Impregnable of Eye

And for Everlasting Roof

The Gambrels of the Sky


 

Of Visitors the fairest

For Occupation This

The spreading wide my narrow Hands

To gather Paradise


 

The opening of windows and doors to let in the light will surely illuminate our efforts to educate children and move the possibilities forward. Celebrate what you have done. Build upon that foundation.