Monitoring Student Progress

𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: "I'll harness data and AI for smarter decisions" 🌟 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: "My data is a mess" "Data collection is such a manual chore" 😣   Drawing from my experience as a Machine Learning Engineer in Cambridge and management consultant at McKinsey helping CEOs drive strategic insights, I've seen the power of data.   When I founded GuruLab, I was determined to integrate data analytics into our core operations and make that our competitive advantage.   In the next 3 posts, I will be sharing a few examples of how our data initiatives drive outcomes and the invaluable learnings we gained. --- 🔍 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗚𝘂𝗿𝘂𝗟𝗮𝗯 𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝘆 𝟭𝟬𝗫 Traditionally, parents awaited report cards for an update on their child's performance, often just once every six months.   We made continuous feedback without overwhelming our educators possible by building a streamlined data workflow. This allowed us to send progress updates to >500 students easily, boasting an impressive 80% open rate with each report being revisited ~7 times!   Here's how we did it: 1️⃣ Automate Backend Metrics The one-off investment in tech setup enabled us to collect clean, accurate, and continuous data without manual work moving forward. We used existing SaaS tools like PostHog and built bespoke trackers. For example, attendance is tracked by join and leave class clicks, engagement by patterns of reward points earned. Soon, we can also monitor if students remain focused in our live class. No more attendance marking or noting down which students struggled, improved, or enjoyed the lessons.   2️⃣ Integrate Data Collection into Existing Workflows Let's be real, if your users don't currently do an action, they are not gonna do it for you to collect data.    When we got tutors to write student feedback, they were slow and reluctant with the additional chores.   Instead, we built a seamless process to extract scores from classwork and translate a wall of numbers into parent-facing comments that tutors could easily verify.    With generative #ai on the rise, we are also exploring opportunities in this area 🚀   3️⃣ Collaborative Approach between Tech and Student Success Purely tech-driven data systems risk losing touch with the actual user needs. On the flip side, non-tech teams might not envision the full technological potential (you don't know what you don't know 😉)   The report you see below has data automatically pulled and populated - and parents resonated with the content. We achieved this by engaging our developers. We learned how to communicate context clearly and to come prepared with a manual workflow, which forces the non-tech team to think through each step of what they need.   --- How does your organisation automate data collection? Would love to exchange notes ☕ Stay tuned next week on how we analyse the data at GuruLab! Make sure to hit that 🔔 on my profile to get notified.

In almost every school I've ever visited, the issue isn't the teachers. It's not the leaders. And it's definitely not the kids. But here's the reality in too many schools: inconsistent instruction, stagnant student achievement, frustrated teachers, and overwhelmed leaders. That story was no different in a network of 7 schools we've been working with this year. But it's not the story now. Let me share what we did, not because I think it's magic, but because I think anyone can do it. Here's what we did: 1. Defined the vision for every block of the day: We mapped out what excellence looked like in every key instructional block: - What should an effective reading lesson look like? - What are non-negotiables in math instruction? - How do we leverage history to build background knowledge? - How does science become high rigor and high engagement? - What does student engagement actually look like, sound like, and feel like when we walk into any space in the school? That level of clarity removed guesswork for teachers and gave leaders a shared framework for observations. 2. Every teacher was coached, every week. - Short, focused observations (15-20 minutes, not full-period evaluations) - Immediate, actionable feedback on one key lever, not a laundry list of suggestions - Weekly one-on-one coaching meetings held sacred 3. Set weekly goals to measure progress: Instead of waiting for benchmark assessments, we built simple, weekly indicators of progress: - Are students engaged in learning in every block of the day? - Are students getting plenty of time to independently practice? - Are math exit tickets showing mastery of the lesson objective? - Are teachers implementing feedback from the last coaching session? Small wins led to big momentum. A narrow focus helped teachers and leaders stop feeling like they were doing the most and not seeing any progress. 4. Action planning based on data: No more “data meetings” that were just numbers on a slide. - We reviewed student work together, identified breakdowns, and built immediate next steps. - Teachers left each meeting with a plan they could apply the next day, not vague goals for next quarter. The results: Student proficiency increased by double digits in both reading and math benchmarks within one year. Teachers felt more supported and reported higher confidence in their instruction. Leaders shifted from putting out fires to proactively coaching and driving instructional improvement. If your school or network is struggling with initiative overload, the answer isn’t more programs. It’s more clarity. And the discipline to do some simple things really, really well.

As module teams finish marking and prepare to review student performance data, this is a crucial time to evaluate what's working and for which students 📊 Here are 5 ways to uncover what the data is really telling us: 1. Beyond Face Value Data: Module feedback and NSS scores are helpful, but informal feedback can be invaluable. Consider asking open-ended questions 10 minutes before the end of the lecture, such as “How did you find the session? What was clear? What was less clear?” These can be answered anonymously using tools like Mentimeter or Padlet and can uncover what’s working and what’s not for all our students. 2. Review with Specificity: Is your data reviewed with an intersectional lens? For example, indicators like disability and ethnicity encompass many declared disabilities (both visible and invisible) and various ethnic heritages. By splitting data sets by specific disability categories and ethnicity descriptors, we can better understand diverse student experiences and unique needs. Reviewing year-on-year, as well as post-pandemic vs. pre-pandemic, can add another layer of insight. You can visualise this using software like Tableau to make it easily accessible for the whole team. 3. Observing Differences Without Deficit: We often have expectations about students' lives but may lack awareness of the invisible barriers they experience as well as their navigational capacity for overcoming those barriers. For one student, a part-time job might present significant difficulties, while for another, it can offer essential structure that complements their studies. It's crucial to first develop a genuine awareness of students' lives and then listen to their perspectives on how they navigate their experiences beyond what we can see and without judgement. 4. Beneath the Metrics: Beyond final attainment, consider the hidden metrics that highlight differences across the student journey. These include extension requests, core module grade averages, late submissions, and failed or repeated assessments. These indicators can signal that some students with certain protected characteristics are experiencing very different learning journeys than we might expect. 5. Ensuring Representative Feedback: The truth is, not all students provide feedback. Often, the students we most want to hear from may not engage through traditional methods at all. Beyond student reps, consider appointing student partners who can capture the student voice in different ways throughout the year. Having close peers discuss what’s working and what’s not for different students can be much more impactful and revealing over time. I'm curious to know, are there other innovative ways you've seen student data/voice captured on a degree course with inclusion in mind? Please share your thoughts 🔍

5 Effective Ways to Measure Student Progress Tracking student progress goes beyond grades. It’s about understanding how students learn and grow. Here are five key assessment strategies every educator can use: 1. Pre-Assessments Use short quizzes, surveys, or informal discussions before starting a unit to gauge students’ prior knowledge and readiness. 2. Observational Assessments Monitor student behavior and engagement through notes and behavior trackers. These offer real-time insights into their learning journey. 3. Performance Tasks Let students show what they know through projects, presentations, or hands-on activities. These tasks promote creativity and critical thinking. 4. Student Self-Assessments Encourage learners to reflect on their progress using rubrics, checklists, and self-evaluation tools. It builds metacognition and responsibility. 5. Formative Assessments Regular quizzes, exit tickets, writing prompts, and problem-solving tasks help teachers adjust instruction and provide timely support. Why it matters: Using a variety of assessment methods ensures a holistic view of student learning and helps tailor instruction to meet their needs. How do you measure progress in your classroom? #Education #Learning #StudentAssessment #TeachingStrategies #FormativeAssessment #GrowthMindset

One of the best decisions I made as an online tutor was buying a simple book. Not a textbook. Not a teaching manual. But a record of work, a dedicated space where I track each student under my care. In this book, I document: ✅ Monthly learning goals ✅ Weekly contact sessions ✅ Assessment scores ✅ Areas of strength ✅ Areas that need attention With this, I don’t have to wake up each day wondering, “What should I teach today?” I already have a plan. A direction. A structure. This method has changed everything for me and because online teaching is more than just logging into Zoom and showing up. It’s about being intentional, organized, and accountable. It tells the story of a child who couldn’t read three-letter words… now reading simple sentences confidently. This record of work also shows the quiet wins a student who finally grasped regrouping in subtraction. It reminds me that learning is a journey, and as a tutor, I’m the guide. No more guessing what to teach next. No more repeating lessons because I forgot where we stopped. No more blind spots when writing reports or speaking to parents. With this system, I walk into every session with a plan. And I walk out with clarity. I know my students. I know their pace. I know their progress. And most importantly, I know that the parents are getting real value for every session they invest in. This record has made my work neater, my reports sharper, and my results stronger. And to my fellow online tutors: If you want to be seen as a professional, you must act like one. ✔️ Track your work. ✔️ Be intentional. ✔️ Have a structure because structure breeds excellence. ✔️ Your teaching shouldn’t just be felt during class, it should be seen in results. Whether it’s a notebook, a digital spreadsheet, or a custom tool, find what works for you. Because when you track progress, you prove value. And when you prove value, you grow. Please repost and let someone learn from this. #OnlineTeaching #TutorTips #RecordOfWork #IntentionalTutoring #TutorTribe #EducatorsWhoPlan #DigitalLearning #TutorSuccess #OnlineEducators #StudentProgressMatters #TeachingWithExcellence