Trendy Data

Indeed, that is correct.  My data is TRENDY!   No, it's not stylish, or fancy or even conclusive, but it is showing trends.  It's neat to see how numbers are growing and fading in relation to each other.  Although there is so much room for error when interacting with individual people, personalities and an innumerable amount of other influences outside of the classroom, it is good to see that me research is actually producing some information.  :) 

On the other hand, I am finding that the information that I am gathering amounts to very little hardcore evidence.  Mostly, this information is just revealing what I already knew (or thought I knew).  It is backing up my assumptions, and so I wonder how accurately I am measuring this data, and what influences I have attributed to the results.  Since it is all student-given feedback that is producing the most meaningful results, I suppose I am simply an overseer of the data.  However, it is important for me to remember that as I am collecting this data, that there is much more information that I do not know. 

But, in the meantime, with the limited vision of data available, I have seen the following trends:

1. Student effort is consistently related to student enjoyment of class 
2. Student effort and enjoyment raises and falls without direct relation to teacher's feelings or situation.
3. Days unpredictably raise and fall. 

So, now I am wondering when students do better, and when they don't.  Perhaps the day of the weeke has something to do with this?  Perhaps the events of the week, or the assignment load in other classes?  Or perhaps it is related to home life?  OR perhaps it is completely random?  ...too bad I can't be paid to invade schools and research these questions more conclusively and fully.  That would be exciting!!!

-Amy M