Stop Drowning in Data: Why Uncertainty Makes Us Better Educators
Description
In this S5E9 Schoolutions Teaching Strategies conversation, join me with Angela Stockman to move beyond feeling overwhelmed with data, thanks to Angela's practical teaching tips that foster student-centered learning. Learn how to refine your classroom practices and assessment strategies for better outcomes. This video provides actionable insights for teachers by improving data analysis to inform teaching strategies.
If you've ever felt like you're drowning in data but starving for actual insights about student engagement and classroom behavior, this conversation with Angela will transform your approach to teaching.
đź’ˇ WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
âś“ Why documentation sustains your energy instead of draining it
âś“ How to use tools like Otter.ai and Unruler for easy documentation
âś“ The difference between compliance paperwork and pedagogical documentation
âś“ How to get "under the hood" of quantitative data with student perspectives
âś“ Why saying "I don't know" increases your credibility as an educator
âś“ How to pick one focal point and document for a full year
âś“ Ways documentation improves instructional strategies and student success
Episode Mentions:
đź’«The Writing Teacher's Guide to Pedagogical Documentation
đź’«Carla Rinaldi
đź’«Bill Cope
đź’«Mary KalantzisÂ
đź’«Nell Duke
đź’«Kelly Cartwright
đź’«John Hattie
CHAPTERS
0:00 - Introduction: Drowning in Data, Starving for InsightsÂ
1:00 - Meet Angela Stockman: 20+ Years of Documentation ResearchÂ
2:00 - Welcome & Episode OverviewÂ
3:00 - Research Foundations: Carla Rinaldi & Reggio EmiliaÂ
5:00 - Why Documentation Matters Now More Than EverÂ
6:00 - Understanding Learning from Students' PerspectivesÂ
8:00 - Documentation as Sustaining Energy (Not Draining It)Â
9:00 - Compliance vs. Pedagogical DocumentationÂ
10:00 - Being a Teacher by Learning, Not Just DoingÂ
11:00 - Too Much Data, Not Enough SavvyÂ
12:00 - Getting Under the Hood of Quantitative DataÂ
14:00 - Making Documentation a Routine, Not a BurdenÂ
16:00 - Practical Tools: Otter.ai & Speech-to-TextÂ
18:00 - Creating a Documentation System That WorksÂ
20:00 - Sharing Documentation with Students & Families
23:00 - Documentation as a Love LanguageÂ
25:00 - The Power of "I Don't Know" in TeachingÂ
28:00 - Credibility Through Curiosity, Not CertaintyÂ
30:00 - When Students Teach Us More Than We Teach ThemÂ
32:00 - Messy Implementation & the Beginner's MindÂ
33:00 - Avoiding "Lift and Drop" Best PracticesÂ
34:00 - Lightning Round: Best Documentation ToolsÂ
35:00 - Biggest Mistakes in DocumentationÂ
36:00 - Advice: Pick ONE Focal Point for the YearÂ
37:00 - Connect with Angela StockmanÂ
38:00 - Final Thoughts & Call to ActionÂ
39:00 - Outro & Next Steps
đź“§ schoolutionspodcast@gmail.com
🎵Benjamin Wahl
When coaches, teachers, administrators, and families work hand in hand, it fosters a school atmosphere where everyone is inspired and every student is fully engaged in their learning journey.



