Evidence-Based Practice

Dallstream, Nadia

Bates, J., McClure, J., & Spinks, A. (2010). Making the Case for Evidence-Based Practice. Library Media Connection, 29(1), 24-27. Permalink: http://libaccess.sjlibrary.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ899899&site=ehost-live

This article discusses the need for assessment of school libraries. It also provides information on the type of data that can be collected and offers suggestions on how to collect it. The types of they collected include direct which was obtained through: collection statistics, accessibility data, usage statistics and collaborative instruction data. They also give reasons to and ways how to collect indirect data. Some of these ways include: pre and post tests and “ticket out the door” systems. It gives information on the data tracking tools that can easily be implemented like Promethean’s ActiVote System: http://www.prometheanworld.com/en-us/education/products/learner-response-systems/activote and Survey Monkey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/ . They used the data collected to demonstrate to teachers the need for instruction, and then after the instruction and collaboration they collected more data and showed the student’s progress in this way. 

The authors also give examples of how their own instruction and lessons have improved due to student feedback and performance. In addition they have evaluated other data such as the state tests to identify learning gaps and have addressed those skills specifically and collected the data to support that their intervention has made all the difference.

This is definitely an article worth reading. The authors successfully make their case on why collecting data and evidence-based practice is so important. They also give some very easy and practical tips to follow.