The whole concept of connected data is a fundamentally simple one, but nonetheless important. Data connection means that all data across an organization are connected and visible through a central location. This concept is built to form a strong relationship between all stakeholders. The connected data concept is merely a division of data between all operational functions and departments.
Given that people today have unlimited ways to engage with companies and educational organizations, the need for a unified data management approach increases. This approach requires not only investing in state-of-the-art technology but also developing a data-oriented mindset across the organization in order to create a system that will be “a single source of truth” for all users.
Why Connected Data Matters to Organizations
Connected data is a foundational concept required to provide the deep level of end-user understanding, necessary for highly personalized and engagement in today’s digital world and more so in the world education. Without this connection across all systems, there is a high risk of system malfunction. Having connected data requires a deep understanding of end-user, collecting data from different sources, connecting different databases and making it accessible throughout the organization.
This process creates the right conditions to develop and continually update a data management strategy that will help organizations communicate accurately and engage with end users. This strategy allows the organization to understand end-user behaviors, preferences, and trends across all touchpoints throughout the entire engagement lifecycle.
To truly have connected data, there must be integration with all data sources and types across the organization. Whether the data comes from the CRM, email service provider, web analytics, social media, or Internet of Things (IoT), all interaction data is being brought together and is viewable through a centralized database. With this technique, they can drive advanced analytics and real-time engagement flow thus personalizing interactions with the end-user in ways that close the engagement gap.
Worldwide, the amount of data generated every day is double the amount of data generated from the beginning of recorded history up to the year 2003.
With the rise of digital engagement, it’s becoming less and less practical to operate with divided data. People increasingly disengage with organizations that are unwilling or unable to provide relevant experiences or act in a user-centric manner. Connected data allows IT, admins and other stakeholders, to know their user’s behaviour in-depth. There is tremendous potential value in creating a connected data strategy, and the organizations that recognize that will be the ones who remain competitive in the age of the empowered user.
Why connected data are significant for education?
Enriched information
Student information systems (SIS), LMS and other platforms are becoming the new norm when it comes to student’s engagement. Instead of having to access different databases or platforms, having a connected data infrastructure allows educators to easily assess student’s academic performance and identify academic progress. This combination of information can be more insightful than traditional academic reports.
Aligned educational planning
With information on student performance gathered via connected data; curriculum and instructional leaders can easily identify strengths and growth opportunities. Educators can also find valuable information regarding which educational plan to follow as well as any imbalances in the diversity of the students. Valuable insights promote valuable approaches to teaching and education.
Enhanced decision making
Having the right data allow educators to support decisions related to everyday school life. For example, they can:
-Monitor student attendance and identify at-risk students in advance
-Evaluate teachers
-Differentiate instruction material based on classroom profile
-Evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs and take corrective actions
-Predict academic success and readiness for college or university
Effective outcomes management
Student information systems like Classter allow institutions to provide a complete and comprehensive approach to student engagement while focusing on the student’s progress. Through Classter schools can set goals for their students or certain educational outcomes for every course. Teachers can integrate the goals achieved with the whole grade as well as numerous other functions like creating scenarios of marking or specifying how a student is evaluated.
There are also other simplifications that involve data connectivity such as providing a set of descriptive assessment criteria that can be used by teachers for student evaluation. They also allow educators to use predetermined, modifiable texts to assess student’s progress or respond to a set of open-ended evaluation questions.
Increased parents’ involvement
Parents like to know everything when it comes to their children’s progress. Teachers can use data connectivity from all platforms to show parents what their child needs to improve and in what areas their child excels in. They can have access to reports, absences and everything that has to do with their child and their relationship with the school. Since feedback is extremely important to a child’s success the feedback is twice as important since it can make or break the progress of a student.
Classter and data connectivity
Classter is a pioneer in the education technology industry and it boosts data connectivity in K12 schools through its platform with the sole purpose to bring success both to the institution and the stakeholders. It provides one of the most comprehensive and configurable tools in the student information system market today. Contact our sales team to learn more.
FAQ’s
Connected data refers to the integration of all data sources and types across an organization, enabling a unified view of information. In education, connected data is crucial as it allows educators to assess student performance, align educational planning, make informed decisions, and manage outcomes effectively.
Connected data facilitates educational planning by providing insights into student performance, curriculum alignment, and program effectiveness. It also supports informed decision-making by enabling educators to monitor student attendance, evaluate teachers, and predict academic success.
Classter is a leading education technology platform that promotes data connectivity in K12 schools by offering comprehensive tools for student information management, curriculum planning, outcome assessment, and parental engagement.