What does it actually mean to be "evidence-based"? Melissa Loble and Ryan Lufkin sit down with Mary Styers, Director of Evidence and Learning Strategy at Instructure, to find out. With 20 years in program evaluation, Mary breaks down why education's relationship with data is broken and what it takes to fix it.
The conversation covers why rigorous research means nothing if teachers aren't on board, how compliance-driven data cultures stifle real learning, and why a study with only positive results should raise red flags, not applause.
Mary also tackles the paradox of data overload: institutions have more data than ever and still can't act on it. Her answer? Start with one question. Work backward. Build psychological safety. And treat evidence as a journey, not a finish line.
Key topics:
- Why teacher buy-in matters as much as research rigor
- The difference between a compliance culture and a true culture of evidence
- Evidence literacy — what it is and why we're failing to build it
- How rapid cycle evaluation helps institutions iterate fast and learn faster
- Practical first steps for leaders who want to make evidence-driven decisions
What is Educast 3000?
Ah, education…a world filled with mysterious marvels. From K12 to Higher Ed, educational change and innovation are everywhere. And with that comes a few lessons, too.
Each episode, EduCast3000 hosts, Melissa Loble and Ryan Lufkin, will break down the fourth wall and reflect on what’s happening in education – the good, the bad, and, in some cases, the just plain chaotic. This is the most transformative time in the history of education, so if you’re passionate about the educational system and want some timely and honest commentary on what’s happening in the industry, this is your show.
Subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts and join the conversation! If you have a question, comment, or topic to add, drop us a line using your favorite social media platform.