From data to action: use of digital dashboards for decision making

• In Event: Accelerating foundational learning through data-driven decision making: digital solutions in action

Proposal

This presentation explores how digital dashboards are being utilized by teachers, schools, communities, and education administrators to drive data-driven decision-making and provide feedback into educational programming. Digital dashboards have emerged as essential tools for tracking student progress, identifying areas for targeted interventions, and ensuring that educational programs are responsive to the needs of all learners.

Drawing on practical examples from various contexts, the presentation will demonstrate how local stakeholders use digital dashboards to improve foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) outcomes. For example, in Uganda, schools use dashboards to monitor attendance and performance data, enabling timely interventions for at-risk students. In Zambia, teachers use these tools to evaluate the impact of instructional strategies on student learning outcomes and provide real-time feedback to national authorities for broader programmatic adjustments.

The presentation will also address challenges in implementing digital solutions at the local level, such as digital literacy gaps among educators, infrastructure limitations, and the need for localized content that reflects community contexts. Strategies for overcoming these challenges will be discussed, including developing user-friendly interfaces, investing in digital literacy training, and fostering partnerships with local communities to ensure the tools are accessible and relevant.

Recommendations will be provided on how to enhance data use at the grassroots level, emphasizing the importance of empowering local stakeholders to engage in continuous improvement processes. By providing actionable insights into local-level data use, this presentation will illustrate the potential of digital dashboards to transform educational practice and promote equitable learning opportunities for all children.

Author

• Suman Sachdeva Ph.D, UNICEF