Using Practice Data to Inform Teaching¶
Practice activity data isn't just for accountability — it's a teaching tool.
Lesson Prep¶
Before a lesson, glance at the student's recent practice activity:
Questions to ask: - Did they practice this week? - Which exercises did they work on? - How many recordings did they attempt? - Were there any abandoned sessions (might indicate frustration)?
How to use it: - If they practiced a lot, celebrate it: "I saw you crushed it with practice this week!" - If they didn't practice, adjust the lesson: "Let's use our time today to work on one exercise together so you feel confident practicing it at home" - If they focused on one exercise heavily, ask: "I see you did that pitch exercise 20 times — what's going on there? Is it fun, or are you stuck?"
Identifying Technical Issues¶
Sometimes low practice activity means technical problems, not motivation.
Red flags: - Student says they're practicing but no sessions are logging - Lots of abandoned sessions (could mean app crashes or freezing) - High playthrough count but zero recordings (could mean microphone permission issues)
What to do: - Ask: "Are you having any trouble with the app or recording?" - Troubleshoot: Check mic permissions, browser compatibility, internet connection - Use "Switch to Student View" feature to see their interface and test functionality
Adjusting Assignments Based on Engagement¶
If students aren't practicing certain exercises, the data tells you to adjust.
Example scenarios:
Scenario A: You assigned 5 exercises. Only 1 is getting practice. - Insight: Either that one is perfect and the others aren't compelling, or students are overwhelmed - Action: Remove 3-4 exercises, keep the one they like plus one new one
Scenario B: Students practice exercises NOT in their practice plan. - Insight: They're self-directed and curious (great!), but might be avoiding your assignments - Action: Ask what appeals to them about the self-chosen exercises, and adjust assignments to align with their interests
Scenario C: All students avoid the same exercise. - Insight: That exercise is probably too hard, unclear, or unenjoyable - Action: Preview the exercise yourself, consider if it's appropriate, or replace it with something similar but more accessible