Data, as we've discussed frequently on BustED Pencils, is neither good nor evil. Whether we like it or not, actors both beneficent and hostile collect and analyze and use our data constantly. From healthcare records to social media networks, our personal data circulates each day. In schools, students' data- test scores, attendance and class participation, preferences for name and pronouns, and interests- can help educators to individualize their teaching to each child. But only when teachers can access all of the information reliably and efficiently. Many schools struggle with disparately stored data- testing results on one software, attendance on another, academic records on a third, and notes from one teacher to another often never stored anywhere at all.

So what can teachers do? Well, they can try Otus, revolutionary EdTech combining all of this information so that teachers can spend their time on what matters most: teaching. Today, Otus co-founder and President, Chris Hull, joins us as a new Pencil Buster. A former middle school education, Chris saw a pressing need to consolidate data to free teacher time. And that really is an educated educator's most valuable resource.

BustED Pencils: Fully Leaded Education Talk is part of Civic Media. Subscribe to the podcast to be sure not to miss out on a single episode! To learn more about the show and all of the programming across the Civic Media network, head over to https://civicmedia.us/shows. Join the conversation by calling or texting us at 608-557-8577 to leave a message!