EDLD 5326 - Action Research Plan Update

My Action Research project has been a slow and steady process to complete.  I’m basically at the mercy of my teachers in regards to monitoring the usage of eInstruction in their classrooms.  I’m relying on them to actually utilize it and allow me to monitor and follow up with those teachers after they use it with their students.  It’s been difficult to get going this school year with eInstruction because we implemented a new Learning Management System and we have been busy working through all the kinks and bugs in order to get it running efficiently.  Teachers’ attentions are focused on learning that LMS and how to utilize it in their classrooms with their students that unfortunately eInstruction has not been a priority.  However, I have a training planned tomorrow on how to use eInstruction in the classroom for those informal assessments. I plan on working especially with the ELA and Science teachers and getting them focused on having their classes set up and possibly creating some ExamView quick tests.  I have gathered some data already but still need to gather additional data in order to conference with teachers.  The data I have is very useful and proves that eInstruction used for informal assessments is beneficial.  I need to do a better job at mapping out in my day to meet with those teachers who are not using eInstruction with their classroom to find out their reasons why they are not implementing the program.  I have some records of why they don’t use it, such as time for students to gather clickers, increased chance of cheating and other reasons.  I also need to work with those teachers and find ways that eInstruction will be beneficial to them.

EDLD 5397 Week 5 Web Conference Reflection

Dr. Borel started the web conference discussing our Action Research Plans and informed us that some people lost points because they omitted the Literature Review section.  She then reviewed the Site Supervisor information and informed us she just posted the spreadsheet of whose site supervisor submitted the PISE/ETLISE and Dispositions Surveys and those who did not.  She also reviewed the requirements for week 5 and reviewed the seven required documents that need to be uploaded in TK20 under one artifact.  There were questions about rewriting the Action Research Plan and she informed us we do not have to rewrite our plans before uploading to TK20.  She then discussed the Professional Development Plan, which should include our goals and how we will evaluate those goals whether it is parental involvement, discipline or scheduling.  Basically, we need to include those goals we want to know more about.  I’m glad she discussed this because I wasn’t exactly sure what our plan should entail.  Dr. Borel then reviewed the Campus Supervised Plan and the hours we need, which is a minimum of 75 hours.  Our Course Supervised hours have to add up to around 150 hours by the end of our 5398 class but it may be 100 hours for someone else, which is dependent upon the courses they have taken.   She included that this was our last web conference and to email her if we still have not heard from our Field Supervisors.  Again, this was an informative conference overall.

EDLD 5397 - Week 3 Web Conference Reflection

     I was fortunate again to actually attend our web conference this past Wednesday.  Dr. Borel welcomed everyone and opened up with a slide that contained the items for discussion.  She informed us to grab our blue APA book as she would be referencing it during the conference.  Since many have been asking, she reviewed the Lamar calendar in regards to the scheduling of classes whether you are an Administration or Educational Technology student.  She also discussed when you would be graduating depending on when you finish your last class.  Dr. Borel informed us there has been an issue with TK20 so our site supervisors have not received their forms yet, which she was not happy about.  She will let us know when that email is sent out from TK20 and if it does not get sent, what the alternate process will be.  She reminded us to read our weekly announcement, which I make sure I do.  Dr. Borel once again reviewed the field supervisor information in regards to our conferences and to submit that feedback to Blackboard and TK20.  Since we are writing a paper in regards to our Action Research Plan this week, she reminded us to use the template for our report.  We were told the new handbooks were also posted.  After her general announcements were made, she started to review the work for week 3.  In regards to the APA homework, she said we need to get 9 correct in order to receive our points for that portion of the assignment.  We are to rewrite the samples using APA format.  She gave us one of the samples and referred us to page 277 in the APA blue handbook to assist us with rewriting that citation.  She gave us a few more samples and we discussed the issues and what the correct formats should be.  When we finished those, she reviewed the Action Research Plan and reminded us to start working on that this week.  Some asked if they could change their plans and she informed them they could.  She reminded us of the next conference date and time and then answered questions.  

EDLD 5363 Student-Centered Video Debrief

Team Debrief: 
I will admit I did not know too much about tornados and exactly how they are formed.  I knew that there are different scales on how they’re rated.  I knew they occur when warm air collides with cold air.  I learned that they occur cause of wind shear and their ratings are based on the damage they leave behind.  I feel creating the video took some time because there were four of us each having a part in the process and we had to complete these different stages before continuing onto the next.  I feel it wasn’t too difficult but just took some time to gather all videos, permissions to use them, copyright, credits, etc.  I learned a great deal about Creative Commons and copyrighting that I plan on using that information with my teachers and students.

Individual Debrief: 
As always, I enjoyed working with my team consisting of Darla, Stephanie and Rhonda. I know each of us will do our part and we are agreeable on most aspects of our project. Rhonda did a fantastic job of setting up all the documentation in our Google Docs so each of us could modify and add the information as needed.  We all shared our ideas on tornado footage and what information should be included in our video.  This entire process took longer than expected because we each had to do our own part on our own and then share with the rest of the group and await their feedback.  I also think what took longer than expected was getting all the copyright information from our different contributors for our video project.  I feel we all contributed to this video project and I am personally excited about our finished product!

EDLD 5363 - Internship Activities & Action Research Project Update

     My campus-supervised Internship activities are coming along pretty nicely.  I actually have most of my hours completed, which amounts to about 125-130 hours.  I have learned much about our campus and district that I normally would not learn about or follow, such as how busses are scheduled, food service information and budget.  This particular assignment has pushed me to get out of my “comfort zone” and explore other areas of my campus that I would not normally investigate.  Sometimes as educators we get comfortable with what we know that we fail to explore outside our area of expertise to learn more about other things on our campus.  Doing this has made me realize the workload others have on their plate and it helped me become more diverse when I know what others are doing and are responsible for.  It makes me look at our campus at how it’s operated as a “whole.”

     My action research plan is coming along very slowly.  I am not receiving as much participation from my teachers as I thought I would.  I believe it is because they have so many other things going on especially with a new program our administrators implemented that communicating with me on my action research plan is not a priority for them.  Even though I had numerous teachers share their lesson plans with me in Eduphoria, many still are not using eInstruction for quick informal assessments or they are just not indicating it in their lesson plans.  With this being said, I did receive some data from some teachers who did utilize the eInstruction for informal assessments so I plan on using their information.

EDLD 5363 - Web Conferences Reflection

I attended four different web conferences, which were very helpful because we were able to ask questions and receive assistance.  Dr. Abernathy was always very kind and offered assistance when requirements for the course were in question.  There were questions about where to post - some were confused about the difference between their Google site and their blog so she clarified those questions.  During every conference she reminded us to submit our assignments to TK20 by the end of week 5.  For the video project we worked on in week 2 she reminded us that we should include more pictures and video rather than words – the pictures and video should speak volumes – more so than the words.  She also reminded us what the time lengths should be for our videos.  Another good reminder was to stay current on our Internship hours and Action Research Plan.  She instructed us to not get behind on those.  Also, if our web conference reflections are in our Google site or blog, we must provide the links to those.  She reminded us of the ways we can communicate with our group, such as through Google Hangout, Skype, Google Docs or FreeConferenceCall.com

I enjoyed hearing the talk about ISTE in San Antonio and all the activities that were planned in the days leading up to the event.  One of the girls in our group shared her experiences at the conference and it sounded unbelievable!  I really wish I could have attended this year; however, I will try to attend sometime in the very near future.

EDLD 5363 - Week 1 Reflection

            This digital project assignment really excited me!  Just like students in the classroom, I learn the most when I get to actually create something.  It was interesting to be on the other side of this assignment as I always assist my teachers with giving this type of assignment – now I got to create it myself!  Teachers can truly measure what their students know by assigning digital project-based assignments.  Not only did I have to use photos but I had to narrate with applicable emotion and choose music that would give additional emotion.  The topic was easy for me as my father passed away 3 weeks ago and I wanted to create something in honor of him.

            I could use my video as a sample for my teachers for them to understand what their students’ finished projects would look like and as a springboard for them to go from.  It shows them how I used pictures, transitions, motions, narration, music, text and citations into a video portraying an aspect of my life.  Not only did I produce a video but I also wrote a script and created a storyboard depicting what I could include in my finished video project.  That was the first time I used the Storyboard site (www.storyboardthat.com), which I found to be very easy to use and understand.  I went through all the steps that a student would for a classroom assignment in creating my video.

            Instead of writing a paper about my chosen topic, I could actually incorporate writing with narration, text, photos and music to communicate my true feelings about how I acquired my strong work ethic.  I know that’s not possible with just writing a paper.  Many students are more talented when it comes to conveying feelings through photos, music and voice.  I think the more teachers see these types of digital projects from their students they will see that while the students enjoy it more than writing papers, they are also learning and mastering the objectives.  I found that’s true for me.  Producing these types of digital projects actually involves higher order thinking than just simply verbally or writing the story.  It actually demands more cognitive and spatial awareness.  Just as with other assignments, teachers can adjust a digital project assignment for students based on their needs.  It’s very easy for them to differentiate for the learners in the classroom.

            It’s fairly easy for teachers to show students all the Web 2.0 tools that are available to them so access is really not limited.  I felt I had a plethora of free Web 2.0 tools to choose from.  Students need to keep in mind about copyrighted materials and information when producing digital content.  It’s beneficial for students to share their content with others as to open their eyes to other cultures and feelings.  Awareness is key!

            I really enjoyed working on this project as it brought back a lot of memories for me and reminders of things I have forgotten.  I feel I was able to convey all my thoughts, feelings and lessons learned in my finished video project. 

Standards Addressed: c.1.a., c.1.b., c.2.a., c.2.b., c.4.a., c.4.b, c.4.c., c.4.d., c.4.e, c.4.f., c.5.a., c.5.b., c.5. c.6.n, 2.a., 2.d.