CEDO 540 Week 2

This week we were to research a few survey tools, both free and paid applications. I've used a few of the free versions for informal polls and surveys in my classes but haven't used one for any statistical purposes yet. The free versions of these tools fits the purpose I need/use them for (polldaddy, polleverywhere, surveymonkey). I did send out a survey at the beginning of the year to assess people's knowledge and interest of various technology applications/tools and did so by creating a Google Form. It might my need just fine. I didn't need to take the results and do any sort of high level analysis besides just looking at who knew how to use what tool and what tool(s) each person wanted to know more about. I'm not sure a paid survey tool would have benefited my purpose.

With that said, like I mentioned in our group response this week when comparing survey tools, it is difficult to really compare the paid vs. free versions of survey applications. It is sort of like comparing apples and oranges. Many of the free versions we checked out had an upgrade; with that upgrade, those applications were basically the same price and had the same features as the other paid versions we looked at. It was "fair" to compare the free versions to the other paid tools because they weren't the same. Also, it is really difficult to make a recommendation for one or two tools because each tool will fit a different purpose. I wouldn't go out and spend $200+ per year to conduct surveys/polls in my classroom but it might be a decent investment for a district/system to do so when conducting a research study or trying to gather information for a larger purpose.

CEDO 540 Week 1

As you read this post, please don't read it with a disrespectful tone/mood as that isn't my intent. As my mind is trying to understand this "foreign language" called stats, I'm also really trying to understand why this course is part of our requirements for the ME in Instructional Technology. As I was getting more and more frustrated and wondering "why!?!" I went to the syllabus to try to find some answers. Here is what I found...

"Course Description
Today using data is required throughout the educational and business communities to support decision making and to formulate projections and plan future directions. This course covers the fundamentals of technology-based data collection, analysis and subsequent use of the results to support informed decision making. The course also addresses use of data resources and data collecting on the Internet.

Background
Drawing upon the technology-based tools including available survey instruments and Internet resources, the intent of the course is that students will develop facility with basic descriptive and inferential statistical measures to learn how to interpret data meaningfully."

I've read it over many times and am still struggling with this course being a three credit course in our program. I know...I don't make the rules for this program and am sure there are great supporting reasons why this course makes up 10% of our required credits for the instructional technology program. Maybe I just need someone to explain the reasoning a bit more because I'm not seeing the clear connection. With all professional development, it sure helps when trying to get the "buy in" from the participants if they can see a clear connection to how it is relevant and will be used in the future. I'll try my best and put in my 100% effort but it really would help my attitude get an adjustment if I could see that connection.

CEDO 535 Week 6

The application that I will continue to incorporate into my professional life is...drumroll please...Twitter! I am choosing this application because I know it will continue to be extremely beneficial in my ongoing professional development and learning about technology, active learning strategies, and collaboration with and learning other best practices from teachers around the world.

SMART goal: I will continue to gather and contribute resources via Twitter once a day (weekdays) throughout the school year and at least two times a week during the summer months.

Specific - see specific goal statement above.
Measurable - This is either a "yes" or "no" evaluation if it was done or not.
Attainable - This goal is attainable as I have access to the Internet via my laptop & wireless as well as at least 10 minutes a day to scan through the tweets from the day (save as "favorite" if no time to save/tag on Diigo).
Realistic - This is doable...something that can be done over lunch or to start out my day while I'm reading emails and getting ready for the day.
Timely- This is an ongoing goal that I will continue to do.