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.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Sunday, February 13, 2011
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.
"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.
Friday, February 11, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
CEDO 535 Week 5
This week for class we were to explore a new Web 2.0 application/tool that hasn't been brought up in class yet. I decided to research and explore QR codes since I've bene quite intrigued by them but didn't know much about them. QR (Quick Response) codes are 2D bar codes that can store much more information than the tradition bar code that you see on products at the store. Now that I know what they are and how to create them, I am looking at how I can use them in the classroom. I've seen blog posts from people explaining how they use them in the classroom - to share answers to worksheets with students, more information about a particular topic, a link to a YouTube video, create a scavenger hunt around school, and so much more.
The other assignment that is coming due next class is to create a Google site or a wiki. I have many wikis for my classes as well as my tech coach position where I share information/links/resources as well as my embedded Google calendar to let the teachers know where I will be & when. Instead of creating a new wiki or site, I have been spending my time re-vamping my existing wiki to make it more user-friendly and easy to navigate. It is always difficult spending time on something that you aren't sure is going to get used by other people but even if other people aren't utilizing the resources/information, at least it is helping me stay organized and definitely cuts down on the prep time for me when I have to give presentations or inservices on various tech related topics.
The other assignment that is coming due next class is to create a Google site or a wiki. I have many wikis for my classes as well as my tech coach position where I share information/links/resources as well as my embedded Google calendar to let the teachers know where I will be & when. Instead of creating a new wiki or site, I have been spending my time re-vamping my existing wiki to make it more user-friendly and easy to navigate. It is always difficult spending time on something that you aren't sure is going to get used by other people but even if other people aren't utilizing the resources/information, at least it is helping me stay organized and definitely cuts down on the prep time for me when I have to give presentations or inservices on various tech related topics.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
CEDO 535 Week 4
This week in class we are looking at social bookmarking, podcasts & screencasts, social networks, & microblogging (Twitter). I've been using these tools for quite some time now. I look at social bookmarking & Twitter as going hand-in-hand. While I'm on Twitter, I'm not sure how I would keep track of or organize all of the resources I gather in just one hour on Twitter. I mainly used Delicious but recently have exported all of my bookmarks to Diigo after the talks of Delicous's possible demise and/or sale by Yahoo! I just wanted to be safe so I imported all of my Delicious bookmarks into my Diigo account. I've been using Diigo since mid-December & it works just as easy as Delicious.
I've also used Facebook (social network) in order to keep in touch with family and friends across the miles. Actually, the main reason I joined Facebook was to share pictures of my son when he was born (instead of emailing pictures, etc). My brother lives in Florida so it is a great way for him to see pictures of the kids since he only gets to see them a few times a year (and thank goodness for Skype as well!) :). There have been talks about teachers using Facebook for school purposes as long as the teacher has a separate school & personal Facebook account. I'm still on the fence with that issue. I totally see the value in teachers connect with students to share news, assignments, etc since they practically live on Facebook anyway but I want to see a policy in place to lay out the guidelines, etc before I'm jumping on board with that. I know our school has a general Facebook profile that is mainly used by alumni to stay in contact with fellow classmates & get any school updates that relate to them.
The last two applications, podcasts & screencasts, I have the least amount of experience. I've made a few "how to" videos for a teacher who was leading a committee and wanted to set up a wiki and an etherpad for group collaboration. I couldn't be at the meeting to explain the tools so I created a screencast for a few "how to's". I didn't use an official "screencast" application but simply used my Flip video camera to record myself going through the steps as I narrated as well. I also used the Windows 7 Problem Steps Recorder to show teachers how to create a Custom Google Search. It turned out really neat; it took a screenshot of each step I did in the process as well as the narration below each image. It was super easy to use! To find out more information about it, go here.
I'd love for my students in Web Tools to create podcasts & screencasts of various Web 2.0 applications that they explore so they can be shared with teachers as they have questions about that specific tool/application. It would be neat to have a wiki full of "how to" tutorials that are student created. I think I'm going to add that to my list of activities for that class...
I've also used Facebook (social network) in order to keep in touch with family and friends across the miles. Actually, the main reason I joined Facebook was to share pictures of my son when he was born (instead of emailing pictures, etc). My brother lives in Florida so it is a great way for him to see pictures of the kids since he only gets to see them a few times a year (and thank goodness for Skype as well!) :). There have been talks about teachers using Facebook for school purposes as long as the teacher has a separate school & personal Facebook account. I'm still on the fence with that issue. I totally see the value in teachers connect with students to share news, assignments, etc since they practically live on Facebook anyway but I want to see a policy in place to lay out the guidelines, etc before I'm jumping on board with that. I know our school has a general Facebook profile that is mainly used by alumni to stay in contact with fellow classmates & get any school updates that relate to them.
The last two applications, podcasts & screencasts, I have the least amount of experience. I've made a few "how to" videos for a teacher who was leading a committee and wanted to set up a wiki and an etherpad for group collaboration. I couldn't be at the meeting to explain the tools so I created a screencast for a few "how to's". I didn't use an official "screencast" application but simply used my Flip video camera to record myself going through the steps as I narrated as well. I also used the Windows 7 Problem Steps Recorder to show teachers how to create a Custom Google Search. It turned out really neat; it took a screenshot of each step I did in the process as well as the narration below each image. It was super easy to use! To find out more information about it, go here.
I'd love for my students in Web Tools to create podcasts & screencasts of various Web 2.0 applications that they explore so they can be shared with teachers as they have questions about that specific tool/application. It would be neat to have a wiki full of "how to" tutorials that are student created. I think I'm going to add that to my list of activities for that class...
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
CEDO 535 Week 3
This week one of the main applications explored was RSS feeds. Five years ago I worked for an entrepreneurship website in its beta stage gathering entrepreneurial resources. In order to find the latest articles and resources I set up RSS feeds (first I started using Google Alerts but then migrated over to using RSS feeds because then all of the resources were in one place & I could quickly scan through them to see if they were "post worthy". Since leaving that position I haven't used RSS feeds much but now that I'm reading more blogs on a regular basis I've decided to re-establish using this tool. I like the idea of the updates all being in one place rather than having to go to each site individually to see if any new changes have been made.
Many people worry about adding one more thing to their plate & often say, "I don't have time for (you fill in the blank)" when it comes to new tech tools/applications. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten that response when talking to teachers about Twitter..."I don't have time for that!" If they only new how much time it saves me, just like RSS feeds, because the information/resources COME TO ME! I don't have to do any work finding the resources....zero time spent researching. It only takes me time to quickly determine if it is something I want to read through in more detail, "favorite" to read in greater detail at a later time, or take a few minutes to read through at that moment. I don't quite get it...if it is something that is going to make your life easier, why not take the hour (if that) to set up your account and subscribe to some sites/blogs/etc? The amount of time it takes to set up the account will quickly be made up in the time you will save finding resources later since you don't have to find them....they find you. :)
Many people worry about adding one more thing to their plate & often say, "I don't have time for (you fill in the blank)" when it comes to new tech tools/applications. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten that response when talking to teachers about Twitter..."I don't have time for that!" If they only new how much time it saves me, just like RSS feeds, because the information/resources COME TO ME! I don't have to do any work finding the resources....zero time spent researching. It only takes me time to quickly determine if it is something I want to read through in more detail, "favorite" to read in greater detail at a later time, or take a few minutes to read through at that moment. I don't quite get it...if it is something that is going to make your life easier, why not take the hour (if that) to set up your account and subscribe to some sites/blogs/etc? The amount of time it takes to set up the account will quickly be made up in the time you will save finding resources later since you don't have to find them....they find you. :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)