EDLD 5363 Week 1 Web Conference 11-13-11

It was a little bit of a rush to attend this conference, but I made it! And, I'm so glad I did. For some reason, the assignments for this course were confusing to me. After listening to Dr. Abernathy and seeing some other students post the same questions that I had, I felt a little more relaxed. My audio didn't work as well as it has in previous conferences, but I was still able to follow along.

Dr. Abernathy discussed the requirements of posting on the discussion board and that we should use it for all conversations and not just quotes about the readings.  She also mentioned that we just need to respond to one quote instead of two, and I'm grateful for this change. Also, a few changes have been made to our digital story.  Instead of 3-4 minutes, it should now be 2 minutes. Which is basically a one page, double spaced, typed page of narration.  The main reason behind this change is the size of the files.  www.Dropbox.com was recommended as a way to share our video files.

During the first two weeks, we will be collaborating with one person in our section. During weeks 3-5, we will be forming groups of up to five students for collaboration and completion of our Public Service Announcement.  Google docs were recommended as an excellent way to collaborate online, with each user typing in a different color.  All members of the group must contribute and be an active part of the project. I'm excited and nervous about getting started. Working with a partner online is going to be very different than working with someone sitting next to you.  We'll need to make use of several online tools, such as www.google.docs.com, www.dropbox.com, as well as texts and email.

EDLD 5301: Week 5 Reflections

As I reflect on the assignments and projects that were part of EDLD 5301, I realize how much I have learned about Action Research planning.  As we began the course, I was unsure about action research and didn't know where to begin.  With the advice of my mentor, I gradually began to formulate a plan for my action research. Reading classroom materials, participating on the discussion board, and watching the weekly videos also helped to clarify my action research process.  As this course ends, I am confident that I have an action research plan that will provide positive results for my classroom and campus.

EDLD 5301 - Week 3 Reflections

As I continue to work on my action research plan, I am making changes to narrow down and really focus on one issue instead of having a broad subject.  I'm anticipating that my results will show that ipod use in the classroom is beneficial, and we can expand the program to other grade levels on our campus.  I have also enjoyed reading other action plans, and am looking forward to following their action research as well. 

Draft Action Research Plan - Week 3 EDLD 5301

Action Planning Template

Goal:  To determine how ipods can be used in a third grade classroom to increase student performance rates in Math.

                       

                                     Person               Timeline:                Needed     

Action Step(s)          Responsible          Start/End              Resources          Evaluation

1.  Create a pre and posttest Math fluency survey/assessment to use to determine individual students Math fluency.	Melanie Starnes Third Grade Team Principal	November 2011	C-scope Aware Internet Resources Math TEKS	n/a
2. Administer a pre-test Math fluency survey/assessment to the 4 third grade classrooms at Davis Elementary (approximately 88 students).  This survey/assessment will include questions aligned to TEKS.	Melanie Starnes Third grade team	November 2011	Pre-test survey/Assessment	Ensure that I have sufficient data before beginning student use of Math apps on ipods.
3. Begin use of selected Math fluency apps with students in my two math classrooms.  These apps will be used daily, by approx. 44 students.	Melanie Starnes Students	November 2011 December 2011 January 2012	Ipods Math apps	Monitor student use of ipods in classroom.
4.  Literature Review	Melanie Starnes Carol Campbell	November 2011- January 2012	Internet Literature	Review current literature and data regarding use of ipods in elementary classrooms in other similar districts.
5. Administer a post-test Math fluency survey/assessment to the 4 third grade classrooms at Davis Elementary (approximately 88 students).  This survey/assessment will include questions aligned to TEKS	Melanie Starnes Third Grade Team	January 2012	Posttest survey/assessment
6.  Compile all completed data and research into an action research plan presentation.	Melanie Starnes Carol Campbell	January/February 2012	Pre-test data Post-test data Literature data Ipod monitoring data	Using pre and post test data, determine if ipod application use by students increased their fluency rates in Math.

EDLD 5301 - Week 2 Reflections

As I listened to the videos of leaders in Texas, and how they use action research, it helped to clarify pieces of the action research process. One of the suggestions made by Dr. Kirk continues to influence my choices when looking at my action research plan. That suggestion is to make sure the plan is practical and relevant. As I narrow down my research plan, I am trying to make sure that the end result is research and data that is beneficial to my classroom and my campus.

EDLD 5301: How can Educational Leaders Use Blogs?

There are many ways in which Educational Leaders can use blogs. Superintendents can use them to share information with district principals, district teachers, and parents. Principals can use blogs to share information with campus staff, such as upcoming events, links to relevant websites, and campus news. Teachers can use them to stay connected with their parents and other teachers. Blogs provide a way for various groups to stay connected, share information and provide feedback, and eliminates the need to schedule meetings.

EDLD 5301 Action Research - Week 1

Action research is exactly what it's name implies, taking action and gathering information and research about a defined problem. As I've read our selections this week, I've learned that action research is an continuing, ongoing process. It is not something that you can just do once and then leave it alone. You will need to monitor and update the project based on the data and information gathered. Using action research also allows us to gather information that is relevant to our individual campus and team. By researching and gathering data about our campus, we are able to make changes that will allow our students and staff to grow in the right direction.

I'm looking forward to using action research as we begin to incorporate more technology into our classrooms, and use the research and information to monitor the positive and negative aspects of this change. Time will be a major challenge, as we struggle to actually find time to not only learn how to use the technology, but manage to incorporate it into our lessons and daily activities. I think we will definitely see many benefits of our students using various types of technology daily. I know our students will be excited about the new technology and will embrace the change that it brings to our campus.