This morning, Nov 10th, I was at UW-Stout, bright and early, to present my preliminary oral defense for my thesis/research field study proposal. This is a 6-credit course as the last requirement for my research project for education specialist degree (a step above the masters degree).
Despite feeling less than prepared, or should I say overprepared, I passed the oral portion and was very much encouraged by the feedback from my committee members to help strengthen my study by focusing on a particular purpose.
Feeling less than prepared is part of my detail oriented style and Type A personality :-) I actually had more data than I needed and will need to work to condense my actual study, so better than needing more research! Can you image that I actually had enough data for 7 (seven)different studies and my committee members had to smile and offered great feedback to condense my focus on the graduates perceived level of preparedness with correlation to their RN predictor scores and NCLEX pass rates.
Just sharing my morning and self achievement . . . basically to relieve that feeling of anxiety . . . . . . . . . . . . now I can breathe and relax and bit . . . . . then I need to get to work on those revisions so I can finalize my research tool in which to collect my data! Jeanne
Monday, November 10, 2008
Module Eight - Final Project Discussions
As we start module eight for finalizing our projects; the wide range and wealth of ideas from the class is certainly stimulating. When I see all the ways that a variety of learning needs can met with the various tools, it is indeed exciting. I'm looking at submitting both of my online courses for the 'seal of approval' for Quality Matters. This is a testament to a quality online course that have met all the criteria that are established in the educational arena for higher end learning in the virtual world.
I am impressed with the ideas for how various assessment tools can be applied in the online classroom. As time allows, mostly likely after this course has been completed, it will allow me to evaluate at greater depth these tools and 'practice' using some of the sites such as Google Docs, Web2.0, voice thread, audacity, podcasting, Zoho, etc. Right now, it almost a little overwhelming with all the options. I will need time to assess and evaluate what types of activities will best 'fit' the tool. My plan is to start with the backward design and look my overall course competencies, the specific learning objectives and then build the activity. As I said, I'm very impressed with the use of 'jigsaw' and how we can all learn in a collaborative fashion :-) Jeanne
Addendum on 11/13/08: With all the variety of assessment tools, I'm passing along some advice to not implement too many of them all at the same time. From experience, add slowly and allow yourself to evaluate the process and effectiveness of the tool. Sometimes just 'swapping' out two tools can make a real difference. Another thing to consider is the 'design' of the activity or how the course is laid out. It may take some 'tweaking' and trial and error; as least that was my experience as I started from scratch without taking any e-learning courses. This just helps to validate what I have been doing.
I've tried to attach my word document for my final project, but it appears with blogger that I need to make a URL link in order to do this . . . . . so I refer you the class discussion forum. Thanks for listening. Jeanne
I am impressed with the ideas for how various assessment tools can be applied in the online classroom. As time allows, mostly likely after this course has been completed, it will allow me to evaluate at greater depth these tools and 'practice' using some of the sites such as Google Docs, Web2.0, voice thread, audacity, podcasting, Zoho, etc. Right now, it almost a little overwhelming with all the options. I will need time to assess and evaluate what types of activities will best 'fit' the tool. My plan is to start with the backward design and look my overall course competencies, the specific learning objectives and then build the activity. As I said, I'm very impressed with the use of 'jigsaw' and how we can all learn in a collaborative fashion :-) Jeanne
Addendum on 11/13/08: With all the variety of assessment tools, I'm passing along some advice to not implement too many of them all at the same time. From experience, add slowly and allow yourself to evaluate the process and effectiveness of the tool. Sometimes just 'swapping' out two tools can make a real difference. Another thing to consider is the 'design' of the activity or how the course is laid out. It may take some 'tweaking' and trial and error; as least that was my experience as I started from scratch without taking any e-learning courses. This just helps to validate what I have been doing.
I've tried to attach my word document for my final project, but it appears with blogger that I need to make a URL link in order to do this . . . . . so I refer you the class discussion forum. Thanks for listening. Jeanne
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Module Seven - Final Project Update
After the live meeting today regarding our final project, I evaluated my own final project and came to a conclusion of my strengths and areas of growth yet.
Things that need improving or 'growth'
1. add the type of course management system I am using
2. add more specific data about my student population
3. tweak up how my learning objectives will be authentic -- ie apply to real life work scenario
4. add more information regarding diversity
5. add more information regarding plagiarism
6. tweak up the conclusion
Things that are looking great at this point
1. description of my course
2. final outcome objectives for the course (semester end competencies)
3. learning objectives (picked 4 different activities throughout the course and included one objective for each level of Bloom's taxonomy)
4. good introduction
5. have met the basic requirements in the rubric
5. have a solid foundation for each of the four assessment tools
Things that need improving or 'growth'
1. add the type of course management system I am using
2. add more specific data about my student population
3. tweak up how my learning objectives will be authentic -- ie apply to real life work scenario
4. add more information regarding diversity
5. add more information regarding plagiarism
6. tweak up the conclusion
Things that are looking great at this point
1. description of my course
2. final outcome objectives for the course (semester end competencies)
3. learning objectives (picked 4 different activities throughout the course and included one objective for each level of Bloom's taxonomy)
4. good introduction
5. have met the basic requirements in the rubric
5. have a solid foundation for each of the four assessment tools
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