This week involved some practice calculating and describing data from a statistical standpoint. The Group worksheet illustrated the importance of looking at sets of data from multiple perspectives in order to obtain the whole story. While two sets of data may have the same Mean, a look at other statistical viewpoints such as Mode, Standard Deviation and Range could provide more details to make a better informed comparison.
My group worked on developing a survey and decided to take a lighter approach in terms of subject-matter. We hope that by selecting a topic that a larger audience can relate to will increase participation, make it less of a task and more fun for thosse who do take the time to fill it out. We decided to use Google Forms to create the survey because it is easy to share and work collaboratively.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
CEdO540 Week 2
This week we learned some new statistics terms, checked out http://www.capterra.com/ to help identify survey software solutions, and compared several survey tools.
I like the Capterra website--I think it is a great tool to assist in the search for the right software solutions for an organization. There are tons of features by which you can filter to narrow down exactly what it is you are looking for and how much you are willing and able to spend. I can see going back to this site for future software solution needs.
As far as the statistics go, I am continuing to feel a little foggy. I understand the basic concepts of mean, median and mode, but get confused as I look at standard deviation, variances, etc. I hope we get a little more information and practice with these terms in ways I can relate to in order to gain more of an understanding of what they are all about and how I can apply it in my work. I really want to get this, and during class I think I'm almost there, but by the time I get back to it I am once again confused! :-/
I like the Capterra website--I think it is a great tool to assist in the search for the right software solutions for an organization. There are tons of features by which you can filter to narrow down exactly what it is you are looking for and how much you are willing and able to spend. I can see going back to this site for future software solution needs.
As far as the statistics go, I am continuing to feel a little foggy. I understand the basic concepts of mean, median and mode, but get confused as I look at standard deviation, variances, etc. I hope we get a little more information and practice with these terms in ways I can relate to in order to gain more of an understanding of what they are all about and how I can apply it in my work. I really want to get this, and during class I think I'm almost there, but by the time I get back to it I am once again confused! :-/
Sunday, June 26, 2011
CEdO540 Getting started with Statistics
This week we began with an intro to statistics. We looked at the different ways to produce an "average" and the types of representations of data in a statistical study. The whole idea of statistics is somewhat intimidating to me. I've never considered myself a mathematical wizard, but I do appreciate the ability to use data to drive instruction and to provide concrete support for progress in an instructional program. I am looking forward to gaining a better understanding of statistics that will hopefully help me speak with more authority about the educational outcomes within the program I support.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
CEdO530 Week 5: Digital Storytelling
This week we put the finishing touches on our Pecha Kuchas, created rubrics to evaluate multimedia projects and evaluated multimedia hardware and software in our small groups.
I enjoyed the Pecha Kucha project and developed a new appreciation for storyboarding as part of the preparation process. Of all of the digital stories we submitted in this class, I found this one to be the easiest to put together in the final stages because of the storyboard. The system of putting to paper the images I had in mind and the words I would use to describe my story helped me to stay focused when I actually sat in front of the computer to compile my presentation. It was great and I plan to use the storyboard as a regular part of my preparation when it comes to multimedia presentations.
I like the idea of using a rubric, and while I am not a classroom teacher I think it would be useful in evaluating my own presentations as well as a tool for my staff to evaluate multimedia projects they put together for their own lessons. I am still thinking this through, so I have not put it together as of yet...
This has been a great class with a lot of new tools and techniques that I look forward to using in the work I do.
I enjoyed the Pecha Kucha project and developed a new appreciation for storyboarding as part of the preparation process. Of all of the digital stories we submitted in this class, I found this one to be the easiest to put together in the final stages because of the storyboard. The system of putting to paper the images I had in mind and the words I would use to describe my story helped me to stay focused when I actually sat in front of the computer to compile my presentation. It was great and I plan to use the storyboard as a regular part of my preparation when it comes to multimedia presentations.
I like the idea of using a rubric, and while I am not a classroom teacher I think it would be useful in evaluating my own presentations as well as a tool for my staff to evaluate multimedia projects they put together for their own lessons. I am still thinking this through, so I have not put it together as of yet...
This has been a great class with a lot of new tools and techniques that I look forward to using in the work I do.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
CEdO530 Week 4
This week's work really focused on pulling it all together.
One of our tasks this week was to create a Prezi of our top six pictures. I enjoyed using Prezi--I think it is a great alternative to using Power Point and the novelty of how the images and words move in and out of view is a useful way to hook the audience. I found Prezi to be pretty user-friendly and I liked how everything is all laid out on one screen, which makes it easier to get the big picture and see how it all connects.
Presentation Zen wrapped up with the "Delivery" phase of presenting, which I found interesting and reassured me that what I am doing now is on the right track; I have a lot of fine-tuning to do though. It is evident to me how important preparation is in the delivery process and it is an area I want to spend more time investing in. I really enjoyed Garr Reynold's book and plan to revisit it often as I re-evaluate training and meeting presentations I've used in the past and plan to recycle in the new school year.
The Pecha Kucha is another project that is currently looming over my head. It is one of those things I know I will enjoy once I get into it, but I'm having a bit of a block with it at the moment. I think one of my issues is the prospect of having to do voice overs, which has been a challenge for me in the previous assignments. I know I will take so much away from the experience that I can apply to what I do both professionally and personally, so I just need to jump in and do it!
One of our tasks this week was to create a Prezi of our top six pictures. I enjoyed using Prezi--I think it is a great alternative to using Power Point and the novelty of how the images and words move in and out of view is a useful way to hook the audience. I found Prezi to be pretty user-friendly and I liked how everything is all laid out on one screen, which makes it easier to get the big picture and see how it all connects.
Presentation Zen wrapped up with the "Delivery" phase of presenting, which I found interesting and reassured me that what I am doing now is on the right track; I have a lot of fine-tuning to do though. It is evident to me how important preparation is in the delivery process and it is an area I want to spend more time investing in. I really enjoyed Garr Reynold's book and plan to revisit it often as I re-evaluate training and meeting presentations I've used in the past and plan to recycle in the new school year.
The Pecha Kucha is another project that is currently looming over my head. It is one of those things I know I will enjoy once I get into it, but I'm having a bit of a block with it at the moment. I think one of my issues is the prospect of having to do voice overs, which has been a challenge for me in the previous assignments. I know I will take so much away from the experience that I can apply to what I do both professionally and personally, so I just need to jump in and do it!
Sunday, May 22, 2011
CEdO530 Week 3
This week's lessons included an introduction to Animoto, another tool that can be used to create digital stories. I am excited to work with this application because I think it could add a lot to the work I do, especially as I work toward digitizing parts of the company training process.
Presentation Zen addressed Design Principles and Techniques, which I found to be extremely valuable. I like the way the book shows examples of original slides alongside final products with recommendations of how to apply the principles introduced. While I think I've used some of the principles throughout my presentations, I realize I have applied them inconsistently and without a strong understanding of how to fine tune my final products. I come from the old school presentation framework of bulleted lists, which I have known for sometime haven't been as effective as I would like; but I wasn't sure what I could do to change things up and still provide the information. I look forward to learning how to get away from those bullet points and provide a thought provoking "sticky" presentation that is as enjoyable as it is informational.
Overall, I enjoy the content of what we are learning--I am extremely overwhelmed by the amount of work and the amount of time I am having to spend getting it done. I know it is time well spent, but for the first time in my master's program I feel like I might not be able to keep up. Anyone else out there finding themselves in the same boat? I will continue to hang in there...
Presentation Zen addressed Design Principles and Techniques, which I found to be extremely valuable. I like the way the book shows examples of original slides alongside final products with recommendations of how to apply the principles introduced. While I think I've used some of the principles throughout my presentations, I realize I have applied them inconsistently and without a strong understanding of how to fine tune my final products. I come from the old school presentation framework of bulleted lists, which I have known for sometime haven't been as effective as I would like; but I wasn't sure what I could do to change things up and still provide the information. I look forward to learning how to get away from those bullet points and provide a thought provoking "sticky" presentation that is as enjoyable as it is informational.
Overall, I enjoy the content of what we are learning--I am extremely overwhelmed by the amount of work and the amount of time I am having to spend getting it done. I know it is time well spent, but for the first time in my master's program I feel like I might not be able to keep up. Anyone else out there finding themselves in the same boat? I will continue to hang in there...
Sunday, May 15, 2011
CEdO530 Week 2
This week of Digital Storytelling introduced us to VoiceThread , which is an online tool to facilitate commentary on presentations, including the ability to record voice commentary that could be used to narrate the information on the slides. I am interested in getting a lot of practice with this tool, as I see it having a lot of potential for the work I do with new staff members. Much of the beginning training process is covering the basics: About the company, roles and responsibilities, HR information, etc. The ability to create an introductory module to the training process in order to share this information through something like VoiceThread could not only improve the consistency of the message people are receiving, but would also cut down on the time I am taken out of daily work tasks to deliver this as people are hired throughout the year. Using VoiceThread would not eliminate the need for me or one of the supervisors to meet with new employees for orientation, as I believe that face time is important to making new hires feel welcome and to get them off to a good start; but consistency can be a challenge, and can be impacted by multiple factors (tight schedules, environment, person delivering the training, etc.)...a tool like this would serve well to eliminate the variables and ensure all receive the same message.
If I were teaching in a classroom, I could see using VoiceThread as a way to share samples of student work with families and a vehicle for students to receive feedback from a broader audience. This would certainly take some careful monitoring, and would depend on school/district policies about the use of this type of technology, but it has great potential. Students could also use a tool like VoiceThread to present culminating projects for their coursework: they could even start in a more familiar application such as Power Point and then upload and use VoiceThread to add the finishing touches.
Once again, I am looking forward to learning more about this new tool and I can't wait to try it out as I continue to update and improve training materials and techniques at work!
If I were teaching in a classroom, I could see using VoiceThread as a way to share samples of student work with families and a vehicle for students to receive feedback from a broader audience. This would certainly take some careful monitoring, and would depend on school/district policies about the use of this type of technology, but it has great potential. Students could also use a tool like VoiceThread to present culminating projects for their coursework: they could even start in a more familiar application such as Power Point and then upload and use VoiceThread to add the finishing touches.
Once again, I am looking forward to learning more about this new tool and I can't wait to try it out as I continue to update and improve training materials and techniques at work!
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