EDLD 5366 Reflection

Reflection for EDLD 5366 By Brandi Murrey The knowledge that I feel I gained from this collaborative group assignment will assist me in working with other groups in the future. In this class my group had to change some and I was concerned about that since my other group had worked together very well. Even though I was reluctant we were very successful in completing our task. In the past, I felt that I needed to keep the ball rolling to make sure the assignment was completed. I would take on additional pieces of the assignment, more than some other members, to ensure completion of the assignment. During this assignment, I relaxed and pick the element that I wanted to focus on. I did offer up help if needed. The other group members took the elements that they wanted to focus on, and my stress level was lessened for this assignment. I was able to focus on the tasks at hand for myself and let other members complete their roles without me stressing over them. I offered my services to anyone that needed me to step in and assist them with their design element, little did I know that this group was very efficient in their design. I also found that I was not the only one that had additional knowledge within this group. In other collaborative groups, I have felt that I needed to support the entire group with the use of technology. Within this group, I felt that we all had the basic knowledge of technology to be successful with our task at hand. We found ourselves relying on one another when struggling with a task. We would ask each other questions about areas they may have been stronger in, which in turn made us a successful group. The work we completed was most definitely a group effort. There was great collaboration between the whole group. I will use the information that I gained from this group project to engage others in the collaborative groups that I work with, to discover new information that they have acquired, and use this information to increase my knowledge base. I will use websites in my classroom to assist me as I teach my students. I will be attempting to incorporate My Big Campus in to my classroom this year. I have observed this concept in my husband’s fourth grade classroom and would like to take and adapt it for my first graders. I want my students to have the same experiences no matter the grade level. I will use different websites for my students to access information as we explore Science and Social Studies through technology. I have discussed the use of websites with my peers at my campus. I have shared my ideas for the use of websites as a teaching tool, as well as how I plan on changing the way information is given and received in my classroom this year. I will also be sharing different technology tools that I use in my classroom at faculty meetings this school year to assist other educators in embracing teaching in a digital world.

EDLD 5363 Web Conference Reflection

Web Conference 12-8, 12-16, 12-17 The web conference on 12-8 was very informative about the different ways groups were communicating. Some forms used were Drop box, email and Google docs. Although I do not usually ask many questions listening to others and reading their questions is a great way for me to process what needs to be done. The web conference on 12-16 was used to discuss final days of project. Dr.Abernathy explained that we were not to have submitted anything for week 4 all was to be submitted in week 5. She also explained that there was to be no still pictures in your videos. We discussed making sure that we had one script for our video. She stated that all was due on the 21st because IA's had to get their grades in by Monday, but if we needed extra time to let her know because she could still grade our project. This put my mind at ease somewhat. The web conference on 12-17 was used to discuss the final countdown. Dr.Abernathy clarified any questions that anyone had concerning the project. she discussed what our next class would be when we return in January. She double checked to make sure we had a field supervisor and discussed our updates on our final assignment for week 5. Although I truly enjoyed making the video , this was a very challenging class for me. I am thankful for my great group and look forward to working with them again.

EDLD 5363 Video Project

What's the Matter?

Digital Personal Story

Week 5 Reflection

As I began this course, I was not sure as to what educational research entailed.    I did not realize the depth and steps involved in action research planning.  Choosing a topic to research was a small change.  I was not sure which avenue I wanted to explore.  Researching the use of technology in some type of setting was what I kept being drawn back to. Time and time again I see students struggling to comprehend what they have read. This is what led me to the Action Research plan that I have in place. In the end, my passion for the students that struggle in school won out.     

As I completed each week’s assignment, there were moments in which I felt the lessons were redundant.  Looking back, I can see how it reinforced all of the steps and thought processes needed to fine tune a well-crafted research plan.  Each week allowed me to focus on the plan as a whole, and also break down the steps and concentrate on the small pieces. 

I thoroughly enjoyed reading other ideas and research plans on the discussion board and on student blogs.  There are so many great ideas, and I definitely will be following my colleagues’ research.  I am looking forward to seeing results, and using the knowledge learned from my colleagues’ research in my classroom.

The reading material was very useful during this course.  I loved having the templates and tools that were provided.  They not only helped with weekly assignments, but will also assist me during future steps in the research process.  I will be referring back to these resources while conducting my action research plan and will use during other projects/research as well.

I think one of the most informative lectures of this course were the videos of leaders discussing action research. Listening to them describe the process, the steps involved, and important things to remember brought the importance of action research. They are great leaders because of their dedication to finding the answers to the issues.  This means that they must examine very detailed, concise information, and not make quick judgments and decisions that are not supported by research.

I have increased my ability to produce a data driven, research based plan after completing this course.  It has also given me confidence to consider other action research plans, and to appreciate the thought process and time involved in making decisions.  Action research is a process that is necessary in making the choices in education.  It can also provide data that will change the entire direction of your plan.  I’m looking forward to developing my action research plan, conducting research, collecting data, and finalizing the results.

A Few Revisions

Action Research Plan
Goal: To provide first grade students of low socioeconomic status the skills- tools needed to improve comprehension including but not limited to technology.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
1.Identify students with low socioeconomic backgrounds to assist in research project	Brandi Murrey Angelee Morales	August 2012-May 2013	School documentation for free or reduced lunches Classroom teacher from previous year.	Use the information from the school to determine students who are low SES. Meet with their Kinder teachers to discuss previous year.
2. Obtain previous DRA test.	Brandi Murrey Previous Teacher	August 2012- May 2013	Previous teacher documentation in student’s cumulative file. Kinder Teacher	Use the information to determine struggles with comprehension.
3. Determine student’s level of vocabulary.	Brandi Murrey Student	August 2012-May 2013	Small group setting using sight word activities.	Enhance vocabulary use and the student’s ability to deliver what they learned from the story.
4.  Obtain knowledge of student’s phonological awareness.	Brandi Murrey Student	August 2012- May 2013	Small Group Computer	Enhance student’s phonological awareness to allow them to read more fluently. Reading programs on the computer that monitor progress.

Action Planning Template
Goal: To provide first grade students of low socioeconomic status the skills- tools needed to improve comprehension including but not limited to technology.
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
5. Determine if student has any short or long time memory deficiencies.	Brandi Murrey	August 2012- May 2013	Skills to increase short and long term memory. Mimio	Retelling of information read, sequence activities or putting to use what was read. Activities for MImio that increase comprehehnsion.
6. Evaluate the outcome of reading instruction.	Brandi Murrey Student	August 2012-May 2013	Small Group DRA leveled readers. Stories on Ipods	Evaluate using rubrics, test, sequence activities or retelling.
7.  Obtain DRA scores and story test every two weeks.	Brandi Murrey Student	August 2012- May 2013	Small Group Leveled Readers	Compare current DRA data with beginning DRA data to determine growth.
8. Compile all data into the Action Research Plan and present an informal presentation.	Brandi Murrey Angelee Morales	August 2012-May 2013	Baseline Data Midyear Data End of Year Data	Using all data collected to determine if skills taught helped low se students improve comprehension.

Format based on Tool 7.1 from Examining What We Do to Improve Our Schools

(Harris, Edmonson, and Combs, 2010)

Week 3

I am very excited to have a plan in place. I am looking froward to getting back to school so that I may begin my research.