Sunday, September 14, 2008
Action Research
Well I have a few hours today to do homework and I'm struggling with this project. I'm working on student blogging at the elementary level and writing improvement. Everything I find is for higher education or it is a list of ideas on how to use a blog. There is very little action research on this topic. I'm trying to figure out whether to study the blogs for best practices and then interview the teachers in a more open sense or have the teachers identify in their interviews why they think their blogs are improving writing. I don't want to be restrictive, but I do want good data. I'm thinking about interviewing two teachers and about 5 students from each of their classes. It would be interesting to know what the students think about the blogging practice. I don't know I need to read and think more. I'm always running out of time. It is hard having a family, job, and this full time school thing going. I feel tired always because I'm up late always and I always feel behind. I think I just have to chalk today down as frustrating. Now--back to work.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Week 3
Well I'm going into week three and I'm getting stressed about the mini action research project. I know how to do it I believe. I just think that that I may be stressed for time to get it done. It is also kind of loose still with regard to development so that makes me feel out of control. My tiny outline is below:
Action Research Proposal
What are the impacts of student blogging on improving student writing at the elementary level?
Qualitative Data Collection
Interview of two teachers that have embraced blogging as an instructional tool with their class to capture their perceptions of blogging and its role in improving student writing.
Interview of 5-10 students per class to gather data regarding their attitudes toward blogging and their level of engagement with regard to writing.
Research Questions:
What are the main purposes of a the classroom blogs?
What aspects of blogging do teachers feel contribute to improving student writing?
What evidence does the teacher have that indicates blogging is a successful instructional tool?
What are the attitudes of the students with regard to the classroom blog?
Have
The Context:
A multiage classroom of 2nd and 3rd grade and a 4th grade classroom
District has 6% free and reduced lunch rate and a low percentage of ELL students
96% of students have computers at home with access to the Internet. All school computers have access to the Internet.
I'm sure I'll change it 50 more times, but it is a start and I still have a few months left to finish.
We have also been talking about power. We read the article Subject and Power by Michael Foucault. I found it somewhat challenging to read as it is very philosophical and circular. However here is my muse as a result:
How can we manage power when the continuum of evil power and good power is based so heavily on subjective perceptions of the context in which it occurs?
This question resonates with me with regard to the current climate of immigration and Sherrif Joe. It is how power has gone arwy in light of the current anti-terriorism climate. The sad part is anti terriorism in this context is just a screen as the focus is solely on Mexicans and in my mind racially motivated. It is a hate crime committed by elected officialls and wrongfully supported in the name of securing borders. Why wasn't I stopped in the current roundup I witnessed. I could be an illegal Canadian, but it looks like only the Mexicans get caught in Arizona. So, Canadians, English, Scottish, or whoever else--come one come all as long as you look white.
Action Research Proposal
What are the impacts of student blogging on improving student writing at the elementary level?
Qualitative Data Collection
Interview of two teachers that have embraced blogging as an instructional tool with their class to capture their perceptions of blogging and its role in improving student writing.
Interview of 5-10 students per class to gather data regarding their attitudes toward blogging and their level of engagement with regard to writing.
Research Questions:
What are the main purposes of a the classroom blogs?
What aspects of blogging do teachers feel contribute to improving student writing?
What evidence does the teacher have that indicates blogging is a successful instructional tool?
What are the attitudes of the students with regard to the classroom blog?
Have
The Context:
A multiage classroom of 2nd and 3rd grade and a 4th grade classroom
District has 6% free and reduced lunch rate and a low percentage of ELL students
96% of students have computers at home with access to the Internet. All school computers have access to the Internet.
I'm sure I'll change it 50 more times, but it is a start and I still have a few months left to finish.
We have also been talking about power. We read the article Subject and Power by Michael Foucault. I found it somewhat challenging to read as it is very philosophical and circular. However here is my muse as a result:
How can we manage power when the continuum of evil power and good power is based so heavily on subjective perceptions of the context in which it occurs?
This question resonates with me with regard to the current climate of immigration and Sherrif Joe. It is how power has gone arwy in light of the current anti-terriorism climate. The sad part is anti terriorism in this context is just a screen as the focus is solely on Mexicans and in my mind racially motivated. It is a hate crime committed by elected officialls and wrongfully supported in the name of securing borders. Why wasn't I stopped in the current roundup I witnessed. I could be an illegal Canadian, but it looks like only the Mexicans get caught in Arizona. So, Canadians, English, Scottish, or whoever else--come one come all as long as you look white.
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Fall Semester
Well class started again. I have completed one week and a little. I'm again shocked at how hard it is to get back into the groove of school. One class is called Dynamic Contexts of Education and the other is special topics. Four instructors teach both classes that sort of just run into each other. It is very interesting and I find the whole experience to be engaging. There are many amazing people in the class. I know I will be able to complete the program and I do feel 'smart' if that is the right word. However sometimes I feel a bit inadequate among them all. I also cannot devote as much time as necessary to the whole process. It is really hard with the kids, work etc. Where I don't think it will get any easier, I think I will eventually get myself organized and create a system where homework is not so hard to fit in. That is my hope particularly if I intend to finish.
My action research for this semester is blogging and student writing. I am trying to do something with technology and engagement, but I'm not sure my passion is the blogging part. I've thought about changing it, but I should probably just buckle down and get going. I don't know. I'll think a bit more today and then hopefully have a good enough plan to elaborate my original outline a bit more or change it up completely.
My action research for this semester is blogging and student writing. I am trying to do something with technology and engagement, but I'm not sure my passion is the blogging part. I've thought about changing it, but I should probably just buckle down and get going. I don't know. I'll think a bit more today and then hopefully have a good enough plan to elaborate my original outline a bit more or change it up completely.
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