Capstone Week 3

This week was spent finalizing the rest of my intervention. I spent 3-4 hours adding to and improving my Evernote index cards based on the ideas gathered in my formative evaluation. The two main improvements that I needed to make were to create more clear organization and to add a "check" component to the applicable cards.

As you can see in the screenshot above, I "bolded" the example heading and added a "check" component (which is also bolded). Everyone probably recalls their math teachers telling them to "go back and check your work." I remember hearing this after a test and simply going back to be sure I'd answered each question. This additional component to my index cards will remind the students HOW to check each problem... now if only I could find a way to be sure they actually did! 
  

Capstone Week 2

This week was spent asking coworkers (fellow math teachers) to take a look at my intervention as part of my formative evaluation. I showed the teachers the Evernote app and digital index cards that had already been created. The response was positive. The teachers only had a few suggestions (which I agreed with and I will implement).

A few of the teachers had questions about how I was implementing the intervention and how they might be able to use the same concept in their classes. It's a pretty simple process, as long as the teacher has the tools necessary: an apple tv and ipad (or even just a computer and projector). I look forward to seeing the idea catching on in others classrooms in the future!

Capstone Week 1

This week was spent making screen shots of the digital index cards that my students have been creating using the app Evernote.

I also spent some time writing up a description of how each index card is set-up and how each is saved/labeled to be organized within the app.

Onward we go...

Research Week 9

This past week was spent writing Chapter 3- Methods and Procedures. I spent about 3 hours constructing my methods and procedures, as well as the project timeline. Writing this chapter helped me nail down exactly what needs to be done and when each task needs to happen. The project timeline is a helpful tool for making sure the project is on track throughout the time "off" between semesters. It is very clear what needs to happen before we start the second part of the Capstone!

I also took about 30 minutes to reflect on my needs analysis findings. I added a paragraph to this section about why my intervention is necessary and how it will improve student learning.

Now I wait for feedback and then I can start putting it all together! The end (of the semester) is near!

Research Weeks 7 and 8

Wow, the semester is flying by! The 8 days I spent in Puerto Rico definitely helped speed it along, though!

The Cliffs at Cabo Rojo

My last post addressed all of the assignments due before the November break- including the goals and objectives part of the proposal. I worked on that section for about an hour before sending it off to Amy for approval.

After I returned from the break, I got to work on Chapter 4- Evaluation tools. I spent about 5 hours working on my tools. I found it helpful to print a copy of my goals and objectives and take the time to address how I planned to evaluate each one. I came up with three tools: another student survey, the second attempt at the S.G.O., and an observation of note taking which will be scored using a rubric. Once I nailed these tools down, writing the chapter was much easier. I submitted the paper on Wednesday evening and then left for the overnight Washington D.C. trip bright (4 am is not exactly "bright") and early on Thursday morning.

Now I'm working on Chapter 3 and starting to get all the pieces together for my final proposal!

Research Week 6

Boy, have I been busy! 

I spent this past week working on revising my literature review. Luckily Amy only gave me minor suggestions for improving my paper. I nailed down (I hope) the way I'm going to refer to the index cards throughout my Capstone (web-based index cards). I added some performance statistics to some of the sections as well. As much as I wish my first copy was perfect, I really appreciate the feedback Amy gives us on each assignment. I feel like my research project is going to be great once I'm done with it, because of her help.

From there I moved on to my learner and context analysis. I spent about an hour putting the information about my students into writing. It really made me think about my classes that I'll be using in this study. I looked into the male to female ratio, the test scores, and teacher recommendations of my students. I also spent some time really thinking about the context that the index cards would be created in. I discussed the wireless accessibility of the classroom. 

Today, I spent a lot time finishing up my "Needs Analysis Findings." I performed each of the items earlier in the month, and each time I received results, I filed them away in a nice safe place (without looking at them much). This past weekend I started analyzing the actual responses/scores, so that I would be able to report them today. I really enjoyed this part of the paper. Reading my students responses to the survey was most interesting. I knew I had one student without internet at home, but I never thought to ask the other students just how they were getting online. Some use laptops/desktops, some use cell phones, some use tablets, etc. I spent about 4 hours today writing the analysis before submitting the draft.

Now, I'm onto my goals and objectives. I'd really like to finish these up today. I've got some packing to do- my husband and I (and 6 of our friends) are off to Puerto Rico on Friday night! 

Oh and did I mention...

That's right, I've joined the ranks of the Wrights and the Eikers- My husband and I are expecting in May! :)

  

Research Week 5

So this week has been entirely about the Lit Review. I spent about two hours each day last week researching each of the topics I mentioned in my blog post last week.

Then I looked at the requirements again, and noticed that I was completely ignoring the part about "learning theory." The dreaded learning theory. So I spent another two hours Saturday researching "Cognitive Constructivism" (vs. social constructivism). This actually made things a lot easier. It did a great job of explaining the "cumulative learning" theory Gagne discussed in the paper from the 60's that I had been using. More recent sources, jackpot!

I also spent an hour on Saturday creating an outline for my literature review and getting the heading in place, copying my reference list over and getting things set up for Sunday

All day Sunday was dedicated to organizing my information and writing about each topic. I started out by writing my introduction. That took a lot more time than expected. It was tough putting all of my ideas together into one main thought. I also changed some of the titles of the topics I mentioned last week. Instead of "ePortfolios," I talked about "digital note taking." I found through my research that digital note taking and digital curation were much more appropriate names for what my students would be doing.

I also included a section on "mobile devices in the classroom," or "BYOD."

I'm not quite finished my literature review, I still need to write up the section on "self-regulation of studying in middle school math." That will be my job tonight.

Boy is research tough!