NAEP Results 2011

This assignment required us to access the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES) website.  The NCES is the primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education.  From there we were to download a spreadsheet from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), which is the largest national representative of what students know and are able to do.  They collect data by breaking the nation up into regions.  Each year they randomly select school and a certain number of students from those schools to test in a range of subjects from art, math, English, science, etc.  Once all their information is compiled they develop state and national averages. Using the spreadsheet from NAEP we were to develop a scatter chart to demonstrate where states fall against the national average. As we all know by now, WV isn't doing so hot.

Then, we were to conduct a t-test to determine if boys were smarter than girls, which they are not.

This assignment falls under ISTE NETS T standard 5 because it is a continuation of our ability to grow and learn as professionals from the evaluation of current research.

YouTube....again

So I received a nice email from a guy who wasn't very enthused that I had used his video for my YouTube assignment.  I didn't really want to upset the whole balance of this guy's YouTube world so I apologize, deleted said video, and uploaded this gem.  Enjoy the holidays everyone!

Appropriating a YouTube Video

This assignment asked us to create a YouTube account, download a video from YouTube onto our computer, and then upload that same video to our YouTube account.  Step one of this assignment was a walk in the park, but that's only because I've had a YouTube account for a few years.  However, it's still quite simple to create a YouTube account.  You simply go to this page, which looks like the page in the image below, and fill out all of the necessary info.  Next thing you know, you've got yerself a brand spankin' new YouTube account.

I used RealPlayer to access and download the video I wanted to later upload.  Once I had the video saved to my computer I simply uploaded it on YouTube and copied the URL which I have pasted here for your viewing pleasure.  The video I chose is of the best laugh I've heard come out of a kid in ages.  I was having a cruddy day when I stumbled on this gem and it made me forget my nonsense for a few minutes.  

APA Writing

This assignment seemed a little hairy at first glance, but once I got crackin' on it I realized it wasn't as bad as I thought.  We were asked to formulate two research questions and write up an APA formatted document. We were given some examples that were pretty extensive but our documents were condensed into just the methods, results, and reference sections.  My document can be found here in Google Docs.

This assignment falls under ISTE NETS T standards 3 and 5 as it models digital age work and learning, as well as engages in professional growth.  This assignment enable us to analyze, interpret, and communicate relevant information to our classmates using a format that can be easily understood.  Becoming familiar with the APA format we'll be able to evaluate and make reflections on one anothers' research with more insight.

Hypothesis Testing

My t tests are linked in my previous post, but I failed to mention my findings on my research question.  

Research Question

Does age affect one's Millennial score?

Hypothesis

Those who are 29 years of age or younger will have higher Millennial scores than their older classmates.

Null Hypothesis

Age will not be a factor in determining one's Millennial score.

I noticed that my classmates Millennial scores were greatly skewed, but I was more curious to see if the scores reflected whether or not they were true to the generation they said they represented.  Before performing my t-Test I sorted the age column in ascending order, had Excel find descriptive statistics on the data since age is a continuous variable (a step that wasn't necessary for this part of my t-Test), and made the 29 the high/low cut-off age for Millennial scores when performing my t-Test.  What I found was that those aged 29 and younger do, in fact, have higher Millennial scores than their older classmates as the data below indicates.

Initially I misinterpreted things and thought I had to perform descriptive statistics on my data because one of my variables was age, but I realized that the way my hypothesis was worded enabled me to work around that.  Since I had already completed the work I thought I would just go ahead and throw it out here.  I went ahead and did the descriptive stats.  Excel gave me the mean age as 32.  I performed my t-Test with 32 being my high/low cut off and found that even at that age there was a significant difference.  Those 32 and younger had higher Millennial scores as the data below shows.

                                                                      

This assignment falls under ISTE NETS T standard 3 because we each had to demonstrate knowledge of Excel and its various functions in order to analyze and interpret data.  Being fluent with such programs enables us to look at our classrooms in ways that many of us probably haven't considered before.  We're now gaining experiencing in knowing how to take down data, analyze and interpret data, and then effectively communicate how to better educate.

t tests

Here are my t test results.  I went through initially and got all sorts of whacky numbers.  I retraced my steps, watched Dr. Pierce's tutorials a few times, and finally realized I was a knucklehead who skipped a vital step.

Data Analysis

This assignment requires us to analyze the data we have been provided in the spreadsheet and come up with two research questions and hypotheses.  This assignment is sort of backwards to me.  I did the psych undergrad thing so I'm accustomed to collecting my data after devising my hypothesis, but this works just as well.

Research Question 1
Does age affect one's Millenial score?
   Hypothesis
   Those who are 29 years of age and younger will have higher Millenial scores than their older classemates.
   Null Hypothesis
   Age will not be a factor in determining one's Millenial score.
   Independent Variable                           Dependent Variable
   Age                                                         Millenial score

Research Question 2
Does a non-teaching status have a positive correlative effect on quiz scores?
    Hypothesis
    Those who are not currently teaching score higher on quiz scores.
    Null Hypothesis
    Teaching status has no correlative effect on quiz scores
    Independent Variable                          Dependent Variable
    Teaching status                                      Quiz score
   
This assignment fits ISTE NETS T standard 3 because we have analyzed this data and will now be using this information to collaborate with our peers in a digital class setting.

Excel Basics

For this assignment we were to download data compiled from the survey we took at the midterm using Excel.  From there we were to take the text values and convert them to discrete numerical values.  This enabled me to order those values in ascending and descending orders, average the lists to compare myself to my classmates, and get my "Excel legs" back.  It's been a while since I've used Excel as extensively as this. It's nice to become familiar with Excel again.  By sorting this information I'll be able to form my hypothesis and null hypothesis for the next assignment.

This assignment fits the ISTE NETS T standard 3 because it models digital age work and learning.  Excel is great if you want to analyze data.

Research Overview - The Exhilaration of Installing Analysis Toolpak

For the next few assignments we are going to be crunching some numbers in an active research within the education field using MS Excel.  I like the motivation behind this assignment.  Dr. Pierce points out that West Virginia is nearly dead last in so many categories it's sad.  To understand this better we have to look at many contributing factors to possibly recognize causal relationships.  In order to do this efficiently and effectively we had to install the Analysis ToolPak with a little help from the instructions provided in the link.  The link directs you to the Excel add-ins menu bar and from there you follow a simple series of steps to install the toolpak.

This assignment covers standard three of the ISTE NETS T standards because it models digital-age learning as we demonstrate fluency in technology by accessing the ToolPak.

Midterm Self Assessment

At the midterm I'm feeling pretty good about this class.  I'm more pressed for time than I have ever been so I'm getting assignments in a few days late and I've got to knock that off.  There's really no excuse for it.  I've also neglected my Diigo.  It's not like I don't think about posting to it, it's just that a lot of the stuff that I want to post to it don't really pertain to this class.  I have things to work on but short of my shortcomings I feel like I've learned a lot from this class.  It's challenging and fun.  Our midterm was in the form of a survey.  I think I did well.  Had a little trouble on the name part but from there it was smooth sailing......I think.

The midterm would fit ISTE NETS T standard 2 because it was the epitome of a digital age assessment.  Online surveys are a great way to determine the scope of a classes progress through course material.

PEW Millennial Test

A Millennial is the up and coming generation.  Born in 1981, I am a Millennial.  The average score for a Millennial is a 73, I scored a 94 on the test.  I took it twice cause I thought I messed something up.  This is a really interesting site.  It goes over the entire demographic of Millennials and breaks down their characteristics in terms of their connections through multimedia outlets and social networking sites.  The site also provides info on social trends, values, and political views.  There is also a full report with much more detailed information available as a PDF.  This is a site that I'll be sharing with my friends.  Until this website I hadn't seen such comprehensive data on my generation.

This assignment fits the ISTE NETS T standard 3 because it is a very relevant site with applicable information for modeling digital age work that can serve colleagues, students, and parents.  One could adapt many engaging lesson plans using this website if they were to take some time with it and read over the information available to them.

Personality Profile 2

The Jung Typology Test pegged me as a ISFP.  It was a relief to know that I can call myself as I see myself. Knowing that I'm a quick to act on impulse type of person, I recognize that I need to reign in some of those impulses at the workplace.  There are times when I get an idea to implement a project or a lesson that I've put very little planning into and then it suddenly crashes and burns.  Now that I'm co-teaching with some very well organized veteran teachers I won't have the opportunity to unleash mayhem on classrooms as I have in the past.

I'll be honest, at first I was curious why were doing this assignment.  It seemed a bit out of place, but I get it now.  Awareness of the MBTI framework and one's personality type can help professionals reflect on how their self-awareness affects their interactions with others and their overall impact on their work environment.  

This assignment fits the ISTE NETS T standard five by engaging each of us in a level of professional growth.  We used the MBTI, Keirsey Temperament Overview, and Jung Typology Test to improve as educators and continue lifelong learning. 

Personality Profile 1

For this post we were to read up on the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality inventory and the Keirsey temperament overview.  From the Myers-Briggs we were to develop a hypothetical personality temperament and then find out more about that temperament from the Keirsey overview.  

According to the Myers-Briggs, my personality type is: ISFP.  Keirsey states that this personality type is an artisan, in particular a composer.  This personality type has a solid grasp on their sense and on what belongs, or doesn't fit, in most works of art.  I feel I have a firm grasp on my senses.  They've never led me astray....yet.  I've never considered myself a composer of art.  I doodle, I play a little guitar, I sing a little diddy here and there, I write stuff that makes me and friends laugh from time to time but I keep it within the confines of my home.  The profile did state that ISFPs do keep their work out of the public eye so I suppose that makes sense.  ISFPs are caught up in the act of being and they're drawn to nature.  They do things just to do them.  Compositions aren't planned out but rather compulsory acts strait from the brain to the hand to the canvas, paper, reed, string, bow, pen, what-have-you.  That's me to a T.  I'm a compulsive, be in the moment type person.  Now that doesn't always translate into art.  There are times when I'm compelled to start walking or take a hike or explore the woods in a friends backyard.  It's just my nature.  ISFPs are also quiet and need time to themselves but are very sensitive to the needs of others.  I can relate to this trait as well.  I need my quiet time to keep myself in check and think freely, but I'm always willing to compromise that for someone in need.  I'm a sucker for taking care of people.  It also says that ISFPs have a way with young children and animals.  That caught my attention because I've always wondered what it was about me that young kids and dogs are drawn to.  I walk through a grocery store and nearly every kid riding in a cart will smile and wave to me without me even making eye contact.  Think I'm making it up?  Let's go hang out in the cereal isle.  I also have a ton of fun hanging out with my nieces and nephews when I get a chance.  As far as dogs are concerned, I understand them and they seem to get me for whatever reason. That doesn't mean they're all obedient to me.  I'm not claiming to be the next Dog Whisperer.  That Jack Russel is still going to pee all over your couch and eat your carpet when I leave but it's not going to jump on my lap while I'm there.   I think this personality overview has some aspects that fit me quite well.  I didn't really know what to think when I pulled up the Keirsey site and saw it listed under the Artisan section as Composer but I'm more of a believer after reading the full overview   

Audacity Part 2

My project is complete!  After hours of cursing LAME I realized I was the one with the deficiency.  I hit a minor hiccup and turned it into a spastic choking fit.  In reality this project was only as difficult as you made it on yourself.  I took plenty of time to work on actually piecing things together, I just didn't take the time to make sure I knew how to transition smoothly from one program to another.  Once I converted my project into Mp3 format I created a Podbean account and then uploaded my podcast.  Below is my finished podcast and snippets from my project.  Again, I found this challenging and extremely fun.

The ISTE NETS T standards that best encompass this project would be both one and three.  This project inspired those who engaged in it to be creative by manipulating others' artistic endeavors into something that was uniquely their own while learning to use a new tool.  It also enabled each and every one of us in this class to demonstrate just how effectively we are able to communicate information using digital tools in a variety of formats that many of us were not familiar with up until this point.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Audacity Part 1

This assignment has been the most challenging and the most enjoyable.  We were to create a podcast with different soundbites intermixed with our own commentary using Audacity.  I chose to create a podcast on my evolution through "musical evolution" and incorporated several different song clips and two separate interviews from artists I enjoy.  I've never had any experience with any type of software like this but once I began playing around with it I found it to be fun.  I spent a lot of time just getting lost playing around with cutting up sound bites and clipping songs.  Once we finished our project we were to download LAME in order to convert our project to an MP3 file so that we would be able to publish it.  This is where I am currently stuck.  I have been battling this program for two evenings now.  Either it doesn't want to work with me or I'm being to dense to work with it at the moment.  I've read all of the instructions, watched numerous tutorials, and read my classmates posts on the discussion boards for guidance but can't seem to get the thing to cooperate.  It's frustrating to say the least but it doesn't overshadow the enjoyment I've had completing this project.  I'm hoping to get this thing figured out before my time is up tonight and get my podcast posted.

VoiceThread

Our assignment for today was to view two of Sir Ken Robinson's lectures, Changing Education Paradigms and Schools Kill Creativity, and then comment along with our fellow classmates using a tool called VoiceThread.

VoiceThread allows a teacher, or student, to display presentations through one or more slides with accompanying audio.  Those who view the presentation may reply by leaving audio, video, or text comments within the presentation.

This program is pretty cool. You can adapt a VoiceThread to teach or illustrate ANYTHING!  Want to show someone how to change the oil in their car step by step?  Make a VoiceThread.  Well, what if they have a question?  Tell them to leave it on the VoiceThread so it can be answered.  Problem solved!  Not only can you illustrate step-by-step instruction, you can also compare and contrast or you might have an open forum discussion.  The possibilities are endless.  This program can be useful to so many departments on so many levels of so many schools and institutions it's ridiculous.  Why more people don't know about this thing is beyond me.  Needless to say, I'm a fan.  

I plan to try this out with my Civics class just see where it might take my them.  I'm going to pose a topic of discussion and then see where they go with it.  I just want more out of some of my students.  Much of our class is discussion and there are students who don't participate.  I believe that if I use this tool the won't have a choice but to participate and they might actually enjoy becoming involved.

VoiceThread fits in with ISTE NETS T standards across the board.  It inspires learning and creativity from both student and teacher.  It is definitely a digital learning and assessment tool.  There can be no argument that teachers using this tool would exhibit a professional, technologically savvy, collaborative learning environment.

Benderconverter

This is something that I've been curious about doing for some time.  I've wanted to include small clips of videos that I've seen on the web in some presentations that I've created in the past but just wasn't sure how to go about accomplishing such a task.  Problem solved.  We were first assigned to use Benderconverter to do this assignment which allows you to search the web for audio and video and then rip those files to your computer and convert then in a vast array of options.  It's fast, simple, and easy to use if you are downloading video for powerpoint.  The only problem for this assignment was that I wasn't able to upload the video from Benderconverter to Google Docs Presentation for my blog.  Instead I simply inserted the same video from Youtube using Google Docs.

I downloaded a video that my co-teacher and I showed our civics classes last week.  I'm not a fan of the original song.  Not really my cup of tea, but this is catchy, hilarious (check out Ben Franklin), and it engaged each of our classes.  Check it out here.


This assignment incorporates ISTE NETS T standards 1 and 2 because not only does it utilize technology to enhance learning, it also engages students to be creative and explore the world around them.

Jing Screencast

I used Jing to create video to display instructions on how to manipulate the tools on Picassohead.  I first went to the Picassohead website before I pulled up Jing to start recording the video.  I did this in an effort to save some time.  I then began the my video simply by showing the opening page of the Picassohead site before clicking on create.  From there I proceeded through the steps of creating one's own "head".

Of the ISTE NETS T standards, I believe both standards 4 and 5 apply to this assignment.  Using a technological tool like Jing in this capacity exhibits an ability to connect with both one's colleagues and one's students.

Learning Outcomes.

1.  How do you create a digital movie without a digital camera?    
      Use a program like Jing to capture images from the screen's display in order to either show them in the order in which they were captured to in a sequence.
2. Can you vary the video capture size?
     Yes
3.  How do you determine the recording area of your screen capture?
      Drag the yellow lines to adjust the width and height before you start recording
4.  When you save a Jing video capture, how can you save it on your computer?  
     Click on the save button rather than the screencast button.
5.  Where is your video capture saved? 
     On your screencast, in your history, and on your hard drive
6.  What file type is a Jing screencast movie? 
     swf
7.   What is the screencast button and what does it do?
      The screencast button automatically saves your Jing files to the screencast website for easy access and public sharing
8.  The Jing 'Sun', for lack of a better word, has three prongs.  What does each prong do? 
     One captures images on the screen, the other goes to history, and the last one goes to a multitude of tools that Jing offers
9.  What address is copied to the clipboard when you press the screencast button while viewing your history? 
     Your Jing file's address
10.  How do you push an item from your history? 
     Once you are viewing it you simply press share
11.  What is the domain name of the server where screencast movies are stored?
     screencast.com

Jeopardy

Don't know what happened to this post.  I did it a week ago and just got on here to get some more work done and it's gone! Frustrating as all get out!  I know I must have messed up somewhere along the way, I'm just not sure where I might have been so careless. 

 Luckily the link to the game I created was in my history.  Tracking it down was w so that was easy.  Typing up the blog is the only part taking up time.  I created the Jeopardy game for this assignment using terms we needed to review in the English class I co-teach.  The assignment for this blog and our review coincided perfectly because we needed the review at about the same time and were able to use the game the day after I made it. 

Jeopardylabs is a great tool for teachers.  It's free and allows you to create as many games as you'd like on as many subjects as you'd like.  All you have to do is fill in the boxes and go to town asking your students questions.  This online tool falls under ISTE NETS T standard two because it is directly used to promote student learning.

Wordle

I copy and pasted an excerpt from Ted Kennedy's Faith, Truth, and Tolerance in America speech from October 1983 into Wordle.  It mixed up the speech and then reproduced it in an array of colorful words of different sizes which I was able to manipulate. I had the option to change the colors of the words and the background, the directions the words were going, and the font.  The ISTE NETS standards Wordle falls under would be standard one and 2 because it encourages supports students creativity and it also supports students using digital resources along with prior knowledge to create a finished product.

With the upcoming elections and all of the rhetoric spewing out of the GOP campaign I thought it'd be nice to see some of the words from one of the more level heads our Congress has been graced with in recent years.

Jing Image

Jing is another tool that is new to me.  I wasn't aware that it was out there, but now that it's open to me I can see myself using it a lot.  I wasn't really sure how to use it at first so I fumbled around with the snipping tool before I realized that wasn't necessary at all.  Once I got the hang of it I found that Jing is really simple to use.  Once you capture an image you can highlight, point out details, add text, and then share almost immediately.  

The information I wanted to share using this Jing for this assignment goes along with my role as my school's multicultural go-to-guy.  We have our first meeting with our clubs this week and I know there's going to be a lot of grumbling about the fact that we've been cracking down on dress code.  I don't see why they're going to complain that we make them wear their pants above their butts but they will so I'm going in prepared with a picture and caption of a billboard that I hope might stir a few thought provoking conversations.  

I found this small picture and caption while I was working on this assignment and thought it very fitting to use for both this and my activity with my students.  Once I found information on the website that I wanted to use I captured the part of the browser that I wanted to use, edited it as I wished, highlighted the text I found important, added necessary arrows, and included text that I felt would engage my students.  I then saved to screencast where a larger image of the image can be viewed.  

The ISTE NETS T standard Jing applies to is standard 5.  Jing helps tearchers engage in professional growth and leadership by continuously improving their professional practice.  Jing enables educators to model a professional community inside their schools and within their school districts simple by using the tools it provides.

Self Portrait

Today's assignment was to create an abstract self portrait using a site called Picassohead. I think this is one of my favorite assignments of all time.  Hands down.  I enjoyed this one more than I think I should have.  The website enables you to choose different elements of the face, hair, eyes, ears, nose, etc and manipulate them in order to create a picture in the style of Pablo Picasso that is "original".  This assignment clearly falls under ISTE NETS T standard 1 because it promotes and inspires student creativity.

Snipping Tool

I found the snipping tool to be quite easy to use, and I have to admit it was  sort of fun. I'll be honest, I've seen it on my new laptop but I had yet to even bother with using it.  I'm glad this assignment came along because I think I found a new friend.  I spent some time getting used to it by saving different random things to send to friends.  So I thought I would share one such headline with everyone here. The lesson that I can teach is that if a deal seems too good to be true it most likely is too good to be true. Keep 'em honest Ashley McDowell.  You keep fightin' the good fight!  But I digress as I determine that using the snipping tool falls under ISTE NETS T standard 3 because as an educator I am learning to use a new technological tool to bring information to my students.

Experiences with web browsers

An add on is a program that can be integrated into your web browser and provides said browser with additional functionality.  An add on can range from a search toolbar to a scrolling news or sports score update.  They enhance the aesthetic and ease in which we browse the web.

I have never been one to use add ons very much, but there were exceptions.  I have a new laptop and my previous dinosaur would have worked  even slower had I used any add ons so I had to get rid of them.  In the past I did use add ons to ESPN and BBC News, which were extremely easy to install and use.  Diigo is the first add on I can remember installing in a while.  It was simple to install and I must say that it's sort of fun playing around with.  I haven't put anything in my library yet, but I'm enjoying getting used to using it.

ISTE NETS T standard 3 best fits this activity.  In standard 3 section d it states that teachers must "model digital-age learning using current and emerging digital tools to locate analyze, evaluate, and use information resources to support research and learning" (http://www.iste.org/standards/nets-for-teachers/nets-for-teachers-2008.aspx).  This is exactly Diigo and the Diigolet are geared to do.  They are focused on making it easier and more efficient to share and find information in order to facilitate learning at all levels.

Diigo

For this assignment we were required to watch a short film about the social bookmarking site, Diigo, and answer a few questions on how to get started bookmarking.  Working with bookmarking and working with a tool like Diigo falls under the ISTE NETS T standard 3 because we as educators are modeling digital knowledge and competency.

1. Describe the 3 steps recommended in the film to get started social bookmarking.

1. According to the film, you should start social bookmarking by highlighting, annotating, and bookmarking pages as you read them online.  This will make returning to points of interest on websites easier and more efficient for you and others who share you interests.
2. The next step in getting started with social bookmarking is to organize, share, and display your tagged bookmarks.  This makes it easy to connect with others who share similar interests and network in order to build larger groups with friends and like-minded individuals. 
3. The final step the film recommends is search for information based on bookmarks you're interested in from other users.  This will build on your networking and connect you with more users.

2. Describe Web 2.0, and how it differs from previous stages of the web.

     

    Previous stages of the web only allowed people to view information left by others.  Web 2.0 provides a forum to interact and collaborate with those who share similar interests.

3.  What is social bookmarking and what advantages does social bookmarking  offer that traditional storage and retrieval of web sites does not?

Social bookmarking has turned the act of reading into an socially interactive collaboration.  People are now able to tag information, collaborate, add text, and form large networks. These tags and texts will enable others to know if a particular site is useful or where exactly to find vital information in a large body of text. With social bookmarking we are now able to store and maintain bookmarks online in order to connect with colleagues, friends, and users who share similar interests.

Introduction

I enjoy all of the crazy and random things life has to offer. I try not to get flustered or agitated about things very easily.  Along with teaching and grad school, I coach Cross Country and work at a farmer's market in downtown Baltimore every Sunday selling produce with friends.