Session 10

Wow what an experience. I have finally completed most of the prototype. One of the biggest problems that I came across is when to stop. I had purchased a software that was supposed to make it easy to create webpages. I have spent hours and hours over many days trying to get it to do what I wanted. Finally I gave up on it and went back to good old Claris Homepage. Yes I know they don't make it anymore but I'll take it any day for a basic website.
The prototype has been quite an adventure. Last week I reported that Atomic Learning has basically developed what I was working on. I spoke to our District Tech Coordinator and told her about my project and what I wanted to do for the class. She said it was perfect for what they were looking at for the district. Instead of creating my own lessons that wouldn't have been as good, I linked to projects that they have created. This serves my purpose for the webpages. I did record podcasts explaining the different elements of the standards and plan to create quizes for all of the lessons using Hot Potatoes. There are almost half of the standards that do not have lessons at this point and I plan to use part of my downtime this summer to create them and the quizes.
I have not tested this with anyone yet because I just finished the revisions today but I uploaded it to our school page and will send the link to a few teachers to have them try some of it. I am hoping to have it up and running when we come back in July.
The Lesson Accelerators by Atomic Learning have the lessons already figured out and have video clips to show the students what to do to complete the assignments. I included the video links for the students to follow and linked them to their lessons for ease. I was pretty excited to get that done.

I hope you have a chance to check this out and please send me any input. Hopefully I can meet some of you in the fall.

http://southridgems.org/ourpages/users/644Project/home.htm

Session 9

I'm still plugging along on the project. I found out this week that our district is looking for a guinea pig to try using a NETS assessment that Atomic Learning created along with lessons to cover the NETS. It has an assessment and reports the results. It then links to "Lesson Accelerators" that teach the lessons through lessons that already created using different software. It is exactly what my project was--uuuggghhh. I told the Tech Coordinator for the district what my project was for this class and she was very interested in it. I am continuing to work on the tutorials but I can use Atomic Learning for the examples. I am excited about it because the district already purchased it and it is a great resource.

I do like Simple Assessment. The format was great and the questions were challenging. I didn't feel that they dumbed it down at all for Middle Schoolers. The program is free for schools but the sales guy does call at least every 2 weeks trying to sell more of what they have. I will now be able to tell him that the district already has something in place.

I'm off to ready your projects and give feedback. Thanks for everyone that wished me luck and congratulated me on the Marathon. It was quite an experience. I wouldn't trade it for the world. Would I do it again? hmm I am already getting the bug to get back out there and run. Have a good week.

Session 8

Wow what a week! Monday I completed the LA Marathon in 7:19:57. My feet had blisters that finally popped on Friday. It has been a long tiring week.

This week I listened to Barbara's podcast. I was really interested to see her information on the website but the link didn't work. I found the path she took to be very interesting. The idea of Assistive Technology was a great idea because it is something that many SPec. Ed teachers and students need to use. It was surprising to hear that there was no training in the Spec. Ed. program on the different softwares and hardwares that are available. I spent some time looking at the different assistive technologies that were available such as the voice software and screen reading software. I didn't really know how the sticky keys worked. I just knew one of my students turned it on and I had to turn it off. The statistic about 20$ of Americans report disabilities was a shock.

I have been spending a lot of time figuring out how to create my prototype. I am creating webpages for now because I still haven't found a software for the virtual reality. I am looking at Opensim but need a server. We'll see. I have been working on the webpages and forms for the students to save the information from the online tests. I also have been looking at what standards the different assignments meet. I am pretty excited about it all.

Session 7

I just emailed my IRB application in after working a few hours on it. I found the CITI module to take more than an hour (more like 2). I was glad when that was done. It is amazing how repeatative some of them were. It was all very interesting but long.

I just realized that I forgot about the permission slip for consent alos. Dang. I hope everyone is having a good weekend. I am getting ready for the Marathon in the morning so I am off to bed. Have a good'n.

Proposal Update

It has amazed me how much my project has changed (or matured) since I started this class. I am doing the comps but this process has excited me about the idea of a project. Well almost....the big roadblock last time was all of the work that goes into it and I had only worked on the basic concept. I can't believe how much work we have done on these projects. I hope it really helps those of you that are doing projects because it really has helped me come up with some great ideas on how to change my computer class.

I have to admit--last week was a bad week to be working on stuff. I did my proposal and changed it a few times but didn't find time to read blogs. Hopefully I will get time to sit and read these next few days as I save my energy for the LA Marathon on Monday.

notes about lit review and updates.

I broke my lit review up into smaller parts because of how long it was. I am hoping for any feedback because it has been awhile since I have done one. Any input would be appreciated.

Updates:
(5/8,5/9 and 5/10)--worked on lit review
(5/10)-- i just read through the blogs of Jason, Heidi, Bill, Barbara, Mark and Kristina. It amazes me how all of us are sitting here on Mother's Day trying to crank this out. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.

Literature Review Introduction

Literature and daily observation has shown the growth of technology of classrooms throughout the world. In the last 20 years, we have seen classrooms going from the Apple IIE with programs being on floppy disks to laptops with the Internet to reach out to the world. While experts are arguing if it is more important for today’s students to be able to operate the computer and have a thorough understanding of how a computer operates to another camp that is arguing that information literacy is more important for our students. This literature review will focus on three different areas that are at the forefront of utilizing computers in classrooms. Even if you are a supporter of information literacy, there needs to be an understanding that it is important to assess a student’s ability to operate the computer and use the software and concepts available on it. It is also important to look at the differences between web-based instruction (WBI) and Virtual classrooms of the future.

Online Assessment

On October 7, 2008, eSchoolNews reported that beginning in 2012, technology literacy will be assessed as part of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). No Child Left Behind has made it mandatory that students will be proficient in technology literacy by the end of eighth grade but has not defined how to assess if students are proficient. By the end of 2009, the National Assessment Governing Board will have a framework that will establish the guidelines for the assessment. One problem with this is how to do students get evaluated? What standards are being used for the assessments? ISTE’s NETS-S or National Technology Standards? (eSchoolnews, 10/7/08)
States and the Federal government are scrambling to develop an assessment that will assess students’ ability to use computers. In 1995, the European Computer Driving License was created testing people in seven major areas: Concepts of Information Technology, Using the Computer & Managing files, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Database, Presentation and Information & Communication ( http://www.bcs.org ). It was through this framework that many of today’s studies on IT assessment come from.
Tuckett (1989) stated that computer literacy had three components such as an understanding of what computer do, the skills necessary to use them and confidence in their use. An assessment on IT needed to show an understanding of all three to show the ability to use the computer. Vivien Sieber stated in her study of 1st year undergraduates from Oxford that “e-assessment provides opportunities for diagnostic assessment which has potential to inform teaching.” Sieber also stated that the purpose of creating “diagnostic assessments that would show the need for IT training and allow the students an opportunity to review their skills/performance within a given range of expectations; to learn to question feedback; and to provide personal performance-related training recommendations along with information about opportunities for that training” (Sieber 2009, 217). Assessments should have a combination of multiple-choice, true-false, and drag and drop questions. (Sieber 2009, 217) “The primary criterion for selection of a question type…should not be the ease with which the response to the question gets evaluated by the computer but rather the type of learning the question is designed to assess” (Gibbs and Peck, 1995). Biggs in 1999 stated that this type of form does not show an “active demonstration of the knowledge in question, as opposed to talking or writing about it” (Biggs, 1999). Thus in order to get a clear assessment there would need to be a combination of both the multiple choice, true-false and drag and drop as well as a way for the student to be able to write or talk about it. Truly we judge mastery by the person’s ability to be able to explain what is expected to be known. Researchers have struggled with that concept.
Different researchers have come up with different ways to assess student performance online and with paper and pencil. Sieber in 2009 created her study that asked students in the Medical Services program at Oxford to complete a questionnaire asking students to rate on a scale of 1-5 about their ability to use different programs including file manager, word processing, spreadsheets and email. The questionnaire had the scale as well as a free response section. The results of Sieber’s study concluded that beginning in 2004 students were about to use the programs but there were some gaps in understanding. Sieber states “There was extensive variation in file management and word processing, which is particularly disheartening as students might be expected to be familiar with them. One possible explanation for complacency is that despite using a word processor regularly, students do not know how to use this software properly and are not aware of many of the advanced functions: (Sieber 2009). The research also pointed out that the most popular way to learn new skills was to have a friend teach the students the skill and weak students overestimated their skills while the stronger students underestimated their ability.
In Taiwan a study was conducted at different elementary schools to test the students’ competency in computer technology literacy. 1,539 Students were given a questionnaire that had them rate themselves on a scale of 1-5 of how they agreed or disagreed with statements. Questions ranged for operation skills to computer usages and concepts to attitudes towards computer technology. The results showed that students that used the Internet for homework scored better in computer technology while the students that used to computers for online gaming, scored better on attitudes toward computer technology. Students that accessed the computers for chat/MSN scored better in technology operation skills, computer uses, learning with technology and Internet operations. The research also concluded that based on this study, females were more competent that the males based on the results (Chang, 2008).
The best example of how an online assessment can be developed to get meaningful conclusions was the Formative Automated Computer Testing or FACT. This project was conducted by the University of Dundee to study how students were able to show IT competency. The researchers created the computer based section using Microsoft Word that allowed them to create and save the versions of the test and control how it was given to the students. The assessment was broken into three different parts evaluating different skills. The first part was the computer-based test using FACT to test the students to create and edit two different Microsoft Word documents by changing the font, applying different text styles and other functions. This had to be completed in 20 minutes. The second section was the 20 minute paper based skill test that tested the student’s knowledge of Microsoft Word and how to perform different tasks. This allowed the student to be able to write out the steps to show mastery. The third section was a written evaluation comparing the two different tests and describing the pros and cons of the sections.
The results of the FACT evaluation concluded that the software was able to handle what the researchers were looking for and had no problems. When surveyed to the preference of the computer-based test versus the paper test, students said that they preferred the computer based test. They felt that the FACT test was easier because they were able to get help using the computer and they felt that it was fairer. The students felt that the paper based assessment was more difficult because the students had to be able to visualize the steps needed to complete a task without the programs in front of them. The students that did not like the FACT computer-based test complained that the timer distracted them and pressured them to complete the assessment in the time needed (Hunt, Hughes, Rowe 2002).
The FACT assessment seemed to be the fairest version of online assessment because of it’s ability to assess basic IT skills on the computer plus being able to test for understanding by having the students write out the steps and explain them. Hunt, Hughes, and Rowe stated in their study that an IT assessment had to have three components in order to be a good tool. The tool had to be able to test how: “information technology tests can be constructed easily which are relevant to different disciplines; students be given appropriate feedback to assist learning; assessments be task-based and realistic, yet cost-effective and reliable” (Hunt, Hughes, Rowe 2002). The FACT assessment met those three components.

Web-based Instruction (WBI)

As research moves beyond online assessment and how to give students feedback and remediation if needed, the next step is to look at web-based instruction (WBI). In the mid 1990s, schools started to utilize the Internet as a platform to deliver information. When I was taking classes at Cal-State in the late 1990s, we used the Internet to get information and share emails, but it wasn’t until my last class that I completed a class online using WebCT. Now we see programs such as the University of Phoenix that have an entire program built around getting a college degree entirely online while “working” with other students online to complete projects on line to submit to a professor. Other colleges and high schools are moving to a more web-based curriculum for many reasons including cost and availability of courses.
A WBI class should do the following:” encourage self-paced learning where the student can work independently at their own pace; promote interaction between teachers and learners, learners and learners and allow students to create and share their knowledge; help with contextual learning and discussion; and provide live learning resources for learners” (Yang, Chang, 2008). A typical class that is web-based will have the student log on to a website to see the assignments. Classes are set up on sites such as Moodle or Blackboard that allow instructors to set up the class with assignments, a calendar, discussion boards, chats and links for information. Many schools have taken the on line courses to the next level by creating a multimedia class. There are classes that have teachers set up a time that the teacher is in front of a camera or computer and the class is conducted. The camera allows for web cams with different students that are logged in and the teacher presents the information. Students are able to chat with the teacher and get instant feedback as well as emails. This allows for the face to face interaction that is missing in many of the web-based classes.
There are many advantages to web-based instruction as seen by the researchers. Students prefer the WBI classes because they enjoy the factor that they do not have to go to the main campus and can complete it on their time. According to the study by Rodriguez, Ooms and Montanez (2008) of the students they surveyed 48% appreciated the flexibility of study time and less need to go to the campus (24%). 49% liked the limited face to face interaction. “Among the students who had online-learning experience, half (52%) reported to agree that online courses meet the same quality standards as classroom courses. Even so, 89% reported that they would consider registering for another online course, 11% would not” (Rodriguez, Ooms and Montanez, 2008).
The University of Georgia conducted a study on the use of online learning. The researchers looked at the following components: design of the course, comfort with online technologies and time management. The study results were all favorable for the online courses with design being the highest (89%). The lowest result was time management with (71%) (Song, Singleton, Hill and Koh, 2003). The students were also surveyed on using different tools of communication such as email, chats and bulletin boards.
Web-based instruction also had some disadvantages that need to be dealt with in order to make it a valuable tool. Many researchers found that there were limitations to WBI such as” no human teacher expression and explanation; no synchronization and match between course materials and explanations; lack of contextual understanding, just in time feedback and interactions; lack of platform-independent standardized materials” {Yang, Liu, 2007). Also many participants in the study by Song, Singleton, Hill and Koh, (2003) struggled with the lack of community, difficulty understanding instructional goals and technical problems.
Some of the problems with WBI centered around the social and lack of community of the instruction. Most of the classes did not see building a community as a goal so did not motivate social immersion and linking to the other students. They do not allow students to link together even if they use the same communication tools. They lack pedagogical features which are essential for creating a learning community (Mioduser, Nachmias, Oren and Lahav ,1999).
The study by Yang and Change (2008) pointed out that many of the web-based classes are set up for individuals and they tend to be people that want a task described and want to attack It to complete it. “These adult students desired more of interactions via internet with experts who have the expertise related to the target issue rather than with their peers “(Yang, Chang, 2008). “As for the instructional approaches, students preferred the inquiry-based instructional design, expected more of the accommodation-oriented cognitive activities, and were like to engage in the outward interaction” (Yang, Chang, 2008).
Students also had an issue with the lack of feedback from instructors. They found that they were missing the face to face interaction with the teachers and missed the feedback from the teachers. Hislop (2001) found that online classes required more time taken by the instructor to prepare the curriculum and set it up. Other factors that added to the workload were the lack of experience of the participant and the time required to interact with the participant. “Online exercises also challenge the teachers, not only in terms of complexity and compatibility, but also in the fundamental ways of sense making. In the physical classroom, the experienced teacher knows how to “read the situation” and immediately adjusts his roles and methods accordingly. In the virtual classroom, one has to rely solely on what is being explicitly stated, and gaps between accustomed personal and professional competencies and the demands of the situation are likely to occur” (Heilson, Josephson, 2008).
“Accordingly, to encourage students to engage in explorative and interactive web-based learning environments, instructors could help students to build up more positive thought about web-based learning. What can be done is to show and discuss with students the benefits and positive results of web-based learning prior to any learning activities” (Yang, Chang, 2008).

Virtual Reality

As classrooms and students move beyond the basic web-based instruction that has been around for the last twenty years, researchers and programmers must look at how to make technology more meaningful for the student and still get the curriculum across. The next step which has begun to take hold in classrooms is utilizing tools that would be considered part of Web 2.0. Podcasts, videos, chats, instant messages as well as online communities that break away from a more text based use of the web to graphic representations of the world and the student. Virtual Worlds are the next step beyond the text because they are able to graphically bring the items to life. The students are able to log in and see a street with other classmates there are graphic avatars. The students are able to interact with the avatars and travel around the street to get where they need to go. Students work in groups or teams and interact with each other instead of the more individualized web-based. As these worlds become more prominent in the classrooms, designers must make a “strong commitment to the idea in the world will actively engage pupils who were sometimes ‘hard to reach’ as well as providing a motivation to use literacy in a variety of purposeful ways” (Merchant, 2009).
While reviewing virtual worlds, it was discovered that Warburton and Perez-Garcia created a list of the pros of virtual worlds. They stated that it was important for participants to have interactions with other participants that would allow for discussion and interaction within the site. Visualization and contextualization is important because in a traditional WBI, the student had difficulty visualizing what they needed to know and lost the connection. There needs to be authentic content and culture as well as identity play. Immersion is essential to get the buy in and allow the participant to be connected in the world. Often web-based classes are missing the community presence and simulation that is needed to get the buy in also. Warburton and Perez-Garcia felt that one of the keys to ownership of virtual worlds was that the worlds could be modified to meet the needs of the situation and that there was ease it doing so (Warburton, 2008, Warburton &Perez-Garcia, 2009).
In keeping with Warburton’s research, researchers at Northern Illinois University conducted a study of students utilizing a virtual world for a class. The study focused on the use of avatars, 3D space and dialogue bubbles to test the acceptance of virtual worlds. The students were trained in the procedures of using the virtual worlds and were then given assignments that they had to post. It was discovered that students liked the use of avatars and spent time creating one that was most like them. Students used the 3D space to navigate around the site and felt that it was like having their classmates in the room with them. The use of dialogue bubbles allowed the students to show words in a more graphic version to get the idea. It puts an avatar to the words to better show who said it. Students did find they were more careful with their words because they didn’t want to get misquoted or be seen in a poor light since people could see avatar and connect them to the person (Omale, Hung, Luetkehans and Cooke-Plagwitz, 2009).
One of the goals of using a virtual world would be to allow the student to discover and express digital literacy. Digital literacy is defined as “reading and writing with new technologies-technologies that involve the semiotic of written representation-recognizing that on-screen texts invariably combine writing with other modes of representation” (Merchant, 2007). Within a virtual world students are gaining digital literacy through the environmental print of the signs and posters within it, the tool tip clues, hyperlinked texts, interactive chats with spelling revisions and thought expressions. Students were correcting their words before others could correct them and working to develop and explain their answers. Merchant stated that “These chat data are interesting in the way that they replicated the characteristic features of spoken discourse in classroom settings” (Merchant, 2009).
Virtual worlds do have some cons that have caused some problems for those classes that have been trying to utilize this new technology. Currently one of the major barriers to utilizing virtual worlds in classrooms is to ascertain what should be included into them. The teachers must sit down with designers to create what they envision. The teachers have to establish clear objectives and outcomes. There must be controls in place to bring the students back into focus as well as control what they can and can not do.
Warburton stated in 2008 that there were issues that factor into it such as the following: “technical, identity, culture, collaboration, time, economic, standards and scaffolding persistence and social discovery” (Warburton, 2008, Warburton &Perez-Garcia, 2009). The technical issues stem from the development of the software and worlds as well as navigation around the site. Identity issues stem from the search for the avatar’s character and reputation. This focuses on character reputation. Culture centers around creating a safe zone for students and teachers where the world has rules and norms of what is acceptable or not. Collaboration and cooperation is important so that students can work together with trust. Time goes back to the time it takes to design and modify the virtual world. Economics focus on who will pay for the site’s development and hosting. There needs to be standardization of what is acceptable in the worlds and what software is used to create the worlds. Scaffolding persistence and social discovery are key to the worlds in that the social networking that can be contained in the world. There is also the question of allowing other programs to connect with the world in such objects as creating avatars and chat. (Warburton, 2008, Warburton &Perez-Garcia, 2009).
The students would view this as just playing a video game instead of interacting with their classmates and teachers as they learn the curriculum. “innovative digital literacy practices such as those involved in virtual game play can easily disrupt classroom routines and call into question deeply held assumptions about literacy, literacy instruction and even teacher-pupil relationship that lies at the heart of the educational process” (Merchant, 2009).
As virtual worlds become more prominent in classrooms and the issues are worked out, it is time to look ahead and see what will it be like in ten to fifteen years? It has been reported that sites like Second Life are working with Moodle to create a more 3-D interactive website where the students can take classes and the information can be connected to their Moodle classes. New browsers on coming on line to handle open source creation of virtual worlds so that the educators are able to create a virtual world to meet their needs. I was just looking at metaplace as an example. Standards are being created to make it easier for the different programs to talk to each other and create avatars that can go from world to world and keep all the data. Iphone is set up to connect to the virtual world of AjaxLife so there will become a more portable and mobile connection. Connectivity and interaction will create a more interactive society with students and teachers being able to connect in a more meaningful interaction. It will be interesting to see what it next.

References

Appel, J. (11/28/2006). Report: Students struggle with information literacy. eSchoolnews.com
Ascione, L. (4/1/2006). States erratic on IT literacy. eSchoolnews.com.
Biggs, J., (1999). Teaching for Quality Learning at University Society for Research into Higher Education and Open University Press, Buckingham.
Chang, C., (2008). Development and validation of the Computer Technology Literacy Self-Assessment Scale for Taiwanese Elementary School Students. Adolescence 43 Fall 2008, 623-634.
Davidson-Shivers, G., (2009). Frequency and Types of Interactions in Online Instruction. . Journal of Interactive Online Learning 8(1) 2009, 23-40.
DiPietro, M., Ferdig, R., Black, E., Preston, M. (2008). Best practices in teaching K-12 online: Lessons learned from Michigan Virtual School teachers. Journal of Interactive Online Learning 7(1) 2008, 10-35.
eSchool News staff and wire service reports. (9/10/08). Report: Retool instruction, or U.S. will fail. eSchoolnews.com.
Heilesen, S., Josephsen, J., (2007). E-learning: Between augmentation and disruption? Computers and Education 50(2008), 525-534.
Hislop, G.W. (2001). Does teaching online take more time? Paper presented at the 31st ASEE/IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, October 10-13, 2001, Reno, NV. Session TIF, 23-27.
Hunt, N., Hughes, J., Rowe, G., (2002). Formative Automated Computer Testing (FACT). British Journal of Educational Technology, 33(5), 525-535.
Jarmon, L., Traphagan, T., Mayrath, M., Trivedi, A. (January 2009). Virtual world teaching, experimental learning and assessment: An Interdisciplinary communication course in Second Life. Computers and Education 53 (2009), 162-182.
Merchant, G., (2009). Literacy in virtual worlds. Journal of Research in Reading 32 (1) 2009, 38-56.
Mioduser, D., Nachmias, R., Oren, A., Lahav, O., (8/11/1999). Web-based learning environments (WBLE): Current implementation and evolving trends. Journal of Network and Computer Applications (1999) 22, 233-247.
Morgan, V., Toledo, C., (2006). Online Feedback and Student Perceptions. . Journal of Interactive Online Learning 5(3) 2006, 333-340.
North American Council for Online Learning and the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, (November 2006). Virtual Schools and 21st Century Skills. North American Council for Online Learning and the Partnership for 21st Century Skills.
Oliver, M., Carr, D., (2009). Learning in virtual worlds: Using communities of practice to explain how people learn from play. British Journal of Educational Technology, 40 (3), 444-457.
Olson, A. (5/4/09). It’s a virtual life for swine flu-bound Mexicans. MSNBC.com
Omale, N., Hung, W., Luetkehans, L. , Cooke-Plagwitz, J., (2009). Learning in 3-D multiuser virtual environments: Exploring the use of unique 3-D attributes for online problem-based learning. ). British Journal of Educational Technology, 40 (3), 480-495.
Rodriguez, M., Ooms, A., Montanez, M. (2008). Student Perceptions of Online-learning Quality given Comfort, Motivation, Satisfaction, and Experience. Journal of Interactive Online Learning 7(2) 2008, 105-125.
Sieber, V. (2009). Diagnostic online assessment of basic IT skills in 1st-year undergraduates in the Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford. British Journal of Educational Technology, 40(2), 215-226.
Song, L., Singleton, E., Hill, J., Koh, M. (2003). Improving online learning: Student perceptions of useful and challenging characteristics. Internet and Higher Educations 7(2004), 59-70.
Staff. (10/07/2008). On the way: Nation’s first tech-literacy exam. eSchoolnews.com.
Stansbury, M. (3/26/2009). Six technologies soon to affect education. eSchoolnews.com.
Tuckett, H.W., (1989). Computer literacy, information literacy and the role of the instruction librarian on coping with information illiteracy: Bibliographic literacy for the information age. Ann Arbor, MI: Pierran Press.
Twining, P., (2009). Exploring the educational potential of virtual worlds-Some reflections from the SPP. British Journal of Educational Technology, 40 (3), 496-514.
Warburton, S., (2008). Loving your avatar: identity, immersion and empathy. Liquid Learning.
Warburton, S. & Perez-Garcia, M. (2009). 3D design and collaboration in massively multi-user virtual environments. In D. Russel (Ed), Cases of collaboration in virtual learning environments: processes and interactions. Hershey, PA:IGI Global. Forthcoming April 2009.
Warburton, S., (2009). Second Life in higher education: Assessing the potential for and the barriers to deploying virtual worlds in learning and teaching. British Journal of Educational Technology, 40 (3), 414-426.
Yang, F., Chang, C. (2008). Examining high-school students’ preferences towards learning environments, personal beliefs and concept learning in web-based contexts. Computers and Education 52 (2009), 848-857.
Yang, Z., Liu, Q., (2004). Research and development of web-based virtual online classroom. Computers and Education 48 (2007), 171-184.

Session 4

I have been busy reading the articles and trying to figure out how to connect the parts. Honestly I am still battling the web-based instruction and virtual reality sections as part 2 and 4 of my lit review. I have found articles to support VR but I if I focus on it as the next generation, it works. I have been so busy reading my articles that I have not been able to read every one else's blogs but I will read the other blogs tomorrow.

Here are the five questions Dr. Newberry asked us to focus on:
1. What are your three major areas of review? My Three areas of review focus around assessment of students and teachers on IT Skills, utilizing web based instruction for classes, using Virtual Reality for schools using Second Life or Moodle---It’s more of the next generation of schools
2. How does each area of your review inform and/or influence your project?
The first area focuses on assessment. I have found that my students do not have basic IT skills that are needed to create a truly web-based student. The students are spending too much time trying to figure out how to use the computer instead of utilizing the tools needed for studies. How can students use the computer for classes if they can’t turn it on.
The second area focused on the web-based instruction that is currently being used. The main problem with most of the web-based classes is that they are impersonal and lack the interaction needed for students. We have moved onto using podcasts, videos and blogs but there is still something missing.
The third area is the future of education. Programs like Moodle and Blackboard allow for more interaction but students are still missing something. Currently programmers are working to create an interactive classroom that utilizes Moodle and Second Life to create an interactive classroom with avatars, chats and blogging.
3. What are the subsections in each of your three major areas? Not sure yet—still reading articles and trying to put the pieces together.
4. Do these subsections make sense? Not sure yet—still reading articles and trying to put the pieces together.
5. Does your outline flow? Still in progress

my pre-thesis revised as of 4/26

I did make some changes to the lit review articles and my plan after a week to look at other articles and see that I wanted to make some changes.



Introduction:
After 3 years of running the computer lab, I see students growing in the skills that will help them in creating multimedia projects and gaming but they do not know how to utilize the computer to create projects that require research and an advanced use of computers. They can tell you how to add backgrounds to myspace or what is the best video from Youtube but, students don’t know what they don’t know. I am looking at how to assess student skills and adjust my program to meet the National Education Technology Standards (NETS) and No Child Left Behind (NCLB). I am currently assessing the students using an assessment of the NETS from Simple Assessment (http://www.simpleassessment.com ). The assessment asks 60 questions based on the 6 areas of NETS. The teacher gets feedback from the report and is able to tailor a program to help the students become proficient in the standard. The questions are either true/false, multiple choice, matching on the different skills needed.
After reviewing what standards that need to be met, I will complete a review of our program to make sure that we are covering the standards for our students and revising the classes to met NCLB.
Preliminary Literature Review:
Sieber, Vivien. (2009). Diagnostic online assessment of basic IT skills in 1st year undergraduates in the Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford. British Journal of Educational Technology, 40(2) 2009 215-226. Doi:10.1111/j.1467-8535.2008.00926x. Retrieved April 19, 2009 from Academic Search Premier.
This study tested 1st year undergraduates on their basic IT Skills. The researchers were analyzing the level of competence of the undergraduates in the areas of word processing, spreadsheets, databases, email and writing web pages. They used an online assessment that was a mixture of multiple-choice, true-false, and drag and drop questions. The researchers found that many students had overstated their technical competence and were not capable to use programs that were cross platform. For example, the students were not able to use word processing programs in Windows, Mac and Linux with ease even though the researchers thought it would have been an easy transference. Students did not know how to use the software properly and were not aware of advanced functions that they should have known. The students tested poorly in databases because they did not use them regularly. The students when interviewed stated that they learned most of their new skills by working with friends that knew how to do the skill. The researchers concluded that many students did not have the basic skills for effectively use the computers and there needed to be a program in place to aid the students so that the students could use the programs effectively instead of trial and error.
Fang-Ying Yang. (2008, 13 December). Examining high-school student’s performance toward learning environments, personal beliefs and concept learning in web-based contexts. Computers and Education 52(2009) 848-857. Retrieved April 19, 2009 from Academic Search Premier.
The author was researching how high school students felt about web-based instruction. A questionnaire was used that investigated how the students felt about web-based instruction based on the instructional approach, cognitive process and interaction system. The results of the questionnaire said that the students preferred to work individually instead of working in a collaborative group for projects. They wanted interaction with experts with the expertise needed instead of with their peers. Inquiry-based instruction was preferred with a clear task and it needed to be known what was expected. Since the students responded negatively to a collaborative model, the teachers had to adjust to show that the positive aspects of using web-based instruction with collaboration with peers to complete tasks. They had to plan online chats that were carefully planned and guided. This project showed the limitations of web-based instruction as far as limiting interaction between peers
Omale, Hung, Luetkehans, Cooke-Plagwitz. (2009) Learning in 3D multiuser virtual environments: Exploring the use of unique 3D attributes for online problem-based learning. British Journal of Educational Technology, 40(3) 2009 480-495. Doi:10.1111/j.1467-8535.2008.00941x. Retrieved April 19, 2009 from Academic Search Premier.
This research project looked at using 3D technology and virtual worlds to interact more with each other than a standard web-based class. The researchers focused on three different elements (cognitive, social and teaching presence) and how the elements related to using a 3D World. The researchers used ActiveWorlds because they wanted something that was visually appealing, animated and interactive. There were 8 students who were used to rest to see how objects such as avatars, 3-D space and bubble dialogue affect the three elements. All of the students knew each other to avoid the time that would have been spent trying to get to know each other. The students were instructed on how to use ActiveWorlds and then observed the students. The students would be sent to different meeting rooms and discuss the assigned case. The researchers then used the transcripts form the sessions to look to see how the students were utilizing the program. Based on the research, the researchers came to three conclusions. Number one was the virtual world was fun and engaging and they liked the avatars. Number two was it helped with negotiation, clarification and brainstorming but it had some limitations based on the technology. Number three was that the bubble dialogue allowed for reflection that was insightful but it also found that the students were careful with their wording because the words could be connected to the avatar of the person. The research showed that this was a good way to connect the distance learners together but it also needed to have a more structured design such as web-based instruction. One option would be a combination of Moodle and Second Life that is apparently in the works.


Analysis Plan:
1. After beginning to review the literature I see that I will need to develop a program that will help instruct the students while keeping the students engaged.
2. I will have students take pre-assessment using Simple Assessment NETS standard test.
3. I will review the results to see what standards the students are having difficulty with.

Design Plan:
1. As I review the results from the NETS pre-assessment, I will create a list of standards that I need to work on.
2. I will also look at the projects and modules that I have in my class to match up the NETS standards to what is being taught. I am hoping that I am covering all of the standards through the projects and modules but know I need to adjust them.
3. After reviewing the Modules and projects and checking for alignment of NETS, I will look to see what standards still need to be met.
4. For the standards that are not currently aligned, I will either adjust my projects and modules to meet them or will create lessons to meet the standards. Simple Assessment has a component set up that covers the standards and creates 12 minute lessons with assessment of the lesson built into it. I am not sure if I want to use something like that or create my own.
5. If I do not use Simple Assessment, I will create my own lessons to cover the standards. I will create web-based assignments that will instruct the students on what is expected in each standard using web pages, video and podcasts packaged together to help reach the students in different modalities. I will then assess them to see if they understand the standard using either Simple Assessment or a hot potato quiz.
6. At the end of the Trimester, the students will take the post-test to gauge what they have learned and how they are rated for NETs and NCLB.
7. I am also talking to Simple Assessment about how to assess teachers to the NET-T.
Testing Plan:
1. After creating the lessons and evaluating my program, I will test the revisions with the classes in the Second Trimester. I will test the full program with ONE period while keeping the other classes with the old program.
2. I will assess all of the classes with the pre and post assessment but only the one class will receive the extra instruction on the standards.
3. I am wondering if it might be possible to test the students using one of the different ways to see what works best. Such as one class only seeing the web pages, one class having the podcasts and one class only video to test to see which one is the most effective.
4. I will have the test class give me feedback on the lessons and revise the lessons as needed. If I do #3, then I would have all of the different groups
Implementation Plan:
1. After testing the lessons with one class and revising it, I will use the full program with all of my classes. I will assess with the Pre and Post Tests. I will use the lessons to assist the students in understanding what the objectives of the standards.
2. I will evaluate the program at the end of the trimester and revise as needed.

This week’s activity log:
Thursday April 16—downloaded Thesis Template, Power Point, Template Development and added blog list to my site. I also worked on first part of pre-thesis.
Sunday April 19—Worked on Pre-thesis, logged into Plau Library to search for and download articles for Lit review. I updated my blog list and blog. I visited 7 blogs and worked on plan.
Monday April 20—Downloaded Week 3 podcasts and documents
Week 3
Tuesday April 21—began reading articles for lit review that I downloaded from Plau Library. I was focusing on web-based instruction and started looking at virtual worlds and schools.
Friday April 24—I spent some more time researching virtual schools. There were some articles about using Second Life and Active Worlds that caught my attention. I liked the idea of combining Second Life and Moodle for a class model.
Sunday April 26—while recovering from 19.5 miles of training for the LA Marathon, I reworked my pre-thesis based on a more through reading of articles for literature review. You will notice that I changed 2 of my articles.

Quick question about lit review

Hi all,
I am in the process of reworking the pri-thesis lit review because I am not clearer about what is expected. I am wondering if this will work.

Assessment Online
Web-based instruction
Virtual Reality (Virtual Schools)

My dilemma is whether web-based instruction and virtual reality are the same things? I have gone back and forth and keep second guessing myself.

What do you think?

Pre-Thesis (completed??)

Introduction:
After 3 years of running the computer lab, I see students growing in the skills that will help them in creating multimedia projects and gaming but they do not know how to utilize the computer to create projects that require research and an advanced use of computers. They can tell you how to add backgrounds to myspace or what is the best video from Youtube but, students don’t know what they don’t know. I am looking at how to assess student skills and adjust my program to meet the National Education Technology Standards (NETS) and No Child Left Behind (NCLB). I am currently assessing the students using an assessment of the NETS from Simple Assessment (http://www.simpleassessment.com ). The assessment asks 60 questions based on the 6 areas of NETS. The teacher gets feedback from the report and is able to tailor a program to help the students become proficient in the standard. The questions are either true/false, multiple choice, matching on the different skills needed.
After reviewing what standards that need to be met, I will complete a review of our program to make sure that we are covering the standards for our students and revising the classes to met NCLB.
Preliminary Literature Review:
Lee, Myung-Guen. (2000, 3 April). Profiling students’ adaption styles in web-based learning. Computers and Education 36(2001) 121-132. Retrieved April 19, 2009 from Academic Search Premier.
The author was looking at how students at a university in Seoul Korea learned using a web based program. The author identified 4 different learning styles and gauged how they reacted to the class online. The conclusion was that people learned differently and that one universal program would not benefit everyone. This study was seen as a starting block for the university to revise and develop more web based classes.
Marriott, Pru. (2009) Students’ evaluation of the use of online summative assessment on an undergraduate financial accounting module. British Journal of Educational Technology, 40(2) 2009 237-252. Doi:10.1111/j.1467-8535.2008.00924x. Retrieved April 19, 2009 from Academic Search Premier.
Students were assessed online while they took the accounting module. The researchers found that the students responded positively to the feedback that was given to them while they were assessed. They found that the students were excited about using the technology and it motivated them more than just using paper.
Sieber, Vivien. (2009). Diagnostic online assessment of basic IT skills in 1st year undergraduates in the Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford. British Journal of Educational Technology, 40(2) 2009 215-226. Doi:10.1111/j.1467-8535.2008.00926x. Retrieved April 19, 2009 from Academic Search Premier.
This study tested 1st year undergraduates on their basic IT Skills. The study found that students with more IT skills were better at typing and using the computers that someone that hadn’t used them before.


Analysis Plan:
1. I will have students take pre-assessment using Simple Assessment NETS standard test.
2. I will review the results to see what standards the students are having difficulty with.

Design Plan:
1. As I review the results from the NETS pre-assessment, I will create a list of standards that I need to work on.
2. I will also look at the projects and modules that I have in my class to match up the NETS standards to what is being taught. I am hoping that I am covering all of the standards through the projects and modules but know I need to adjust them.
3. After reviewing the Modules and projects and checking for alignment of NETS, I will look to see what standards still need to be met.
4. For the standards that are not currently aligned, I will either adjust my projects and modules to meet them or will create lessons to meet the standards. Simple Assessment has a component set up that covers the standards and creates 12 minute lessons with assessment of the lesson built into it. I am not sure if I want to use something like that or create my own.
5. If I do not use Simple Assessment, I will create my own lessons to cover the standards.
6. At the end of the Trimester, the students will take the post-test to gauge what they have learned and how they are rated for NETs and NCLB.
7. I am also talking to Simple Assessment about how to assess teachers to the NET-T.
Testing Plan:
1. After creating the lessons and evaluating my program, I will test the revisions with the classes in the Second Trimester. I will test the full program with ONE period while keeping the other classes with the old program.
2. I will assess all of the classes with the pre and post assessment but only the one class will receive the extra instruction on the standards.
3. I will have the test class give me feedback on the lessons and revise the lessons as needed.
Implementation Plan:
1. After testing the lessons with one class and revising it, I will use the full program with all of my classes. I will assess with the Pre and Post Tests. I will use the lessons to assist the students in understanding what the objectives of the standards.
2. I will evaluate the program at the end of the trimester and revise as needed.

This week’s activity log:
Thursday April 16—downloaded Thesis Template, Power Point, Template Development and added blog list to my site. I also worked on first part of pre-thesis.
Sunday April 19—Worked on Pre-thesis, logged into Plau Library to search for and download articles for Lit review. I updated my blog list and blog. I visited 7 blogs and worked on plan.

Pre-Thesis (so far)

Ten years ago when I was in the ETEC program I noticed that many of my students did not have the skills needed to use the computer. They did not have a basic understanding of how to utilize computers as a tool to produce work. It is amazing to me that things have not changed. Ten years ago, my school was switching from the old Macs to our first Dells using Windows 95. Students were learning how to use an operating system and new software. I was looking for a way to help my students learn the basic skills and use computers to create projects using Hyperstudio. We didn’t even have the Internet until after I left. As part of my ETEC 609 class, my partner and I created a pre and post test assessing the student’s ability to navigate around the computer and open and utilize the programs that came with the computer. We found that the students were eager to learn the new computers and begin to understand the new software.
Today ten years later, I still see some of the basic needs. We have students that can navigate around Youtube and Myspace with no difficulty but can not understand how to utilize the computers as a tool to create projects and filter information. Three years ago, I took over one of the two computer classes on my campus and started reviewing the program that was in place. The other computer lab is set up to teach the students basic skills needed using Microsoft Word, Power Point and Adobe Photoshop. My class focuses on creating projects that tie in with the curriculum. Students use several programs to create multimedia projects to share the information.
That brings us to today. After 3 years of running the computer lab, I see students growing in the skills that will help them in creating multimedia projects and gaming but they do not know how to utilize the computer to create projects that require research and an advanced use of computers. Students don’t know what they don’t know. I am looking at how to assess student skills and adjust my program to meet the National Education Technology Standards (NETS) and No Child Left Behind (NCLB). I am currently assessing the students using an assessment of the NETS from Simple Assessment (http://www.simpleassessment.com ). The assessment asks 60 questions based on the 6 areas of NETS. The teacher gets feedback from the report and is able to tailor a program to help the students become proficient in the standard. The questions are either true/false, multiple choice, matching on the different skills needed.
After reviewing what standards that need to be met, I will complete a review of our program to make sure that we are covering the standards for our students and revising the classes to met NCLB.

Timeline

This is my tentative timeline to complete the program:
Fall 1998-Winter 2000-- I took all of the classes in the ETEC program. I then lost steam and focus to finish the project and stopped.
Late March 2009-- I spoke to Dr. Leh about coming back to the program and interviewed to see how I could finish my Masters.
April 6, 2009--registered for class and began the class.
April 26, 2009--Pre-Thesis
May 10, 2009--Literature Review
May 24, 2009--Proposal
May 31, 2009--IRB
June 14, 2009--Project
??--Prototype
??--Final Draft
??--First and Second Readers
??--Format Review
June 2009--complete ETEC 542 and 644
Fall 2009--take 2 classes and COMPS

Hello

Hello everyone,
Let me introduce myself. My name is Chris Fisher and I am returning to the program after stopping back in Winter 2000. I had lost my focus after completing all of my classes but not finishing the project. About a month ago, I spoke to Dr. Leh about some paperwork and she explained that I could come back and take the comps. So here I am.

I am currently taking ETEC 542 and this class to prepare for the comps. I will take 2 classes and comps this fall. If all goes according to plan.

I am also training for the LA Marathon in May. I have been training since October. It has been very rewarding and I never knew I had it in me.

I am a Middle School computer teacher in Fontana. I run the technology core lab which is a project-based class. I enjoy the challenges.