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.