Christine's+New+page

Project proposal:

This project will consist of 3 elements. The first will be participation in a serious of facilitated online discussions regarding Highly Qualified Teachers (HQT). The second will be a written summary of the insights gained from participation in the forums. The third will be a proposal regarding changes in data collection, use of technology both in data management and in professional development associated with HQT, and tracking methods for HQT. The purpose of this project is to engage with other state level employees in a discussion regarding all of the elements of HQT. This is primarily done through conferences, U.S. Department of Education Title II meetings, etc. so the opportunities for these discussions occurs very infrequently while the need for information in order to make good decisions about programs occurs on a daily basis. I have enrolled in an online facilitated discussion group that requires participation in each session. Sessions are posted two times a week and each session includes 3-4 discussion questions with the expectation that each participant posts his or her response and then responds to others’ postings.

Journal (copied and pasted in for now!)


 * 9/28** I think I am caught up in my reading and writing for this course but I really don’t like going into the Wiki or trying new things on the computer. I am dragging my feet – I will be gone next week and won’t have access to the internet so I am starting my journal as a word document.


 * 9/29** I really like the book we are reading. I have thought about a project proposal and would like to join an online discussion that I was contacted about. It is on highly qualified teachers and certification related issues. I have contacted the discussion leader to let him know I will be joining as soon as I am back (Oct 7th).


 * 10/7** I have gotten almost caught up on email and am looking forward to going back to work. I got a little behind on the first discussion question in my online forum but am caught up and have responded to the discussion questions through Tuesday.


 * 10/9** I have been reading and responding to others’ comments on my discussion forum. I like the hosted forum because the moderator sends us emails letting us know there is a specific question or comment he thinks we might be interested in. He has asked me to respond to a couple more comments. It is interesting.


 * 10/10** The first series of questions is done. The group has about 15 people and we are all from different states so I learn a lot about what they are doing with HQT and certification. It’s nice when they have similar experiences and we can empathize with each other. It is also nice to hear some solutions from states that are ahead of ours.


 * 10/11** A new series of questions has started. These are more about professional development. I actually think this might be the most interesting discussion.


 * 10/13** The discussion seems better this session because it is more interactive. I start to wonder if I have met any of these people at meetings or conferences. In any case, I think they all have good things going on in professional development. I think there are things I can apply easily. This discussion seems the most like an actual conversation than I have had in any online forum.


 * 10/15** We are on to the next discussion and it is on data collection. Since this is not my favorite issue it seems more time intensive – I have to research the questions and then respond. I guess it illustrates the need for a good, easily understandable data system which my state does not have.


 * 10/17** Now we are looking at examples of vendors’ products and rating them. This might be a better way for vendors to get input since we are all providing more input than they might get from a brief survey. I guess we are all sort of a captive audience.


 * 10/18** This section has been less interactive because we were asked to evaluate tools. It is interesting that almost everyone said the tools we looked at could be valuable but we all want systems that connect with each other and think these kind of products might be a step too late.


 * 10/21** We are on to the last discussion and the final week of my project. This is also focused on vendors’ products but on how a data system could alert either the state or individual teachers about their certification status, renewal, professional development opportunities, etc.


 * 10/22** I still think this is a good way to collect information but it is not very interactive. I like the actual discussion better. It goes back to my first comment and why I avoid Wiki . . . I like reading what people have to say and when I am on the computer feeling like I am focused on clicking buttons and opening windows or trying to figure out where to post things, I tend to give up.


 * 10/24** I have finished the interactive part of my project. Overall, I enjoyed it and thought it was a good way to learn about other states and to interact with people in similar positions without having to travel to a meeting. I thought some of the discussions were as productive as in person discussions. I would try this again.


 * 10/26** Now I am back to focusing on Second Life (since it seems more interesting a less button clicking than Diigo). I spelled my name wrong so I ended up trying different passwords and am not locked out for 15 minutes because I had too many incorrect login attempts. I am not sure how I am supposed to meet up with Scot in SL.


 * 10/27** Today is the day – I am going to overcome my aversion to Wiki and try to post this on our course wiki. Hopefully I can keep it going on there since it probably defeats the purpose to create a word documents and post everything at once. I also plan to spend more time in SL today and tomorrow. Christopher (8 years old) has webkinz and we spend quite a bit of time taking care of his garden, selling the fruit and vegetables he harvests, feeding the dogs and answering quiz questions. As I look at SL it seems almost like an adult version of webkinz – obviously more complicated but I kind of think there are many similarities in kids’ and adults’ attitudes and involvement in the two.

10/27 Second Life Comments - I have been spending time on Second Life - and find it interesting. I can see how people can become addicted to spending time here and avoid actually spending time in the real world. I don't think it is a bad website but I think that if someone does not have a healthy, balanced life, it can lead to all sorts of problems. I like reading about people and things and I also like some of the options for events although I think my patience for sitting in front of the computer to participate in things is not enough to really take advantage of the events. My husband and I decided to create the Avatar together because I kind of felt weird creating my own and going on second life without him. So, we chose to be a male in our 50s - somewhat older than both of us. We are still just looking around.

I found Scot's name but am not sure how to contact him via second life. I will send an email to see what else I need to participate in this weekend. I think this is more fun than the other things we are doing in the course. It is more like research and much more interesting to me than the wiki and diigo.