What do you make?

When someone asks, "What do you make?" Kindly respond, "I make a difference.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Excel Data

t-Test: Two-Sample Assuming Equal Variances
Variable 1Variable 2
Mean72.87585.6
Variance562.9821429174.8
Observations85
Pooled Variance421.825
Hypothesized Mean Difference0
df11
t Stat-1.086800809
P(T<=t) one-tail0.150182972
t Critical one-tail1.795884814
P(T<=t) two-tail0.300365944
t Critical two-tail2.200985159

This proved my hypothesis that gender did have an effect on age difference.

This assignment was possibly more frustrating than the Audacity project! I am still playing around in Excel and trying to figure out what exactly I am to do with this data. So far, this has been what I have figured out but I am still having problems with my second hypothesis.


NETS T Standards:
Standards the activity would fall under include:
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

a. model creative and innovative thinking
b. engage students in solving real problems using digital tools and resources
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
a. design relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity
b. provide students with multiple formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use that data to inform learning and teaching.

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
d.model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools  and resources to support research and learning
Copyright © 2008, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education), 1.800.336.5191 (U.S. & Canada) or 1.541.302.3777 (Int’l), iste@iste.org, www.iste.org. All rights reserved.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Data Analysis

Research Question 1: Does gender have anything to do with a quiz average?
Independent Variable: Quiz Average
Dependent Variable: Gender
Hypothesis: Quiz averages are dependent on gender.
Null Hypothesis: Gender has no effect on quiz averages.

Research Question 2: Does teaching status have anything to do with the number of blog posts?
Independent Variable: Teaching Status
Dependent Variable: Blog Posts
Hypothesis: If teaching, a person will have fewer blog posts.
Null Hypothesis: Teaching status and the number of blog posts have no correlation.

NETS T Standard #5.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Excel Basics

To begin this assignment, I used the "Find/Replace" tool to replace "Male" with "1" and "Female" with "2." The "Find/Replace" tool was under the "Home" tab on the far right side. Once I was able to locate the function, it was a pretty simple tool to use.

There are multiple ways to sort the data. The fastest way is to click a small box on the right side of a column and you can choose various ways to sort the data. The other way is to select the "Sort & Filter" function directly beside the "Find/Replace" tool. (It's all together...how convenient!)

Lastly, I was able to calculate the sum, average, max, etc. of the data in individual columns.

Not having used excel in quite some time, it took some catching up to do and playing around with it to figure out where everything was again. I attached a picture of what the data looked like after using the "Find/Replace" function, sorting, and calculating the sum of ages.
Standards the activity would fall under include:
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

a. model creative and innovative thinking
b. engage students in solving real problems using digital tools and resources
c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to clarify students’ understanding thinking, planning,
and creativity
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
a. design relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity
d. provide students with multiple formative and summative assessments aligned with content and technology standards and use that data to inform learning and teaching

c. communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats
d. model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools  and resources to support research and learning
Copyright © 2008, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education), 1.800.336.5191 (U.S. & Canada) or 1.541.302.3777 (Int’l), iste@iste.org, www.iste.org. All rights reserved.


Monday, October 17, 2011

Research Review

The first part of this Action Research assignment was to download the date analysis toolpack. The directions were for the 2003 version of Excel, and as we have all found out, the 2007 version is much different. Before I ran to Google to find an answer, I looked around Excel to see if I could figure it out myself. After some searching, all I had to do was click on the main "File" option, and then "Excel Options." After that, I chose "Add-Ins" and selected "Data Analysis Tool Pack." After selecting "OK," it prompted for me to download the tool pack, and Excel automatically did so for me. I was then able to download the needed file.
We also had to read "The Rant." It was worth noting how far behind West Virginia is in our educational standards compared with the rest of the country. We need to begin out-teaching others, going beyond what is expected, and teaching our students beyond the norm. Because "education is a research-based enterprise," we should treat it as such.

NETS T Standards
3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer  that  knowledge to new  situations
c. communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats

d. model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools  and resources to support research and learning
4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
c. promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information
d. develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures
5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
a. participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning
 d. contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community
Copyright © 2008, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education), 1.800.336.5191 (U.S. & Canada) or 1.541.302.3777 (Int’l), iste@iste.org, www.iste.org. All rights reserved.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Pew Millienial Test

Your Millennial score is 91!

The higher your score, the more you have in common with members of the Millennial generation.

I was surprised my score was this high! I tend to struggle with technology; it only causes me headaches. Perhaps the reason is because I am forced by "life" to become familiar with many forms of technology. 
By using my birthday, I am considered "Gen Xer," but from my score, I have more in common with the Millenials! Way to go, me! I never would have thought!

Personality 2 - ISFP

ISFP
  • Introverted
  • Sensing
  • Feeling
  • Perceiving
The personality test diagnosed me as an “Artisan,” which I also agree fits my character. I do in fact climb mountains just because they are there. I put long hours into my work, but I am not lonely at all. When I begin a project, I immerse myself in it until there is a beautiful, finished product. The statement “Some have a remarkable way with young children, almost as if there were a natural bond of sympathy and trust between them” is very true in my case. I’ve always loved working with children of all ages.  Although I cannot say the same about animals! I do enjoy being outside and surrounded by nature. I disagree with the part about not expressing myself verbally; I tend to be very outspoken about my beliefs.

Personality 1 - ISFJ

ISFJ
  • Introverted
  • Sensing
  • Feeling
  • Judging
My self-diagnosed personality type was the “Protector,” which I do agree with, for the most part. I am happy when things are changing, and prefer not to have strict rules placed upon me. I do cherish my family’s traditions. I used to work in the physical therapy field, so I do agree that I like to work with the “downtrodden” and can deal with disability better than most people. My shyness can be misjudged, but in reality I am just reserved. I simply stand back and assess situations before becoming involved. I am diligent in my work, and do not stop until my tasks are accomplished. I don’t consider my work to be undervalued; in fact, I don’t need approval from others to do my job well.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Audacity

Click Here to Listen to My Lesson on Music and Diversity!

Download this Lesson! (right click and save)

Can I say that this assignment was excruciatingly painful? Nevertheless, it was interesting and could be a useful tool for project-based learning as well as for teaching an endless variety of activities in the regular education classroom. The lesson I chose, Diversity or Multicultural Awareness, incorporates a song that is familiar to most everyone even if it isn't a celebrated occasion in all parts of the world. "Happy Birthday" is presented in several different languages and the lesson could be extended beyond that to include how bithdays are recognized in different parts of the world. The students are able to communicate their customs and traditions with their classmates or have guests can come in to share as well.
The standards that this assignment encompasses include but are not limited to the following:
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
a. model creative and innovative thinking
b. engage students in solving real problems using digital tools and resources
c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to clarify students’ understanding thinking, planning,
and creativity
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
a. design relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity
, and assess their own progress
b. develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities, set  their own educational goals, manage their own learning
c. customize and personalize learning activities to address students’ diverse learning styles
3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
a. demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer  that  knowledge to new  situations
c. communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital-age media and formats
d. model and facilitate effective use of current and emerging digital tools  and resources to support research and learning
4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
c. promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information
d. develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures
5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
a. participate in local and global learning communities to explore creative applications of technology to improve student learning
 d. contribute to the effectiveness, vitality, and self-renewal of the teaching profession and of their school and community
Copyright © 2008, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education), 1.800.336.5191 (U.S. & Canada) or 1.541.302.3777 (Int’l), iste@iste.org, www.iste.org. All rights reserved.