eJournal 2 _Analyzing Problems & Analyzing Context

Backwards Planning Model for Performance Analysis Needs

A. What will motivate them to learn and perform?

·         Once a module is opened, the module will remain open then close as indicated. This is done to help the entire class stay on track. 

·         To stimulate your cultural enrichment, some of the modules will include material to examine some aspect of cultural enrichment. 

·        The course is very rigorous. In higher education, the responsibility to learn falls squarely on the student, as an adult. I want you to be successful. I want each of you to fully master this material.

B. What activities or experiences will help them learn?

1. Participation in Discussions

·         Discussion questions and student interaction are the means for staying engaged in the course and for building the online community. Proper grammar, punctuation, and full words and sentences are expected. To earn points for the discussion the posts must be thoughtful, fully answer the question(s), respectful of the class, and posted within the current module. Late posts are not accepted. For full points, students are expected to respond with substance and to respond to at least three learners. Those responses should be with substance (‘I agree’ will not work) and adhere to the other rules for discussions noted above.

2. Reflection

·         Reflection can be a valuable tool in teaching and study. An article will be available in Doc Sharing for your consideration. The article details the value of becoming a critically reflective learner and teacher. The reflection part is private and individual to the student and will not be read by the teacher unless the student chooses to share the reflection.

·         There will be some quizzes and time-management articles to help the learner. The additional skills and concepts will aid in planning, developing, and completing a ePortfolio.

C. What do performers need to do to reach objective?

·         The best way to learn about research is to fully engage in the process. Well planned research shows in the final product just as poorly planned research is reflected.  Students will actively participate in their own research and contribute with quality, thoughtful feedback to their peers. A wide variety of instructional methods will be utilized to provide meaningful learning experiences, including group problem-solving activities, self-assessments, independent research, and projects. The final result will be artifacts placed in your ePortfolio.

D. What is my objective in this performance analysis?

•  The problem I want to address is the lack of training in researching skills that will carry over into technology integration.
• Knowing the names of this technology and where to find it on the web is not enough.
• One of our biggest needs in Higher Ed is effective researching skills.

          Student Learning Outcomes:

Learning outcomes are what you are able to do as a result of the activities, readings, instruction, etc. that have taken place in this course - these are my expectations of you!

1. The learner will be an active and engaged team member within his/her learning community by analyzing, constructing/creating, and evaluating information presented within the textbook, external readings/resources, student research, and class activities in order to contribute to and develop a research proposal.

2. The learner will compare and contrast different research designs and distinguish quantitative and qualitative methods.

3. The learner will prepare and execute steps in the process of research in the form of  2 projects.

_The learner will identify and select research articles.

·        _The learner will collect and analyze relevant empirically based research and write a Journal Article /      Abstract Critique and an Emerging Technologies Project.

·        _The learner will develop the purpose and research questions to address the projects.

·        _The learner will properly format and cite research via the APA 6^th edition publication style.

4. The learner will participate in discussions with group members providing constructive and thoughtful feedback to the construction and development of their projects.

    

      Below is a link that has information about the organization being targeted in this analysis:

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_A&M_University-Commerce

Analysis of Performance Context

·         _The designer must be concerned about the characteristics of the setting in which the skills and knowledge will be used.

·        _ Know the environment in which our learners will be using their new skills.
    
   Aspects of the Context Analysis are:

   1) Support of Manager or Supervisor

·        The Department of Educational Leadership at Texas A & M University-Commerce graduates more than 400 students each year and produces more than 15,000 semester credit hours (SCH). Faculty utilizes a variety of innovative teaching processes to reach a diversified student population across the state

.

   2) Organizations Physical Aspects

·         Texas A&M University-Commerce provides a personal educational experience for a diverse community of life-long learners. Our purpose is to discover and disseminate knowledge for leadership and service in an interconnected and dynamic world. Our challenge is to nurture partnerships for the intellectual, cultural, social and economic vitality of the Northeast Texas region and beyond.

    3) Social Aspects of the Organization

·        Upon completion of this Master's program, students will have developed important skills sought in a variety of settings and an electronic portfolio to market their knowledge, skills, and abilities to potential employers. Specifically, graduates of the Educational Technology-Leadership program will:

  Ø  Develop a philosophy of educational technology that shapes their visions reflected in a variety of areas from the role of technology in current and future personal and professional settings.

  Ø  Utilize best research practices in order to make informed decisions regarding the effectiveness/impact of technology integration.

  Ø  Demonstrate effective communication, media, information, and technological literacy skills applicable within current and future personal and professional settings.

  Ø  Effectively design, develop and integrate a variety of technological applications that are appropriate within current and future personal and professional settings.

   4) Skills to Workplace Relevance

     I. Use technology-related terms, concepts, data, input strategies, and ethical practices to make informed decisions of current technologies and their applications.

     II. Identify task requirements, apply search strategies, and use current technology to efficiently acquire, analyze, and evaluate a variety of electronic information.

     III. Use task-appropriate tools to synthesize knowledge, create and modify solutions, and evaluate. results in a way that supports the work of individuals and groups in problem solving situations

     IV. Communicate information in different formats for diverse audiences.

     V. Plan, organize, deliver, and evaluate instruction for all students that incorporate the effective use of current technology for teaching. Students will be able to integrate the technology applications of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) into the curriculum. 

Context Analysis process format adapted from site link:

http://www.othmanismail.com/classes/ALS480/ALS480_StudentsWork/Chap5_Grp2A.pdf

eJournal 1_Systematic Process of the 5 Why's

"The art and science of asking questions is the source of all knowledge."-Thomas Berger

My Instructional Project (at least for now) will be a developing of a course I want to teach here called ETEC 424 “Integrating Technology into Curriculum”. Since this is a working course here I desire to put my own spin to it. In developing this course, I will focus on one unit rather than the whole course that will cover a 2 to 3 week period.

My project will address the importance of using web 2.0 in the classroom. Tools such as Teacher Tube, wiki’s, blogs, and etc., will be covered. The problem I want to address is since most students know what these tools are I feel that they are lacking in how this emerging technology is best utilized in the classroom.

This problem occurs because there is a lack of training in the use of technology integration and too much training in the area of technology discovery. Knowing the names of this technology and where it’s at on the web isn't enough.

I want established teachers, new teachers, and student teachers to be able to properly research, and implement emerging technology into their curriculum, so that the students will be able to research effectively for themselves, problem-solve, think critically, think deeper, collaborate with their peers, and be successful in any endeavor they choose as they move in their future in the 21^st century with 21st century educational skills.