Temporary Action Research Blog
1. Describe in detail the measurement tools you used for Cycle 1 such as quantitative, qualitative or a mixed approach.
The summative data was a mixed approach. A survey was given to assess quantitative data on teachers’ engagement with Google Docs, implementation, the material presented, and the participants’ reactions to the instructional lessons. Pre- and Post-surveys measured the viewers opinions on the ScreenFlow tutorial videos. There were ten questions and the feedback came from the survey and one face-to-face interview with video recording. Overall there were all positive responses. Every participant felt more prepared to implement, facilitate, and encourage students’ use of Google Docs.
I was only able to have one face-to-face and actually video record one participant (qualitative) for feedback on what he thought and how he felt about the tutorials. He said instruction was very clear, he gained valuable knowledge from watching the tutorials, and was very enthusiastic about using this form of communication, and suggested I do more on the collaboration and sharing.
The participants had a few suggestions that would help improve the tutorials. It was said there was not enough stimulation in the tutorials, and thought there should be some subtle background music, something soothing. One suggestion was I make several smaller tutorials, 3-5 minutes each in length, that I inform participants beforehand that it would be better for them to open Google Docs, and walk through it with me for better understanding, and that the video tutorial could be resized to view larger by just clicking on it. Also, be sure to mention it will take them to YouTube, where they can then resize it a second time in full screen mode.
It was also suggested that people are very visual, and if I wanted to draw attention and/or focus peoples attention I could create a background that would capture the visual as well as the audio.
One other question that I still have to research further is: “what do presenters wear in a virtual collegiate environment?”
2. If Cycle 2 is not complete, please talk about what your predictions will be!
As far as my Cycle 2, I have just started my Cycle 2 preparing smaller Screenflow tutorials, and have incorporated the changes that were suggested from my Cycle 1 feedback.
I plan to use the same assessments in Cycle 2, as well as using video to record teachers working on the tutorials within collaboration and sharing.
My prediction is that with all the positive feedback I received from Cycle 1, to incorporate those suggestions as well as some of the strategies and motivational tools I learned in this class, there will be even greater positive responses to the tutorial. I am looking forward to continually finding ways to improve on the training videos, and making it more fun and engaging.
I feel that GSM helped me with my AR because I have never used or even thought about using gaming as an educational tool. GSM has showed me how there are educational benefits through using games in the classroom, and ways to use them to keep participants/students coming back. I now know better skills and concepts that are not as obvious to the eye, and can explain how they teach fine motor, problem-solving, communication skills, money management, diversity, as well as teamwork.
I found this class was very rewarding and necessary.
