Reflections Week Two EDLD 5363

     I have not had much experience using video making software. I used some with an old recorder about 25 years ago. My how times have changed. I was fascinated by the ease and simplicity of the software. There are so many functions and tasks that can be performed with them. I tried Pinnacle  (free) and Windows Movie Maker. I chose WMM and found in great. I really enjoyed the project and felt a sense of achievement upon completion.
     I find the collaboration with Nicole, cohort 23 peer, the most helpful. We can communicate and work through difficult aspects of the assignment. I am looking forward to collaborating with larger group for the Public Service Announcement Project in weeks 3-5.
    Okay! Now for the constructive criticism. I hope it comes across as such. The discussion boards are fun and interesting communicating with cohort peers, But the requirements for posting are confusing. Too much conflicting information between syllabus, assignment,and overviews. I also find the web conferences a source of constant frustration. I understand the technology glitch part, but it is frustrating none the same. This week I tried to get on and was booted out once. I had to leave due to late conference start and parent conferences on another occasion. Read the wrong course document and planned on 6 PM time on Saturday, only to find out it was 10 AM (8 AM PST, my time). I will try and be there tonight, Sunday at 6 PM PST. I did get to about 30 minutes of one last Sunday and heard a lot about week one. I hope that I can start to enjoy these web conferences soon. My hopes are high.

Lawrence Wetjen  EDLD 5363 / ET 8038

Reflections Week One EDLD 5363

            The assignment for the first week looked like it would overwhelm me. However, I found it pleasant and easy-paced. I am becoming more comfortable navigating through EPIC and my time management skills are being honed.

            The Digital Cookbook reading was excellent. I am ordering the download. I used the advice given regarding the 4x6 card helping to keep the story short. I love Mark Twain and the quote they used about not having time to write a short story is one of my favorites. It is rewarding for me to be able to edit my writing and make it concise and powerful.

            I really enjoyed collaborating with Nicole Wollford this week and look forward to working with her in the larger group in week 3-5. Her insight and peer review were most helpful. She kept the pace moving and the assignments were completed with time to spare.

            The use of the software Photo Story 3 was great. I really enjoyed the simplicity of it. This was my first time uloading to YouTube. My digital story My Journey to Butte Falls looked good to me. Each class I take gives me more expertise in the use of these digital tools. I find it stimulating and enjoyable. I cannot emphasize enough how much I have learned.

            I attended the web conference on Sunday 11/13/11 at 6PM. I entered the room at 5:55, probaly a little too late to ensure a spot in room. I will make a more concerted effort to be at least 30 minutes early for this conference. I was having so much trouble technically that I wasn't able to fully grasp the conversations. I apologize for not allowing enough time. I hope to attend at least two more conferences and post reflections in week 5.
           I attended the web conference Sunday 11/20/11. I thought that it would cover week two. But, I saw that it was mostly covering problems and questions about week one. I did get to hear some information about week two assignment. However I had to leave and edit my YouTube video, wiki and blog to show new cut version of digital story. I learned more tech tools to delete files from YouTube,  and re-post. I learned more about editing and narration on photo story.

Lawrence Wetjen

EDLD 5363  ET 8038My Journey to Butte Falls

Final Reflections EDLD 5301

I found EDLD 5301 Research for Teachers to be very informative and enlightening. The lectures, assignments, web conferences, and collaboration with cohort peers were very insightful. While they did raise more questions and at times I was confused on some points, I was able to research and answer these questions raised.

The lectures by Dr Elvis Arterbury and Dr. Steve Jenkins were very informative. The first week’s lecture explained the reasoning behind the formation of this course and its purpose. Dr Aterbury explained the difference between traditional research and the action research. The action research plan is a system of collecting data to address a problem. The action research benefits and improves schools and student performance. The lectures continued in the following weeks to explain questions that were cropping up during the course. The lectures also allowed me to focus deeper on my action research plan. They gave me a definite purpose for performing this research plan.

Both textbooks in this course were fabulous. I found Leading with Passion and Knowledge, to be very informative. It was well written and organized. It led me through the development of my action research plan. It also gave me an idea of what action is required to improve on my plan. The texts explained the purpose and the benefits of the action research plan. The authors went further to explain the process and benefits of becoming a lifelong lead learner.

My assignments for this course were rather enjoyable. I was anxious about the time required to complete these assignments. This anxiety was based on the previous course and my inability to efficiently navigate the courseware. The peer review and collaboration to change, revise, and improve our action research plan was of great benefit to me. I found that networking with fellow cohort members was rather enjoyable. The collaboration relieved some of the stress and allowed me to focus clearly on my plan.

The initial research I have been conducting has really piqued my interest and aroused my passion for this topic. I started with the usual electronic research and read though some professional journals that I thought would be helpful. The electronic searches revealed a lot of commercial enterprises. It did not reveal many research based, data driven practices or findings. I went about asking questions and was provided some local resources to contact. I have interviewed professors and faculty at Southern Oregon University. These people are currently involved in research on my topic and or implementing practices I will use in my action research plan.

Overall, I have found this class stimulating. I have a new found passion to become a better, leader, educator and lifelong learner. I am enjoying the networking of others in this field and learning what developments are out there. I look forward to actually reflecting on my own research and making decisions based on my own findings.

Fichman, N. D. (2009). Leading with passion and knowledge: The principal as action researcher. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Harris, S. E. (2010). Examining what we do to improve our schools: 8 steps to improve our schools. Eye on Education Press.

EDLD 5301 Week 4 Reflections

     This week the most important thing was the revelation that this program is giving me a higher level of learning. I am not just studying others ideas, but developing these ideas myself. These ideas are mine derived from research of others and myself, collaboration with peers, and assistance from Lamar faculty.
      I am finding this very exciting, and rejuvenating my passion for teaching special needs students. I have also found that peer collaboration is a fantastic tool for relieving some of the anxiety and stress. I am looking forward to the next week of EDLD 5301 and working with my peers in future classes at Lamar.

EDLD 5301 Week 3 Reflection

      I have learned that the more I reflect on the topic the clearer the focus. I have started to set up a network of people that are researching the use of assistive technology for reading. This should give me some insight into literature to review as well as some hands on experience with the topic and research in general..
      The topic is very interesting to me and I can work on this project as part of my job. It will improve the school and it inspires me. I find that when I see practical uses, and it is of interest to me, it becomes easier to accomplish. I am excited about the project.


EDLD 5301 / ET8038

Action Research Plan

Action Planning Template
Goal: To study the effect of text to speech and audio devices on success in the academic environment for students with learning disabilities in reading. Action Research Question: What academic gains will be achieved using technology to access instructional materials by students with specific learning disabilities?
Action Steps(s):	Person(s) Responsible:	Timeline: Start/End	Needed Resources	Evaluation
Conduct search for literature and other sources of information on use of audio and text to speech applications to access instructional materials.	Self	Start: 10/18/11 End: 12/30/11	Internet searches, interviews with Southern Oregon University Disability Resource Center. Contact with BookShare, Oregon Department of Education Technology program. Textbook Publishers	N/A
Collect pre study data on target group.	Self	Start: 10/18/11 End: 12/30/11	AimsWeb benchmark and progress monitoring data. Oregon State Assessment scores in Reading, Math, & Science (OAKS). SWIS-Discipline referrals. Teacher interviews and observations	N/A
Implementation of assistive technology in classroom for use by target group Continual review of study to revise and analyze data and plan.	Self, administration, general ed teachers. Self, site mentor, PLTs	Start: 1/3/12 End  12/15/12 Start: 10/18/11 End: 12/15/12	e-readers, MP3 players, laptops & tablets with text to speech applications. Audio text discs State assessment data, grades, teacher reports, discipline records, AimsWeb data.	Progress monitor with grades, interviews, review of student discipline referrals, teacher reports. State assessment data will be taken  three times during each school year.
Collection of post study data	Self, site mentor, gen ed teachers, PLTs	Start: 11/15/12 End: 12/15/12	State assessment data, grades, teacher reports, discipline records, AimsWeb data.	State assessment scores in core subjects, teacher reports, discipline records, student interviews. Grades, AimsWeb data.

EDLD 5301 Week Two Reflection

          I have a clearer understanding of the process of the action research project. It is an evolving project. It will take some time to narrow the focus of the project. I realize that there are many tasks that are required in this program that I directly link to my work. It does make it relevant and exciting.