Session 8

Data collecting is something I think that teachers are very familiar with. It is our primary source of information to see how our students are understanding the material that we are teaching them in the class. I use several types of data collection in my class, some computer generated and some paper formed.
The computer generated data is collected through several computer programs that I use. I use Easy Grader Pro to collect the students grades on my computer. This program allows me to save all the grades in categories of subject matter and it also keeps record of attendance, missing assignments, failed assignments and most importantly, their GPA. At any time, I can pull up the Grade Pro and I can tell a student their grade and GPA in an instant. As opposed to the old days where you would have to average out grades by hand and the student would have to wait until you had time to do that.
Another computer program that I use is Study Island. This is an Internet based program that the students use to test their knowledge on any subject matter and skill. The students are taught the lesson and review the lesson by doing the skill activities on this website. I then have them take a post test (and sometimes the pretest) on the lesson and the computer will send me their scores, class average, class placement, and how the tested. In other words, were the guessing on all the questions or were they really trying to answer the question correctly the first time. This is a great way to get a computer generated data collection on the students quickly.
My school also uses AR (Accelerated Reader) which the students use to test their knowledge on a book that they read on their own. Each student are working toward a personal goal set by the teacher and when they reach their mini goals or their final goal, they receive a prize usually set up by the teacher. This program provides the teachers with quick, easy to read forms on who are taking tests, how they are doing and how close they are to their goal.
As far as paper formed data collection, I have a suggestion box in my classroom where the students provide me with feedback on how they think the class is going and if there are any improvements that they think should be made in order for the class to be more fun and interactive. This is not a formal assessment of data, but it is quick way to ask the students for feedback. The students are usually very honest with their suggestions. I will also be sending out two surveys this year on how the parents felt my communication with them was as well as how helpful my website is for them and their student. The other survey will go to the students regarding the same concerns. This type of data is also very useful in evaluating you teaching strategies and how you can improve as a professional. Just like test scores, you can learn from their suggestions.

Activity Log:
I worked on putting together the PowerPoint project on Unitedstreaming. Made sure to have all the images understandable and to make sure that I narrated the PowerPoint Correctly. I attend the CUE confernece for all three days in Palm Springs. The confernece was very educational and fun. This saturday was my birthday, so I didn't post my blog that day because I was out with family. I then posted my blog on sunday and commented on three peoples blogs. Now I am getting my research together to finish up my project 3 to be ready for next week.