Saturday, February 15, 2014

EDLD 5366 Graphic Web Design Reflection

Self Assessment

Critical reflection: I walked away from this course with a new perspective on eye appealing designs (C.R.A.P.), how simple creating a website is today versus when I first learned how to create websites a few years ago, collaborative project allowed more work to get done in less time, however, I still hate group projects because I get extremely nervous about procrastinators and my reputation is based on someone else's work. I think overall, I was shocked how simple creating a website is. Although we created one in EDLD 5311, the depth of this course gave me much more confidence and when I started looking at youtube the vast of information at our fingertips was crazy. I found when I got stumped I could go right there and find the answer or tutorial. When I couldn't figure out how to post my animation to my site I went to google and found the easiest way was to upload a youtube and embed the video. Using a tutorial from youtube (InternCraig, 2005), it was simple.

Learner Assessment:

As a learner, I did a lot of Google searches. I did recognize there is a difference in search engines and prefer Google over Searchweb or Bing search engines. I also learned a lot about YouTube and tutorials available. I utilized peers that are in my class and I also work with to suggest best avenues to complete. When I started my animation and it took over 4 hours to create, cool and tedious, but too time consuming for a 30 second clip, I heavily depended on examples which gave me step by step instructions (CheekyM0nkee, 2011). Utilizing our Google doc, we could communicate our project and help each other by assessing their work. I also asked for my friends on Facebook to evaluate our page.

Lifelong Learning Assessment:

I know I will be utilizing the C.R.A.P design principles when creating any flyer, webpage, newsletter. I now look at all advertising and communication differently learning these principles. I will also be teaching self branding in my classes utilizing the Recycle, Reduce, Recover, Reuse technique (Alcantara, 2009). Even realizing how easy logo creating is made that intriguing. Logogarden.com will be used regularly. I will be creating a webpage for my class and communicating with parents and students about activities, events, schedules etc. and I am really excited about doing that. I am looking forward to learning more about webpage building and adding more bells and whistles or gadgets to my pages. I have learned my lingo needs to be updates bells and whistles versus gadgets. I still hate collaborative projects but assessment and evaluation are super beneficial and I know collaboration is much needed in education or any work place. I will be utilizing more peer evaluations group reflections and communications to share ideas and develop personal growth by those experience with coworkers and with my students.

Citations:
Alcantara, L. (2009). The art of self-branding. Retrieved from http://www.lealea.net/blog/comments/the-art-of-self-branding-part-two/
CheekyM0nkee (2011, January 2). How To Use Stykz. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJNDBvgi8KU
InternCraig (2005, September 6). How to Upload a Video. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFyIT7rVZ0Q

Monday, February 11, 2013

Sack Lunches Approved

I am so pumped. All my research and rebuttal (even tactfulness) paid off. The director of child nutrition came and spoke with my principal and approved sack lunches for the purpose of detention! Another element of unpleasantness to detention!!! I like it! The first week I have seen an influx of student assignments but that is because more teachers are using the detention than the system before.  I anticipated this and am documenting it. I can't wait to see how the sack lunches impact students coming back.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Action Research: Care Model


Tool 8.1 CARE Model: Planning Tool
Identify Concerns that must change (look to the future)
(Assign points to concerns from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important issues to consider.)
1. Reduce unwanted behaviors in class during instruction time.
2. Current lunch detention is ineffective.
3. The need for someone to enforce repercussions for not showing up to detention.
Identify Affirmations that must be sustained (look to the present)
(Assign points to affirmations from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important issues to consider.)
1. Discipline is part of classroom management.
2. Removing social time from students is a motivator for good behavior.
3. Change in the current lunch detention is needed.
SMART Recommendations that must be implemented:
(Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Timely)
(Assign points to recommendations from 1 to 3 in the order of the most important recommendations to implement.)
1. Teachers must record detention assignments properly (google docs).
2. Detention rules must be enforced.
3. Students must be told why they are serving lunch detention.
EVALUATE – Specifically and Often
(Identify the best ways to evaluate the implemented recommendations.)
1. Google Docs form is accessible to all teachers, updates daily. Used to check in students.
2. Students sign and agree to detention rules – Facilitator is to enforce them.
3. Students write a reflection in detention on why they are in detention, who gave them detention and how can they avoid being assigned detention again. Do students understand the behaviors contributing to the assignment of detention?

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Part 3 Action Research Plan



Action Research Project
Process Overview
Lunch Detention
1.       Setting the Foundation – Teachers feel our current lunch detention plan is ineffective in reducing unwanted behaviors in the school during classes, lunch, or in the hallways. There are numerous repeat offenders assigned detention for the same offense over and over.  We, my site supervisor and I, would like to know if an isolated, firmly monitored lunch detention affect the overall number of students assigned to detention, number of repeat assignments to detention, and student behaviors in classrooms and hallways? We would like to see a reduction in attendance, a reduction in repeat offenders, and a reduction in unwanted behavior in the classroom.
2.       Analyzing Data:
a.        I will review Lunch Detention Assignment Log for number of students assigned, breakdown assignments and calculate repeat offenders, breakdown repeat offenders placed for repeat offenses.
b.      I will create a Teacher Survey evaluating current lunch detention program and current usage of program.
c.       I will research lunch detention programs via internet.
3.       Develop a Deeper Understanding:
a.        Interview with Principal, Sarah Weeks, discuss legalities of sack lunch provided over going through the cafeteria for hot meal, and discuss policies and procedures of the proposed lunch detention plan.
b.      Interview with Assistant Principal, Mike Beaupre, to discuss policies and procedures of proposed lunch detention.
c.       Meet with grade level teams to discuss policies and procedures of proposed lunch detention.
d.      I will meet with the Cafeteria Manager, Jackie White, to obtain procedures of requesting sack lunches.
e.      I will meet with Maintenance Supervisor, Robby Waller, to find a classroom with desks and chairs empty through lunches available to house lunch detention.
4.       Engage in Self-Reflection:
a.       Can I facilitate all 3 lunch detentions?
b.      If downtown does not approve sack lunches, what are our alternatives?
c.       Can I enforce all the rules to all the students in detention alone?
d.      Are there enough desks to accommodate the maximum number of students assigned lunch detention in the past?
5.       Exploring Programmatic Patterns:
a.       Will students report to the correct location for lunch detention?
b.      Will a reduction in attendance correlate with a reduction in unwanted behaviors in class and halls?
c.       Will parents have a problem with sack lunches?
d.      Is there enough time for the students to write a 200 word essay on their behavior?
e.      What will students do with extra time after writing and eating?
f.        What will be done with students there are not enough desks for?
6.       Determining Direction –
a.       I want to know if a an isolated, firmly monitored lunch detention affect the overall number of students assigned to detention, number of repeat assignments to detention, and student behaviors in classrooms and hallways?
b.      We have rearranged my schedule so that I can facilitate all 3 lunches. If downtown does not approve sack lunches, we will take them into the lunch room single filed to get their lunch and they are only allowed the regular lunch with no extra goodies.  IF there becomes a problem in the detention room, I will have a radio for assistance to the Assistant Principal, Principal, Campus Monitor and Police Liaison. If there are too many students to desk/chair ration, there are risers in the room that they will sit on, yet follow the same rules. I will be providing a list of detention students to the teachers prior to the students’ lunch who will remind students of their detention and where to report. With data collection we will find out the correlation between lunch detention and behavior and new detention verses old detention. If parents have a problem with the sack lunches, they will be referred to the principal and provided documentation of the school meeting all nutrition requirements.  Students will continue to follow the rules of sitting silently, straight forward, not looking around, waiting for the end of detention.
c.       I will meet with all grade level for their input and survey all teachers on campus. As the implantation progresses input will be asked of all teachers and administrators to keep collaboration going and reach the best results.
d.      This will be implemented until the end of the year. I will be looking at data weekly to document patters but taking an overall look in the middle (about 6 weeks into implementation) and at the end (14 week overall program). I will take the summer to review documentation and come up with results and presentation for the beginning of the new school year with recommendations of how to proceed and any ways we can enhance the program to achieve better results.
e.      With data collections, surveys and personal observations I believe I have a sound means of monitoring the project.
f.        Determining the level of success will be with data of students assigned, number of repeat offenders all compared to previous and to initial start of implementation. Also, the results of surveys from teachers will help in determining if there is a correlation in the students’ behavior in the classroom and hallways.
g.       Revisions will be made as we go and intercept issues. Recommendations will be made to the Principal and Assistant Principal for improving the plan. Adjustments will be made as necessary to accommodate the highest level of results.
7.       Taking Action for School Improvement – A written summary of results will be done and a presentation with graphs and other visuals will be made to deliver the results to all stakeholders interested.
Sustain Improvement – A presentation will be ready for professional development with graphs and other visual aids to make understanding of the program and its effectiveness easy.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Action Research Plan



Action Planning
Goal: To prove that an isolated and firmly monitored lunch detention reduces the overall number of students assigned to detention, the number of repeat assignments to detention, and the unwanted behaviors in classrooms and hallways?
Action Steps(s):
Person(s) Responsible:
Timeline: Start/End
Needed Resources
Evaluation



Find room available for lunch detention




Ginger Potts/ Principal Sara Weeks/
Head Maintenance Robby Waller
1/28-2/1
Unoccupied room from 11:15am- 1:00pm
Desks, Chairs
Walk through if set up is ready


Approval from District Cafeteria Manager for sack lunches





Ginger Potts/ Cafeteria Manager Jackie White
1/28-2/8
Letter typed
Final Approval received from District


Parent Notification





Ginger Potts/ Last Period Teachers
1/28- 2/7
Letter typed
Copies made
Distribution to students
Notification delivered to all students last period


Detention Rule Sheet






Ginger Potts
1/28-2/1
Rules approved,
Sheet typed,
Copies made
Reviewed by Assistant Principal Mike Beaupre, Approved by Principal Sarah Weeks
Lined Paper and Pencils
Ginger Potts
2/1
Supply of Lined Paper and Pencils bought to provide students
Check for efficient number of supply
Teacher Survey
Ginger Potts
1/28-2/1
Survey Monkey Site
Prepare Questions
Survey results tallied and documented
Teacher notification of new policies and procedures
Ginger Potts
1/28-2/5
Email Survey, letter with rules
Meet with teams to ensure understanding and address questions

Pull prior Lunch detention data
Ginger Potts/ Mike Beaupre
2/1
Google Doc printed
Search for patterns of repetition and how many teachers are using the system in place, record reasons for assignment.
Begin Implementation
Ginger Potts/ Mike Beaupre
2/8 – 6/7
Classroom, Sack lunches, Rule sheet, lined paper, pencil, teacher assignment document, Students
Keep track of Students assigned/reassigned, enforce rules, student survey and observations
Teacher Mid Survey
Reflection
Ginger Potts
4/15
Survey Monkey Site
prepare questions
Tally Survey Results
Document patterns
Document changes reflect on effectiveness
Teacher End Survey

Ginger Potts
6/7
Survey Monkey Site
prepare questions
Tally Survey Results
Document patterns
Compile research findings
Ginger Potts
6/7-8/1
All data and observations
Write a summary of findings
Create a graph showing visual effectiveness or ineffectiveness
Report Findings
Ginger Potts
8/1
Summary and supporting documentation
Send Report to Assistant Principal, Principal, and Teachers at School and any other interested stakeholders