LMS&0 blog

·      Is there a connection between the data produced from your Cycles and the research reported in your Literature Review?

The data produced or recorded during the two Cycles did vary from each other, due largely to the winter weather in Cycle 1.  The attendance improved slightly (nine absences in Cycle 1 compared to six absences in Cycle 2).  In Cycle 1, the regular schedule was interrupted by cancelations and school delays. 

My research statement asked the question, “If technology (digital storytelling) was used with middle school students, then would attendance improve?”  The research data was recorded and observed during the two Cycles.  The connection was what was the students’ attendance during the Cycles.

* How will LMO impact your Action Research project?

LMO and the ADDIE model have helped by analyzing the project, designing the project, developing the project, implementing the project and evaluating the project (formative, summative).  I would have liked for the LMO (Schoology) to be presented earlier in the Full Sail classes to use with the AR project.  I understand that it is a fairly new program.

* How important is online content delivery or personal learning environments to your Action Research project?

Personal learning environments have helped to formulate the project with technology ideas and implementation.  Without, say iWeb, the AR project would be very difficult to put together online.  Excellent program to work with to produce the AR project.

Action Research Blog

What is your official problem statement?

If I used digital storytelling with the after-school students, then will the digital storytelling keep the students attending after-school regularly?


How did your research end up shaping this?

With the EBSOCOHOST search, I found quite a few articles about how digital storytelling has been used with students. The articles seem to be adaptive to what my project entails. I was surprised that so many articles were available. However, I had to make sure that these articles used the research for how digital storytelling affected student and not just a “how to do” article on DS.


What outcomes are you expecting?

To be truthful, I did not know what to expect. I had contacted Kathy Craven from Full Sail University and she said that she didn’t know of much research with digital storytelling. I was afraid that I would not find any articles about DS and research. But, the EBSOCOHOST search yielded a good number. Plus, I want to describe my after-school experience with the students.


How are your critical friends helping in this process?

My Critical Friends, except for one, are also involved with their projects. I haven’t been able to contact all of them. I think that Diigo group will certainly help in that regard. I feel that once I write the first draft of the Literature Review and start writing the description of the project, my friends will have more to review and offering constructive criticism.

How is this month’s course helped in shaping your ARP?

This month’s ETC course has been a challenge for me. I have never blogged before, to anyone, anywhere. I have learned from this experience of how to communicate with blogging. Also, this month’s course has helped in refining and posting the literature/articles to the AR site and blogsite. This has helped in completing the task of reviewing the articles and choosing the articles that relate to the Action Research.

Final Video - Persuasion Message: What is the greatest need for change in our school?

Computer Lab Use

Computer Lab Use

Practical Experience - Week 4 - Animoto Part 3

Please click on the above HyperLink to view the final product/video "Computer Lab Use"

Practical Experience Week 4 - Animoto Part 2

For this part for the Animoto, the pictures/video can be uploaded into the picture frame slots.

The next photo shows the music genre available for use.  The video in the basic program is only 30 sec.  Your videos are saved on the program and they can be shared with others, as they can share videos with you (social application).

Practical Experience Week 4 - Animoto Part 1

Practical Experience - ANIMOTO  Week 4 Web Tool  Part 1

For this week’s Web 2.0 tool, I have chosen Animoto.  The site has three (3) levels of the program, basic (free), all access ($30 a year), or Pro level ($250  a year).  The basic level gives you an idea of what the program is capable of producing with photos and videos.

The next photo shows the opening project page.  After you choose which plan you want (I chose Basic), this page opens with Photos/Video, Music, and Create Video.  I used photos taken with the iPhone/iPhoto.

W4 - Reading - Action Research articles

Hodge and Wright (2010)  This article shows hands on learning, using digital storytelling in the classroom.  Also, technology use and how teachers can "weave" technology in their plans are viewed.

Landgran & Allbrandi (2008)  Social studies subject matter is used with digital storytelling to integrate technology with middle school students.  Practical application of technology for teachers who want to use it with social studies lessons.

Kulla-Abbott and Polman (2008)  The authors explore how students can lend their voices to their own digital stories.  Curriculum goals are also explored in this article and how technology can help reach these goals.

Sadik (2008)  Engaging students with the digital storytelling and technology is viewed in this article.  The article provides important information that is valuable to my action research project about digital storytelling.