RTP Progress Report #2

Barbara Bloemers

December 19, 2006
How is it going? What has happened since your last report?
This is the 2 of 5 progress reports regarding my reflective teaching project of Designing Professional Development to Increase Technology Integration in the Workplace. Since my last report I have designed the preliminary survey questions, set up the survey using SurveyMonkey, instructed staff to take the survey.
How you are progressing towards the next phase of your project work?
I have just compiled the 10 surveys to which to begin the implementation of the technology classes.
In addition, a website for tutorials has been completed. You may visit the website at: http://www.msu.edu/~bloemer3/KeepingUpwithTechnologyatWork.htm
Are there any issues or problems that have been temporary roadblocks?
Several staff changes have necessitated several delays. I have received the completed surveys of the two employees that have transferred into the department effective 12/18/06.
How have your addressed these issues or problems? Is there anything you would do differently next time?
Since the two open positions were to be filled before year end, I have waited for these people to come into the department and complete the surveys. With the turmoil caused be staffing, 2007 budget and merit goals, implementing any intervention would not have resulted in a positive outcome.
Your data collection thus far.
The surveys are all in.
How is it going?
Next step will be working on the analysis of the surveys.
What does the data you are collecting tell you about the impact of your intervention (what is it capturing)?
Still info gathering.
What (if anything) is it missing?
I am not aware that the survey or intervention to be missing anything.
Are there any adjustments you need to make?
At this time, there are no adjustments to be made.
.
Listed below are summaries of the Skype conference calls from other in the Teaching Tech to Adults group which includes: Patty Watson, Mark Brookes, Jeff Adjie and myself.
Skype Communicaton
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Re: Tech with Adults ~ Skype Meeting 11/5/06
Mark Brookes () at 11/6/2006 7:23 AM
Hi
Well I have been out of contact for a couple of weeks now and have been sifting through my enormous inbox.
First week - Egypt - loved it.
Second week - now - Budapest for work and my hotel has a wireless network (not the inroom cable as promised) so I am sitting in the lobby on the lounge checking mail.
I should be able to skype this sunday. I think the main topic for conversation will be the revised plans that we all seem to have forgotten, oops Zac. It isnt that I completely forgot it, it is that I seem to be unable to read a calendar. To be honest, the only modification I have is that my timeplan will change. Thanks to Kathryn in summer, I think my overall plan managed to take into account what I need to do. I guess I have 9 hours in Istanbul airport on the way back to work on it. Assuming I can sneek into the Business lounge again to get internet.
Good news for Patty, DoDDs finally let her work.
Mark
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Tech with Adults ~ Skype Meeting 11/5/06
Barbara Bloemers () at 11/5/2006 5:01 PM / Edit
Patti and Barbara connected today.Mark and Jeff were unable to access.Patti advised that she finally got approval from DoDDS to implement her plan.Barbara is in the midest of revising her proposal.Next meeting is planned for 5:00 GMT, or Noon EST on Sunday, November 12th.Patti advised that she will be returning from a Veterans' Day weekend and may be late.
Skype Meeting, Nov. 12, 2006
Barbara Bloemers () at 11/13/2006 8:33 PM / Edit
Finally got all four of us together for a chat.We discussed each of our progress to date.Pat and I are beginning our implementation.Mark is moodling along.Jeff seems pretty well set.Although not too specific on details in this report, we did talk for more than an hour despite Jeff's slow internet service and Mark's temporary loss of connection due to power surges.I am still awed at this!!
Plan to make contact again next Sunday (Noon East Lansing time). I'm will contact Zach to see if he will be able to join in.
Meeting minutes for 19Nov06
Patty Watson () at 11/19/2006 1:22 PM
Re: Meeting minutes for 19Nov06
Zachary Breck Mural () at 12/2/2006 7:15 PM
(Zach’s comments in blue font).
Zach, we'd like you to join us one week, preferably the first weekend in December? to make sure we're on the right track. ...
I'm sorry I can't be there this week (Sunday is a tough day for me... but if everyone feels it is necessary I will see what I can do).
-How should we be collecting and using the data we collect so far?
The type of data your collecting will vary across your projects.Basically you are all asking the question, "how is what I'm adding/doing differently making a difference?".To answer this question you need to know how the change is impacting your participants (in comparison to previous experiences/or those who aren't able to utilize the improvements.).Surveys, interviews, group discussions, test/quizzes, etc. can all work.Once you have collected some data you'll need to "see" what it tells you.Does the change you've implemented seem to make a difference?How much of a difference?Any idea why (could be from the literature search) the change made a differnce?
-What sort of feedback should we be expecting on our submissions?
The amount of feedback varies based on the assignment and issues you may have missed or questions I have.You should be able to see your grade as well as the feedback I've given either in the ANGEL gradebook or by returning to the dropbox where you submitted the assignment and clicking on your submission (one exception is revised proposals which for some reason are not in the gradebook and have to be viewed through the dropbox).You can assume that you are on the right track unless I've pointed to an issue but please don't hesitate to email me if you have ANY specific questions.
-Have you heard about/seen used an eBeam?
I have not. what is it? why do you ask?
One final note.I realize that this is very different from other academic experiences you've had.The purpose of this project is to help you find ways that you can think critically about changes that you make in the course of your work (both why to make the change and how to know if it works).Presumably most of you have done this informally for years and will continue well after you've completed the program.The reason we have put together the groups is so that you can seek and offer assistance as you move forward with the more "formal" pieces of the project.I am more than happy to offer assistance but I want to be sure that you have explored other options (colleagues, other students, etc.) before I do to support your future independent efforts.
I think that is it for now, I hope you have a good call and please let me know if there are other questions.
-Zach
Skype Call ~Dec 3, 2006
Barbara Bloemers () at 12/4/2006 7:55 PM
Barbara and Jeff were able to connect on Sunday.Discussed roadblocks in implementing plan which included unplanned fire drills, staff changes, holidays, etc.We also discussed ideas for tutorials.Enjoyed discussing Christmas traditions in different cultures.Plan another skype call next Sunday providing the Internet is up and running.
Sorry guys,
I had a touch of food poisoning I think and was out of action. I went to bed early on Sunday and completely forgot the Skype call.
Hopefully I should be online next week.
Did you all see the responses Zack left on the questions that were sent?
Mark
Skype Meeting 10th Dec
Mark Brookes () at 12/14/2006 11:09 AM
Well the meeting went ahead on Dec 10, minus Patty.
Maybe she had too good a time in Morocco and didn't come back, or she has been sold into slavery to some Arab King.
Well I write this while in bed (thank you to the god of laptops) recovering from my second stint of food poisoning. Mental note - Mushroom soup is off the menu.
The meeting last week went well. There was little more to add than for previous weeks as leading up to the holidays, little gets done due to all the other 'things' that happen.
After the holidays period. Most of us are going to be getting into the thick of it and processing our data that we have been collecting. So this should make for some exciting conversations in the future.
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