My blog assignment #4 (Action Research)

Action Research

What are the benefits of action research?

What experiences do you have conducting research that could help you in this process?

What questions do you have?

The action research process can help us understand what is happening in our classroom and identify changes that improve teaching and learning. Action research can help answer questions that we have about the effectiveness of specific instructional strategies, the performance of specific students, and classroom management techniques.

According to Melinda Kolk. "Believe it or not, teachers are probably doing some form of research already. Every time you change a lesson plan or try a new approach with your students, you are engaged in trying to figure out what works. Even though you may not acknowledge it as formal research, you are still investigating, implementing, reflecting, and refining your approach".

For the purposes of EDCS 480 course, I will focus on technology integration in my classroom. Collecting sources of data include observation and interviews. As my students observe, they will want to type or write notes or dictate their observations into a cell phone, iPod, or PDA. They may want to keep a journal during the process, or even create a blog or wiki to practice their technology skills as they collect data.

The Action Research Cycle: 1. identification of problem area, 2. Collection and organization of data, 3. Interpretation of data 4. Action based on data and 5. Reflection are a cycle of inquiry and reflection. During the process, we will determine: 
1) Where we are
 2) Where we want to be  
3) How we are going to get there. Action research also helps us take charge of our personal professional development. As I research potential solutions and are exposed to new ideas, I will identify the skills, management, and instructional training needed to make the changes I want to see. I am looking forward to seeing the changes that will occur in my classroom through my own action research project. 

Some of the questions I have about action research are: 
What strategies do you already know that might help you get there?

Which of these ideas do you think might work better than what you are currently doing?

(From Kirk Lewin, 1994) “Your ideas and experience combined with action research are a powerful formula for effective change”!

Resources

Grady, M.P. (1998). Qualitative and Action Research. Bloomington: Phi Delta Kappa

Educational Foundation.

Sagor, R. (2005). The Action Research Handbook. Thousand Oaks:
Corwin Press.

adventuretoawholenewworldof21stcentury: Post #1 (Philosophy)

adventuretoawholenewworldof21stcentury: Post #1 (Philosophy): ABOUT MYSELF Greetings! My name is Petesa Tuliloa-Paselio. I am a happily married mother of two lovely children (1girl &amp...

my blog 3 assingment (Integrating Technology in the classroom)

Integrate Technology in the Classroom

we integrate technology as a means of sharing information and communicating with one another, and also offer opportunities to enhance my student’s cognitive and social abilities. Integrating technology in my classroom can expose my students to animals, objects, people, landscapes, activities, and places that they cannot experience in person. It can also help my students save, document, revisit, and share their real-life experiences through images, stories, and sounds.

The SAMR (The Substitution Augmentation Modification Redefinition Model) a

method of how computer technology might impact teaching and learning. It also shows our development with educational technology often follow as we progress through teaching and learning with technology. Modification level is where technology is being used more effectively not to do the same task using different tools but to redesign new parts of the task and transform students learning. Last year I had my students write an essay around the theme “Celebrate what’s Around Us”, after they done writing their essay I have them read their essay in front of the class while an audio recording of the essay is made along with the original musical soundtrack. The whole purpose of the recording is to play in front of parents, principal and of course the whole class during PTC (Parents Teachers Association). While all my students are learning similar writing skills, the reality of an authentic audience give each student has a personal stake in the quality of the work. Computer technolog is necessary for my classroom to function 

Assignment #2: Digital Citizenship

Educating Teachers, parents and Community on Digital Citizenship

Technology has changed children’s lives. In fewer than 30 years, we have gone from barely hearing about cell phones, laptops, and MP3 players to almost not being able to live without them. Many of us can’t get away from our e-mail, instant messaging, or the Internet, even on vacation, because we now have mobile devices that we carry with us all the time. Some of us feel lost without our cell phones, laptops, or MP3 players to the point of being almost unable to function. With all this technology, do we ever stop to ask, “Am I using this technology appropriately?” or does this thought even enter our minds? If we do think about it, are we teaching students to become more responsible with their behavior, and does this carry over when they
go home? Do we have a “common language” that we can use to talk to students and parents about appropriate technology behavior? We can’t teach them if we can’t reach them. (Suzie Nestico, 2011)

According to Caroline Knorr on her article is that teachers, parents and the community are responsible for educating and learning alongside of adolescents, teachers should absolutely have a facebook account. We cannot teach appropriate digital citizenship if you cannot model it. Period.  Many schools do discourage it and of course, rightfully, discourage “friending” students. But the bottom line is this the world is changing fast and if we want to understand how our students operate, we've got to learn the tools ourselves. No one can tell you. It has to be experienced, first-hand.

Students are bored & disengaged often because we are not communicating with them at their level. Part of being a responsible Digital Citizenship as a teacher is being in the know. And, no, I do not mean creeping around our students’ Facebook pages ad blurring the boundaries of our relationships with students. As educators, we have to be using the technology in order to protect ourselves, as well. In today’s touchy society, it is difficult to protect ourselves from liabilities we don’t think of too often.  We cannot do this unless we first understand this.  We need to learn it not only to teach our students, but also to teach and protect ourselves. According to Common Sense Media Video it talks about the safe and responsible online behavior means being a good cyber citizen. We live in a rapidly changing media and tech world in which kids are far more plugged in digitally than parents and teachers are, and these technologies present huge challenges for our kids and how they grow up. 

Post #1 (Philosophy)

ABOUT MYSELF

Greetings! My name is Petesa Tuliloa-Paselio. I am a happily married mother of two lovely children (1girl & two boys) whom I adored very much, and a wife to a loving husband who was and will always is my number one supporter in life. I am from a very happy family with precious parents and siblings, who are always there to give me strength and the will to move forward. 

The four most important things I value in life are: religion, family, education, and my culture. For this reason, first and foremost, let the glory be unto the Almighty God. I sing praise to you Lord for your endless love and protection. Your guidance has enabled me to survive hardships and overcome obstacles through my educational journey.

MY EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY:

I started my career as an educator on August 10th, 1996. In other words it has been seventeen years now since I have chosen teaching as my profession. I am still on an educational journey to further my education so that I can become a competent as well as an effective lead teacher in the classroom.

I was a Front Desk Clerical at the Rainmaker Hotel before I became a teacher. Becoming a teacher was the last thing on my mind. However, when I got married and gave birth to my first child, my mind started to wonder how am I going to help my child when she attends school. Will I be able to guide her when she needs help on her homework? Do I have the knowledge as a teacher to educate her? These were the wonder questions that motivated me to get a job in the teaching field. I wanted to be trained as a teacher so that I could be able to teach my own child. Anyhow, what started out, as a regular job for me now becomes my passion? 

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. -John Q. Adams Go confidently in the directions of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined. -Henry Theresa Yes, we must do all and give it all, when it comes to fostering knoledge. Honesty is the strongest Convictions to be equiped with! My sweet inspirations. A few of the many lives that have impacted my educational life. MY PARENTS I LOVE THEM TO NO END... ]

My beautiful mom, siblings, nieces, and in-laws

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Oh! how I love and cherish my family so much. No words could ever describe how much I appreciate them. To all my relatives near and afar. Thank you for your support, prayers, and especially your words of encouragement. I am confident that my journey will reach its destination because of your never- ending support. A family is a blessing and so is mine.