https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTT9nZHT-Uo&feature=youtube_gdata

Web Conferences Reflection

     During the course EDLD 5363 we were encouraged to attend several web conferences.  During these conferences we were able to connect with our professor and also our classmates.  Most of the time is spent discussing the weekly requirements as well as the overall course requirements.  It was very beneficial to have a place to turn if there was any confusion for each assignment.
     It was also nice to be able to put a face with some names.  I have been working with several of my classmates for many weeks.  It builds on our relationships to envision each other while we are working.

Free Video Editing Software

My Support Group

Although I don't like sharing personal information too often, this was fun to put pictures/words/videos together to create a story.  This was very easy and would be great to create short videos for my classroom.  We are just now working on covalent bonds in science and I think it would be fun to create a story about two different elements and how they came together as one element!!

Action Research Plan

Action Research Plan Goal: Determine if the after school Math Mania program is improving individual student scores and raising state assessment scores. Action Step Person Responsible Timeline Start/End Needed Resources Evaluation 1. Select students that scored partially proficient on previous year assessment Myself Chris Walker Emily Kurtz Nathan Powers 10/01/12 10/26/12 Pearson Data Collection of 2011 MEAP assessment scores Previous year MEAP scores compiled and recorded Invitation list compiled 2. Invite candidates and get parental approval and commitment contracts signed Myself Chris Walker Emily Kurtz Nathan Powers 10/26/12 11/02/12 Copy of invitation Response from all candidates by 11/02/12 3. Design curriculum and lessons for 10 sessions Pre/post Tests created Myself Chris Walker 10/01/12 11/02/12 7th grade state curriculum guidelines and supplemental resources Student participation 4. Pre-test students and record data Myself Chris Walker 11/02/12 Pre-Assessment Score and Record 5. Deliver lessons Myself Chris Walker 11/02/12- 12/13/12 Lessons/games/ Prizes/etc. Formative assessments 6. Post- test students and record data Myself Chris Walker 12/13/12 Post- Assessment Score and record 7. Compare previous year’s assessment scores to the following year’s scores Myself Chris Walker 12/13/12 1/15/13 Pearson Data Collection of 2011 MEAP assessment scores and 2012 MEAP scores Graph performances 8. Present results to HVEA Foundation Myself Chris Walker 05/01/13 Completed data collection and presentation grant report Future funding granted

Passion for Inquiry

There is always room for improvement, but before the hours of research are spent it is important to find the passion for the inquiry.  What is the need?  Who will benefit?  Am I willing to make the change?  These are just a few of the reasons for a valuable inquiry.

I am fortunate to run 7th grade Math Mania this year.  This is a grant funded program intended on increasing partially proficient student scores up to proficient scores on next year's state assessments.  I am anxious to see the progress of last year's students as well as see if my efforts are helpful to the group of students that I will be working with this year.

Inquiry...The New Way to Research

      For years education has been under construction.  Cultures are changing, communication is changing, technology is changing, and even the way our students learn is continuously changing.  With all of these perpetual changes, it is important that we (educators) are making sure that our students are keeping up with these changes.  Inquiry based research actively engages educators to take an active look at results of their students.
      Not so long ago finding fault in teaching or student results seemed to point blame directly at the educator.  Along with that blame usually accompanied with it was reprimand and discourse.  Now educators are being encouraged to take a look at their practices and results to find areas for improvement.
      As I embark on my journey in becoming an administrator I will use inquiry research to answer questions that I may not familiar personally, but also help to problem solve and offer solutions to current issues at the school I am working at.   Inquiry research as an administrator has many benefits.  As we read in Leading with Passion and Knowledge, three specific benefits are:  preventing principals to go into isolation, becoming role models for teachers in their buildings and direct engagement that can help best practices flourish. (Fichtman Dana, 2009)