Friday, July 4, 2008
Using portfolios for reflection slides
Friday, June 20, 2008
Experimental Research Task
Experimental Task: Using Portfolios for Reflection
Hypothesis: that the format of a student's portfolio has an effect on their English writing improvement.
Ho: That there is no significant difference in the improvement in student writing between using a digital portfolio or a paper based traditional portfolio.
Ha: That there is a significant difference in the improvement in student writing and that the mean improvement for digital portfolios is higher than paper based portfolios.
Participants:
Population: an entire year level in a high school eg year 10 students at
Sample: take 2 classes randomly selected (all classes are mixed ability - based on CATs data - at
Instruments:
Students are assigned to classes on the basis of CATs data so that they are of mixed ability. It can be assumed on this basis that the classes are of similar ability.
To determine the ability of the class use the National Standard rubrics to assess student level at the start and end of the year. The mean “value- added” for each class is to be calculated.
Research Plan:
Comparison of Two different Approaches – one class will use digital portfolio tools and the other class will use traditional paper based portfolio.
Execution of Plan:
Students will use the portfolios for the full academic year – this will enable students to get comfortable with the approach and give sufficient time for reflection and feedback in both treatments. Also students should be able to create several pieces of work for their portfolio during this period of time.
Analysis of Data:
For each student a value-added figure needs to be arrived at – the difference between the beginning of year and end of year results. The class mean of these figures needs to be calculated.
Using t-test and level of significance of 0.05
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Correlation Research Question
Correlation Research Question
1. Potential correlation research question (with 2 variables)
Is the secondary school student academic performance (Variable 1) correlated to their medium of instruction in school (Variable 2)?
Correlated Variable 1: Secondary school student academic performance
Correlated Variable 2: Medium of instruction in school
Testing Hypothesis
H0:
Null hypothesis means that secondary school student academic results are not related to their medium of instruction in school.
2. How could data for the correlated variables be collected?
First of all, assume the score of public examination can measure students’ academic performance in Chinese/English as a Medium of Instruction (CMI/EMI) school, by keeping all the other factors constantly.
Then, collect the samples from CMI and EMI school for pilot test, a graph can be plotted with score of students’ public examination, against the medium of instruction.
After the data collection, correlation coefficient “r” will be computed for that two correlated variables, if r = 0, it means there is no relationship between student academic result and their medium of instruction in school.
Likewise, if r ≠ 0, it means there is a direct relationship between student academic result and their medium of instruction in school.
Further analysis
If correlation coefficient is r ≠ 0, an alternative hypothesis will be set.
HA:
Students have a better academic performance if they study in a EMI school.
Further analysis will be conducted if necessary, such as rank the student academic performance in CMI and EMI school.
3. Provide argument how answer to that question can contribute to improvements in some aspect of education/ teaching and learning?
If the correlation coefficient is >0.5, it is a positive correlation. Then, the school can consider to enhance the students’ academic results / performance by using English as a medium of instruction in school.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Introduction of VoiceThread
Some pages has been added for VoiceThread presentation, amendments are welcome, contents are as follow:
What is VoiceThread?
It's a web-based communications network. Simple, powerful and safe,VoiceThread is a place for creating and collaborating on digital stories and documentaries, practicing and documenting language skills, exploring geography and culture, solving math problems, or simply finding and honing student voices.
Private, or Public
All VoiceThreads are private by default and creators can easily control who can view, edit and comment on content. Within this private state educators can collaborate with students, students with each other, and entire classes with other classes around the world. It's never necessary to make a VoiceThread publicly viewable, but we do believe students grow when they share and collaborate with others.
The act of publishing content, that can be seen by anyone anywhere, reinforces the message that student work is unique, valuable, and worthy of the world's attention.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Voicethread for Research
The voice thread above discusses some of the affordances a VoiceThread has for Academic Research.
Allen and Iris - please log into VoiceThread and add your comments to the thread.
