On and on and on (like Infinity...)

Well, Week 5 of statistics was over, and I am one step closer to understanding how to use it and put it into my study. I'd be lying if some of the vocabulary wasn't going over my head, but the frequent practice is helping.

This week's focus was on correlation. After some hands-on work, I actually got to use it with the studies going on in school, and it certainly made sense of things that I didn't quite understand before. I also have a different look on some of the assignments and tests that I give---I can now look at the effectiveness of some of the items that I implement into the class.

Other than that, it's just wrap up time. I completed all of the articles for my study, and I think that the next step is the dreaded one---writing my study. I'm sure I'll be able to relax....in June.

Well, I'd love to talk more, but I have some studying to go do. Catch ya later...

Statistics----No Witty Subtitles This Week

Well, this is an interesting week for class, as I had to break the streak and actually miss a class! Yes, it was Open House season, so I wasn't able to attend. That doesn't mean that I don't have to do the work, though...

I had to review using z-scores and the sort at home, and luckily, I REMEMBERED how to use it. Needless to say, I think that I will be able to use it during my study. Compiling test scores and such for the next 4 months will certainly give me enough incentive and opportunity to use it. I think that I need to plan out, though, when I want to use it.

On a side note, this blog will also be a venting session today, as all of the assignments that I made over the summer are GONE!!! So, I'm back at square one, redesigning everything that I did. Again. And that, my friends, is the fun part of updating a website. (I'm currently waiting for the feedback to my dilemma. This is week 2 of the waiting game.) Oh well...

Overall, though, the study starts this week. Hard to believe. This may be the most positive I'll be during this, ha ha ha...

Well, that's all that I have for this week. I think that I have to dive into standardized testing, which is good. It might help me to figure out trends and data of my own situation, and that can only help to improve the situation in the long run. Well, enough recycled language in this paragraph...

As always, please respond with comments, questions, or concerns.

Statistics-The Sequel

Well, we're at the halfway point of the class, and it's getting much more technical. I think that the lucky part is that a lot of the vocab that we're going over is vocab that I have to teach in 2 weeks (except for standard deviation---I'm not even going to TRY to explain that to a group of 6th graders...)

This week, we started going into graphing and figuring out how to use formulas and stuff. For me, I don't mind it (again, not sucking up to the instructor who has to read this...), as I like statistics. Once I figure out the pattern, I can go with it. Now, I have to go back into it today, so we'll see what I remember, but it's like I tell the students in my class---math is like a puzzle. Once you know how the pieces fit, it's not too bad. I don't think my group mates want to hear that from me, though, he he he...

Well, it should be interesting to see how the standard deviations and z-scores affect my study. I actually understand the purpose of it. I'm not sure that I'll be able to say that a year from now, but for the time being, I get it.

Well, I'm out for now. Would love to talk more, but in keeping with Mathematics and Statistics, I have to go look at my Fantasy Football teams...

Statistics Continued...

This week in class we continued on with statistics, and I felt a little more comfortable with it this week. Of course, we went over topics that I get to teach in 2-3 weeks, so I was a bit comfortable with it. However, we went a little more into detail with using Microsoft Excel to do stats, and that made life a LOT easier for me. I do a lot of statistics for sports, so some of the shortcuts that I learned are going to make the statistics I create much easier to create. I can save a ton of time doing stats like slugging percentage and batting average (NERD ALERT!!!) by copying formulas instead of creating them for each individual kid!

On a side note, I think that I'll get to look at standard deviations in terms of my own research, and I'm able to do it the old-fashioned way as well as the shortcut. Nice, huh? I'm still not entirely sure about the significance of standard deviation, but I think that's just a matter of time. Overall, this week was a little easier than last week. Hopefully, that trend continues....

Well, that's all for this week. Please leave any comments, concerns, or questions, and I'll talk to you later...

Statistics! Yea!

Well, after a month off, we're back in the swing of things, so to speak. And that brings us to today's topic, statistics, otherwise known as "oh man, I forgot some of this stuff..."

Now don't get me wrong---I'm actually interested in statistics. The nerd part of me dissected statistics as a kid through sports. Today, I use it all the time with sports that I play in as well as coach. I think it's why I don't mind teaching it, and part of statistics is what drove me to like Math in the first place.

That being said, oh man, I forgot how technical it can get. I had nice flashbacks from high school and college of just saying "Huh?" to myself during class. No offense to the professor (who I know has to read this), as it was nothing personal. I had simply forgotten some of the skills that I attained many years ago. So now here I sit, trying to remember some of the vocabulary that I've forgotten (not the stuff that I still teach, like mean, median, and mode, but your more obscure terms, like standard deviation...)

So, I'm sure I'm not the only one who felt a LITTLE overwhelmed, but I doubt that will be the last time that happens during this graduate course. I am hoping to see how to intertwine this with the study that I plan to begin in 2 weeks. I'm sure that the next time you read this, I'll hopefully be a little bit as ease.

As always, questions, concerns, or criticisms can be posted below.

Action Research....Part 2

Here we are at the end of July, and I'm wrapping up my plan for my project. I'll be using an online assessment and practice program called ThinkLink to see how similar the gains are between two groups of students. In this case, I'm comparing monolingual and bilingual students. The Math nerd in me will have little issues with calculating data for this, as this project is going to be FILLED with data. Looks like I'll be busy for a few months...

I'm also wrapping up the planning stages, which has brought up a lot of memories from college. Mainly, REVISING!!!! I forgot about making what feels like hundreds of revisions, only to make more. Again, by the end of the month, I'll be able to look back and relax. Check on me next week.

Other than that, I'm just shocked by how quick this time has flown. I could've sworn I had 6 weeks to plan this, and here it is, due next week. Can't wait to knock out all of the writing for the next stage....

Well, that sums up my actions for now. I'd love to talk more, but I'm a bit distracted by my impending project. I'll catch up with all of my loyal follower(s?) later on...

Action Research

Well, after much time spent on end-of-year activities, paperwork, and meetings, I came to the realization that I forgot to blog! So here we go...

In last week's class, we had to start thinking about research. I'm actually not too stressed about this. I think that this was part of the reason why I wanted to get into graduate school in the first place. I don't necessarily mind doing research, especially if I think that it can actually connect to what I'm doing in the class. SO here are my possible ideas for the time being:

1. Study on effectiveness of the ThinkLink Benchmark Assessment program on WKCE scores and regular class performance.
2. Effect on MyAccess software on student performance on Writing proficiencies.
3. Technology Vs. Non-Technology---Differences on research reports.
4. Digital Stories Vs. Traditional Reports--Differences on storytelling, narration.

I'm leaning a bit towards #1, as I think that it has the most connection to my class. I think that there's some interest on a personal level, and I think that there will be a professional interest from peers as well. Right now, I'm in the stages of meeting with my principal to find out what responsibilities that I have to take care of. After that, the fun part begins, which is completing all of the paperwork 2 months before everyone else! Oh well, can't win them all...

So, which one do you think is the one that stands out the best? I'd love to hear...