May 18, 2010
Quick ‘n Dirty
More lessons learned: I looked at the statistics for how many times my on-demand videos were being watched and got very disappointed. I don’t think they are getting the viewing that I at one time thought they would. So, I made a survey question in my next survey to help assess whether or not they were the best way to be responsive to my students’ needs. Overwhelmingly the response what that they were indeed the preferred extra help that students wanted. So, I now feel a renewed sense of purpose in this project.
Biggest lesson: Make the videos ‘quick and dirty’, and don’t worry about how professional they are if they get the job done. Why? because I’m making so many, if I script, practice, record, edit, etc. – I would have nice quality to be sure, but I couldn’t possibly keep up with the requests. So, I just start up my Jing, record a demo (just as I would in class, sometimes having to fix spelling mistakes, etc.) and then call it good! I upload to Screencast and then get the link and embed that into my Angel class folder called You Asked For It.
Okay, I may not be getting the viewership of a good Three’s Company rerun, but my students are happy and feel supported, and that is what this is all about!
Watch this quick ‘n dirty video complete with mistakes: Local_Macro
May 5, 2010
Blowing My Own Horn
Okay, now I’m not going to lie and say that I don’t like to brag. I kind of love to. Yes it is a flaw in my character, but I’m being truthful. That said, boy are things going well in my class! My last survey had such great comments from the students.
I asked them this, Q: We’re about a third way through the quarter. You can see how things are going now. Do you have any feedback for me that would help me to steer this class in a way that would make it better for you?
And here are some Answers I got:
No, it is just fab!
nothing at this time
Nope! You’re doing very well helping us! And the videos help a lot too!!
not at this time
everything is great
I am enjoying the assignments and trying to review as I go along.
N/A
none
I really like the way this class is organized and you always get back to me very quickly so its good thanks! No, I think these surveys are a great idea to keep your finger on the pulse of the class and how we are feeling about things.
Wow! Lots of happy campers – and I do think it has a lot to do with how responsive I’m able to be using the surveys.
April 13, 2010
And the Survey Says…
I’ve had the first survey results, and I’ve already learned a few lessons. 1) Tell people what the survey is about in a repetitive manner. Although this class happened within the context of an expert level Word class – one respondet was asking for Excel review. 2) If you want to have an actionable item – give them some suggested choices. I left the question about what the students would like to see too open – and now there is nothing specific to do as a result. 3) I did like one thing that I did, and will do it in every survey. The last question I put in was “I wish this survey had asked me about…” and I allowed the students to type in anything. I know as a survey taker I really appreciate being able to tell the researcher that they missed something I wanted to say, or give that kind of feedback.
Although I’m not sure that I have a clear charge to create a video based on the results. Students were happy to have taken the survey and said so. I believe I will do one each week.
March 5, 2010
First Survey
Survey in edit mode
One of the many non-teaching activities that I participate in at the College is a group that is exploring how to help developmental English students be more successful. We are looking at whether or not integrating their English teaching with their technical classes would be of benefit. The success rate for dev ed students is terribly low. Even those who pass their classes very often do not continue on to college level English.
As a member of the I-Trans group, as we’re calling it, we realized it would be helpful to have a picture of what is actually going on already at the college in terms of integration. So I put my hand up and volunteered to create a SurveyMonkey survey to shoot out. I need the exposure and practice before getting into this Whatcha Need project next quarter.
It was really easy creating the survey. I sent it out to the group for comments and revisions – which I got, and have edited it. I’ll follow up with how I liked the response and results.
Whatcha Need? Project 
