Project RITE

It’s been a while since I posted, so I thought I would provide an update.  I’ve begun analyzing the transcripts of the face-to-face interviews with the participants.  I’ll be using QDA Miner Qualitative Data Analysis software.  This process will allow me to identify key themes that describe the participants’ experiences. 

 During the interview, participants were asked why they chose to participate in the study, as well as what they liked and disliked about the process.  Participants were also asked whether or not they thought the online review sessions helped them perform better on the exam.  Finally, the participants were asked how the process could be improved.

 Once the data are analyzed, I’ll be working on the final report.  I’ll be sure to post again with the qualitative results.

I’m happy to report that I’ve completed all the face-to-face interviews and all but four have been transcribed.  The transcriptions are due to be completed at the end of April, and then I will begin coding the transcriptions using QDA Miner qualitative data analysis software.  The project is moving along as planned and there have been no major problems or issues.  The feedback from the participants was so positive (based upon their comments in the interviews), that I will most likely videotape review sessions and post them on Blackboard for ALL of my classes!

 Stay tuned for an update about the coding process!

Hi again!

Well, I’ve started the process of interviewing participants in the study.  Unfortunately, it appears that there may have been a glitch in the Blackboard system!  I’ve uncovered three students who accessed the video review sessions via Blackboard, but when I downloaded the statistics on that tool, there was no indication that these students had participated in the project and accessed the videos!  I’m now in the process of trying to determine how many of these students weren’t captured.

I’m moving forward however.  I’ve conducted approximately 10 face-to-face interviews thus far, and each participant has indicated that not only did the review session help them prepare better for the exam, and ultimately get a better grade, but they actually enjoyed the sessions!  I’ve heard no negative comments about the videos or the process, and the participants have not even offered any ideas for improving the process.This is exciting indeed!

I’m also on schedule with my timeline.  I just gave the interview tapes to my transcriber this week, so the transcription process will begin shortly.  I hope I’ve uncovered all the “missing” participants, and with the help of ITC & OIT will be able to figure out what happened with the tracking tool.

Tune in soon for my next update!

I realized this past week that I actually misread the tracking statistics for the project. Thirty-five was the number of times people had accessed the review sessions. In actuality, 18/66 people participated in the study. I calculated the grades, however, and was delighted to discover that the review sessions mattered. The overall class average for the exam was 39.26/67= 58.5%. The average for those who participated in the study was 45.56/67=68%. The average for those who did NOT participate in the study was 36.85/67=55%.

The next step is to begin face-to-face interviews to gather information about the participants’ experiences with the technology.

Well, the students have taken the exam, and the grades are being calculated.  A total of 36 out of 66 students signed up to participate in the study.  The tracking tool indicates that almost half of the students accessed the review sessions the day before the exam.  Thus, having access for a full week, didn’t seem to encourage or prompt the students to study earlier.

Now I’ll begin to schedule face-to-face interviews with the participants to gauge their experience with the technology and to what degree they feel the sessions helped them study or prepare for the exam.

Well, Jerry Riehl is AMAZING!  He managed to create exactly what I wanted for this study.  There is now a link on the course tool bar that sends students directly to a page that allows them to sign-up for access to the videotaped review sessions.  Once students sign-up, they are sent a password that gives them access to the videos!  AMAZING! 

 I was able to log in as a student, and the technology works perfectly!  The link will be available for all students who decide to sign-up for the sessions.  I’m also able to track how many times students log into the video sessions.  The first exam is scheduled for Tuesday, 5 FEB, so after the exams are graded, I’ll be able to begin analyzing the quantitative data.  I’ll also begin conducting face-to-face interviews with students who signed-up for the sessions during the week of 11 FEB. 

I’m so excited!  I can’t wait to get the feedback from the students. 

Until next time…..

I just reviewed my videotaped mini-lectures and they’re amazing! Students can click on the Powerpoint image and make that window larger. Students can also speed through a lecture (in case the left off mid-lecture). Each lecture was taped individually, so students will have the freedom of only watching the lectures that explain the material they need to review or are unsure of.

The next step is to work with Jerry Riehl in understanding how to upload the lecture link, and set up the Adaptive Release tool. Tune in later to hear about that experience!

I’m happy to report that I’ve completed stage one of my project! Yesterday, I worked with Justin Johnson of IT Engineering Services. We videotaped ten mini-lectures. The technology he used was amazing. Students will be able to view my image, as well as the Powerpoint slides that were displayed on my laptop. This will allow students to listen to me explain what’s depicted on the slide, while viewing it.

The next step is to review the actual web links that Justin created, which contain the lectures.

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