Literature Review Part 1

I finished writing the first section of my lit review. I'm obviously going to miss my self-imposed deadline of May 4th for completing the whole thing, but I hope to finish the second section by then. My project is a series of video screen capture tutorials for teachers on using the new web page communication system. Part one of the l.r. discusses the need for technology in the classroom and the barriers to implementation. One significant barrier is teacher training for technology use and follow up support. The end of the section examines teacher motivation and the importance of support to ensure teachers will use the technology after the initial training is over. Writing these reviews always gives me a dozen new directions to research, just like teaching new science concepts always makes me think, 'what about if I do this?' It seems neverending and I get discouraged because there's no way to investigate every idea that pops in my head and then I start feeling like I'm not being thorough. I also must admit that the paper is limited to the articles I was able to find. This process always leaves me wanting to know more without the time to explore.

Pitman's Progress

This week I spent most of my time researching my topics. I read titles and abstracts searching for the background research that support my project. I collected about 60 articles by reading abstracts and I've narrowed them down to about 40 now by scanning the articles and conclusions. My next task is to sort them into sub topics. I wanted to start with enough articles that I wouldn't hesitate to dump a few if I didn't think they were a good fit. I'm waiting for the weekend to dive into the detail work.

I spent a couple hours at Pfau Library looking through some of the previous years' masters theses. I wanted to see what topics have been completed, and get a visual of the expected product. This was a valuable exercise for me because I held only the vaguest ideas about what a master's thesis looked like. For example, when Dr. Newberry writes, 'this tracks to Ch. 1 or Ch. 2', I thought he meant the recommended text and I now own my own copy of 'Writing the Winning Thesis'. Even after I plugged my existing work into the template, it wasn't until I read other theses that I realized he meant chapters in our own work. Yikes!

All in all, I continue to put one foot in front of the other for this project, my other classes, and my job. I'm enjoying reading everyone's blogs, shared processes and thoughts, thank you for posting them.

Pre-Thesis Paper

I know the purpose of the assignment was to use the template and plug in the vast body of work I've already completed for the master's thesis. I hoped to sit back with a self satisfied sigh and smile, "yep, just about over now". Do I even need to type the heartbreaking end to the story? The look of stunned betrayal, the denial, the anger, and slowly...inevitably... the acceptance. A final plaintive question there in the dark loneliness of my daughter's old room, "Is there any chocolate cake left?" No, wait, that's not the question. The choking, agonized, inquiry, "Is that all there is?" and the undeniable reality: yep, that's all there is.

View my pathetic efforts: http://www.geocities.com/pitmandarlene/papers.html

Timeline

Timeline ~ April 4, 2008

Pre Thesis ~ April 11, 2008

Full Literature Review ~ May 4, 2008

IRB/Project Proposal ~ May 11, 2008

Prototype Testing ~ May 18, 2008

Complete Survey ~ June 20, 2008

Analysis ~ July 18, 2008

Design ~ August 1, 2008

Testing ~ August 15, 2008

Thesis complete ~ October 1, 2008

Complete Project ~ December 5, 2008

1st Reader ~ December 19, 2008

2nd Reader ~ January 16, 2009

Format Review ~ February 13, 2009

Introduction

My name is Darlene Pitman and I am a middle aged, middle school science teacher. I am hoping to complete this degree in the Spring of 2009. My idea for a project is a series of video tutorials using Captivate for teachers who are struggling to incorporate the new SchoolFusion web software and the new online grading software into their administrative duties. I am not experienced with Captivate or any of the other video screen capture programs, and buying the software is next on my list of things to do. I am aware this is not the timeline that was requested, but I'm setting up my blog and felt like I needed to say something. I'm looking forward to working with all of you.