NAEP Results 2011

For this assignment, we were asked to visit the NCES website and compare state results in Math for the year 2011. We were to plug in the information provided to us in order to obtain 8th grade scores for all states in Mathematics. Once we downloaded the information we were asked to compare West Virginia's scores to other states and determine whether or not our state ranked higher or lower than other states, determine whether the results indicated that boys were smarter than girls, etc. I completed the t-test and information in Excel and used the Jing software to incorporate a text box with error directing viewers to see where WV ranked among the other states. You can view my finished assignment here: My Paper. I believe that this assignment relates to the NETS-T #5 standard which discusses conducting and interpreting research showing learning and growth.

You Tube Account

Our assignment required us to create a You Tube account and then save the video we chose to our computer and then upload it to show we had this on our new account.  I did this by going to youtube.com, creating an account and then uploading the chosen video to my account. I then used the Jing software that we downloaded and used earlier this semester to show that I had appropriately downloaded the video and saved to my you tube account. I believe that this assignment follows the following NETS-T Standards: 2 which talks about incorporating digital age learning within the classroom. In addition to this other standards could apply. For instance standard 1 talks about facilitating and inspiring creative learning which if students were aloud and able to create you tube videos, this standard would apply. 

You Tube Video Activity

Below you will find my You Tube Video Activity assignment where we were to chose a you tube video, save it to our computer and then upload it to our you tube account. After doing this, Mr. Pierce asked us to show our work by using screencast.com. I did this by using the Jing software. I chose a video of an animal. Enjoy!

http://content.screencast.com/users/JScalf/folders/Jing/media/37d40091-2eea-469f-9e7a-f62ba38e6091/2011-11-16_1909.png

Research Action Report

Below is a link to my Research Action Report through Google Docs.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-QJbAkOJEaP80GPzvtfBSMAoS7JWJX-tmQvpWWqu2k4/edit

I used the "OWL" website as a reference that was provided to us by Dr. Pierce.  I was very grateful to have the example to use in order to properly site our paper using the APA format/guidelines. I hope that I completed this correctly. This is my first attempt at writing a paper like this one. I was grateful for the step by step directions provided to us by Dr. Pierce. I believe that this assignment follows multiple NETS-S standards including: 3, 4 and 5. These standards review digital-age, media and professional growth. I enjoyed working on this assignment and feel I learned alot throughout the process. I am using Excel more than I ever have in the past and look forward to feeling more confident as I continue to use this for future projects.

Data Analysis & Quantitative Testing

Research question 1: Does age affect millennial score?
Independent variable: age
Dependent variable: Millennial score.
Hypothesis: Younger the age the higher the Millennial score
Null Hypothesis: Age will have no affect on the millennial score

The results indicate that age does have a significant impact on the millennial score. I was able to find this out by sorting the data into two age ranges. The first being under 30 years of age, and the second were individuals over 30. See below for details.

t-Test: Two-Sample Assuming Equal Variances
	Under 30	Over 30
Mean	78.1875	62.36364
Variance	490.2958333	499.2545
Observations	16	11
Pooled Variance	493.8793182
Hypothesized Mean Difference	0
df	25
t Stat	1.817927518
P(T<=t) one-tail	0.040539511	0.05	Sig.Diff.
t Critical one-tail	1.708140745
P(T<=t) two-tail	0.081079022
t Critical two-tail	2.059538536

Research Question 2: Is there a correlation between teaching status and the Millennial score
Independent variable: teaching status     
Dependent variable: millennial score
Hypothesis: A correlation will exist between teaching status and the millennial score
Null Hypothesis: No correlation will exist

The results indicate that teaching status does have a significant impact on the millennial score. See below for details.

t-Test: Two-Sample Assuming Equal Variances
	Teaching	Not Teaching
Mean	68.15789474	88.125
Variance	489.251462	92.41071
Observations	19	8
Pooled Variance	378.1360526
Hypothesized Mean Difference	0
df	25
t Stat	-2.436301184
P(T<=t) one-tail	0.011150007	0.05	Sig. Diff.
t Critical one-tail	1.708140745
P(T<=t) two-tail	0.022300015
t Critical two-tail	2.059538536

I believe both of these assignments follow the NETS-S standard #5. This standard discusses and includes research for educators and both of these assignments were  perfect examples of this. 

Excel Basics

This assignment was a challenging one for me. This assignment required us to utilize basic Excel features which I am not familiar with Excel at all really. We were asked to organize and make a spreadsheet. Then, we were told to turn our text values into numerical values using the Replacement/Find tool. I followed the directions which seemed somewhat self-explanatory. Lastly, the assignment asked us to calculate the average number of Blog Posts. In doing this it required us to use the average function. In doing this it was determined that my number of blog posts was lower than the class average.

I believe that this assignment follows the following NETS-T standards: 3 & 5. This assignment allows educators to model their ability to use technology in a variety of settings. It also shows that educators can use various methods of obtaining data.

Self-Assessment

I wasn't sure what to expect of this class when I enrolled. I knew it would have something to do with media and technology. I didn't realize the depth of what we would learn until we got further into our assignments. I must say I am learning a lot.  I still at times feel very lost also. Trying to keep up with all the assignments has been a challenge for me this semester. I am not very advanced in technology and so all of this is new learning for me. My favorite activity so far has been the Audacity podcast. After completing this assignment, I felt a real since of accomplishment. Several things this semester, I have learned are easier to do with the help of step by step tutorials. It seems so hard to believe we are almost in November and over half way through this semester. I am excited to see what else we will learn before the semester finishes.