540-Week 6- Final Thoughts

Although, I strongly dislike statistics as a practice, I appreciate the value they add as descriptors. Statistics are necessary to be able to organize large and complex amounts of data. I get that. What I don't appreciate is how they can so easily be used to mislead and deceive! If you are not familiar with the process of collecting and analyzing data, you wouldn't know how to question or challenge information as it is presented to you.

I enjoyed the challenge of searching for data to organize and analyze. I had not previously thought of searching for statistical data on the internet. This is good knowlege to have if you are interested in the true impact of topics and issues in our communities. I have never been comfortable with relying just on the information presented in the media. Now, I know how to search for more of my own understandings!

540-Week 5- Wicked Worksheets!

This week I struggled over the z-score worksheets. Since my experience is teaching in an elementary setting, I find it difficult to conceptualize how this information is applicable to my daily first grade responsibilities. I don't consider myself to be a very analytical or intellectual person. Learning does not come easy to me. So this experience with statistics reminds me of some of those frustrating times throughout my education experience where I am able to learn the how-to of a concept, but I have tremendous difficulty with the application. Going over our worksheets in class is very helpful. The problem I have is that I understand in the moment, but an hour later I'm lost again. UGH!!

540- Week 4- What Does the Future Hold?

This week I was introduced to the work of Bill Tancer, whose business is online market research. I enjoyed listening to his fascination with data. His ability to question, challenge, find and interpret trends has proven to be most helpful to many online businesses.
Even more interesting than Bill Tancer was the Futurist Discussion. Upon first glance, I thought coming up with a new age career field would be easy. As I talked with my group, my creativity was greatly challenged. Every idea I came up with had already been thought of. The internet is amazing! Thinking about the hidden potential of the Internet is mind-boggling. In regards to education, these endless possibilities make instructional technology even more important. The better we equip our children with the tools available on the internet now, the more competitive they will be in the future of online resources.

540-Week 3- And The Survey Says...

This week my group put together our survey. I never realized how challenging this could be. Our approach to the assignment was to use a simple idea that would help us focus on the actual survey process. What is most important is the ability to create questions that will provide a database of valuable information that can actually be analyzed and used! By looking at the data we collected, we were able to identify how we could have fine tuned our questions to provide more useful information. I appreciated going through the process of having to evaluate the collected data with a purpose. It helped me to understand how survey information can and is used. I don't think the average person has this understanding, which is why marketers are able to manipulate the public. Everyone is familiar with the commercials that proclaim 4 out of 5 dermatologists/dentists/doctors/so-and-so's use a given product. Now, I am listening to statistics with a new ear.