And including Google Docs in the process too!

Another change that I will make to the process is including Google Docs in  my action research.  Google Docs will be my means of sharing lessons with the students (I had previously intended to share lessons through Evernote).  The Docs will include links to specific blog lessons.

I will create a folder to share with all of the students taking part in the programme.  Lessons will be added to the folder as the programme develops.

A key reason for my incorporating Google Docs is that, to my delight, my new school, St Mary's, has Google Apps set up and established within the school.  I can set up and share Docs with the group, and communicate by email where necessary.

Evernote will still be used for student personal folders. 

Incorporating Blogger and Facebook rin the learning process

I am making an adjustment to the process that I will use for my research; this being to include Blogger and Facebook in the process.  This will be done by using a Mandarin blog (that I have previously created) as a means of sharing learning content with the group.  The blog address is:

http://mandarinlanguagelessons.blogspot.co.nz/

The purpose of this is to potentially include others in the learning process, though in a more informal way that doesn't require the use of Evernote, and the passwords associated with accessing Evernote.  Ideally I would like the school community to learn alongside the focus student group.  This will be done by weekly posts on the school Facebook page with links to language content on the blog.

An article on bilingualism

This article from the New Zealand Herald ties in nicely with my research.  It starts:

'Proficiency in languages opens many doors but needs maintenance - the ultimate 'use it or lose it'.

My view is that 'a little often' when learning a new language will have a positive impact on on language acquisition,  but the important thing is to be consistent  

It will be interesting to see how my own programme for this research meets the learning needs of the students who take part.

Observations on students

For the purpose of journaling for this research project I will continue with the Blogger format; I really do believe it's such a great way to keep a journal, as it encourages you to update it regularly due to the fact that the date settings can't be changed!

For observations of students, I will use an Evernote folder that is shared only with the course coordinator.

Forgotten passwords!!!

Unbelievable!  I have forgotten my passwords for Evernote and the gmail account I used to set up the Evernote account!  I have just gone through the process of doing it all again, but this time I have recorded the password and username details on a Google Doc in my primary email account.

I feel like an idiot!

Evernote programme set up

Last night I set up my Evernote account and folders for my action research.  The folders are for the lessons and the forum.  I will set up students folders as soon as I have access to the class list.

Selected Students

I have decided to focus on students in my new school (St Mary's in Carterton) for my action research.  The students will be in a year 5-8 composite class (the majority being years 5 and 6).  My decision is based on the fact that it will hopefully become a long term programme, whereas longivity would be more difficult with students from the school I am leaving at the end of the term.

Yah! Access to the Costello reading!

I have just accessed the Patrick Costello online book on action research through the library.  I'll read through this over the weekend to gain an understanding of the process, preparing me to start my own research project.

How do I do action research?

I'm now looking for a guide / process to complete my action research process.  I haven't been able to access the Costello reading on action research, however, I read the Saul & Launius article from the suggested readings for Week 7.  Interesting reading, but is more of a case for and about action research, as opposed to a system for carrying out the process.  

I need a step by step guide for my research.  Finding one (most likely through accessing the Costello reading) is the next step in my project.

Which students?

I have a delama; I am changing schools at the end of the term and I'm not sure which students to base my action research around:

• Shall I focus on the students at my current school and carry on with them after I have left? or
• should I focus on students at my new school who I will have daily contact with from the beginning of Term 2?

The advantage of focusing on students are my current school is that I can start straight away, or at least from the beginning of week 11, and I know the students well.  The disadvantage is that I will lose regular contact with them once the term finishes.

The advantage of focusing on students from my new school is that I will have regular contact with them from the beginning of Term 2.  The disadvantage is that I can't realistically begin until the new term starts, meaning that I'll only have a limited time to work with them.

I'll need to make my decision soon, and plan to by the end of the weekend.

My idea

This is my idea for Assignment 2.  I posted it on the forum yesterday.  I may make changes, depending on any feedback I receive.  However, it does relate closely to my focus question for Assignment 1.2:

'Online learning programmes will enhance student engagement and motivation, and increase  levels of achievement'
 

 Question I wish to answer

Can Evernote be used as an effective online tool to create an online programme to learn a language, specifically Mandarin.

Why it is important? (just a couple of sentences)

All Year 7 and 8 students are now required to learn a second language.  Although there is a Ministry developed programme (Hao), it’s not a sequential programme.  Additionally, China is now our second largest trading partner, and the number of tourists arriving from China every year is growing.

Short description of the activity (what my students will do)

1. I will create a Mandarin language account on Evernote.  
2. Within the Mandarin Evernote account I will create a lesson folder.  A new lesson will be posted each week, including a link to a You Tube video, an audio recording, and basic notes.
3. A folder will be set up for each student taking part in the programme.  For each lesson students will record themselves pronouncing the focus phrase using the Evernote audio recording function.  They will also write a reflective comment on how they think they did.
4. I will provide feedback on each of the lessons.  Students will also be able to provide feedback to their peers.
5. I will set up a final folder that will be used as a forum for students to ask and answer questions, share ideas, etc.

How will I know if the implementation of this activity has been successful?

The students will be able to have a basic conversation in Mandarin, incorporating all of the language introduced in the programme.

Getting started

I have decided to use a Blogger blog as my journal for Assignment 2.  I've used blogger before extensively, finding the interface easy to use and to share information and ideas on.