CAL model

Dear blog,

I met with one of my advisers yesterday and I would have to say that it went quite well. When I talked to him, I stated that I wanted to use K.P. Cross' Characteristics of Adult Learners (CAL) model as a theoretical framework. He said that the model is relatively new and he was not sure that it had been used in much research. However, if I am able to demonstrate that other researchers have extensively used it since it's creation in 1981. Then, I could possibly use it for my study. My adviser suggested that I use the "Social Science Citation Index" from 1982 and ask Susan Johnson, the education librarian at Hamilton.

If I do not find a lot of research regarding that model, he suggested using a similar model by Albert Bandura that goes a little like this environment --> behavior --> personality, but in a triangle looking format instead.

He also suggested that I look at the bigger picture of my study (what I am trying to find out --> how to effectively design a Second Life learning environment where University of Hawaii students and faculty can learn in) and how it connects to my dissertation (how the identity of UH students and faculty affect their learning).

Furthermore, he suggested that I mention the limitations of my study in regards to the type of education and economic status of the population I am look at.

I did change one my research questions as well. This time, #1 is "What do the affordances in Second Life provide to MUVE users?" I believe. I need to double check on that.

Finally, he states that I need to create a hypothesis in a sense. In other words, I predict that UH MUVE users are mainly local from various ethnic backgrounds within Hawaii, are both male and female, and are diverse regarding their ages from 18-50. Also that there is a 50/50 split of faculty verses students who use Second Life from UH. However, I am not sure of that, and I would like to test that out.

That's it from yesterday. I didn't work on my dissertation today, but I will tomorrow.

Aloha,
Rebecca

Feedback from last night

Dear blog,
Last night I was the guest speaker at Dr. Bail's EDEP 768C class. They were a great class to talk to and I was able to get some nifty feedback. See below...

• MIT press series - Buckingham article on identity (3 types)
• Hours they have been on
• Add age of learners
• Revise #4 - Informal vs. formal learning
• Were they introduced by someone else vs. learned from a tutorial vs. entered SL on their own? Makes a big difference!

Now time to answer emails and get my list taken care of for today!

Aloha,
Rebecca

My, the days go by fast!

Dear blog,
The last time I wrote in here was last Thursday. Honestly, the days have gone by so fast that I barely remember what I did those past days. However, it's crunch time right now. I have a meeting with my boss on Wednesday, so I need to get some transcription work done and visit at least one college to get screenshots at. Also, I need to download the readings for Wednesday. I plan to read them tomorrow and write a response by tomorrow in this blog. Plus, I still haven't set aside time to work on my dissertation. Thankfully I backed up all my articles and writings on my external, so I think I am good to go. Oh and for 690, I need to analyze my survey results. Whew!
I'll fill you in tomorrow on how I am doing.
Love,
Becca
P.S. - Our Second Life island arrived last week Wednesday or Thursday. Hurrah!!!

Tuesday

Well it's Tuesday and I do not think I have to do a blog entry on the 3 different definitions of ETEC. However, I believe I do have to write about the current book club book. I will probably do this in my next post. Today I am mainly focused on transcribing for my job and getting everything I need for class done tomorrow. I really need to schedule some time during the week to work on my proposal. Thursdays maybe? Not sure. I really just need to sit down and hurry up and think about this...

My timeline

Dear blog,

This is how I see myself in the next 2 years.

April 2010 - Finish proposal and get it reviewed by committee
Summer 2010 - Complete IRB
Fall 2010 - Enroll in EDUC 800? (The one credit course)
Spring 2011 - Finish my dissertation and graduate.

Whew, I have plenty to do, but if I stay on track then I will have graduated in 4 years! Yay! Keep me accountable ok?

Love,
Becky :)