Final Course Post

What an amazing course! I cannot thank you enough, Lauren, for showing us such easy to use (not that I have good luck with technology!), time-saving tools. Those which have impacted me the most so far are the following: Zotero, dropbox, wordle, and the various ways to transfer/code/manipulate data with Audacity, ExpressScribe, Transana, and Weft QDA. Since I will be using Transana for my grant work, I was disappointed to have such trouble (my tech bad luck + the demo version) working with it in class; I hoped to gain a bit more understanding with it, but I am thrilled that I feel brave enough to get my own trial to play with before I have to actually use the program. I remain intrigued by the themes that can be used in Weft QDA, and think I will use that in the future; for me, it's another concept map like wordle--which, I must admit, is helping me hone in my research interests, as I have a folder full of wordles from my written doctoral work! Beginning the transcription and coding, though we only dabbled, gave me the glimpse that I needed to see and experience to give me confidence and a better understanding of the work that's in my future. I also liked creating this blog because it is not something I would have done on my own and now I know how to do it!

In terms of tools that were not helpful....I don't have a suggestion for what to cut because for me, at my technological level, the variety and overview fit. I enjoyed the variety and I liked that we could make choices on how to spend our time and with which tools.

I had no idea what to expect from you or myself during these five weeks; what a gift!! I also appreciate how you respected our time and the ease with which you structured the course. As my work will focus on older adolescents (grades 8-12), their literacy practices, and their teachers, I know that I need to stay/become current with technology as a general consumer and a researcher. I recommend this class to many and wish you the best in your dissertation work and career. Thanks again; I truly appreciate you and this course!