[Chris Craft]
Program Portfolio
Infancy | Toddler | Tween | Adolescence | Teenager | Graduation
Infancy
As I began the program I had no idea what to expect. Like a brand new baby seeing and hearing everything for the first time, I was experiencing a new world. This new world spoke a language with which I was unfamiliar. As my eyes began to clear, I set to learning about the new environment and began working on my first projects.
Title: Second Life Wiki
Link: Goes to an external web site.
Standard(s): Design: 1.3.a (Select instructional strategies appropriate for a variety of learner characteristics and learning situations.)
Annotation: This was one of my first graduate school projects and was done with another student. It was completed as a requirement of EDET 709. We were required to either convince a local school board either for or against the technology we examined. The other student and I chose the position that Second Life was inappropriate for use with minor students. To that end, we prepared a presentation and a wiki housing all of the information. Currently, the project is available for others considering a move into virtual worlds for instruction. The other student and I worked cooperatively on this project. She handled most of the wiki construction work while I prepared and presented the actual content. The slides can be seen on the wiki. This project represents the Dissemination indicator, as it is not only an innovative way to present the project but it's also referring to a new and innovative way to deliver instruction (Second Life).
Why: I cited design 1.3.a because this project speaks directly to the motivational characteristics of Second Life along with the instructional strategies used in world.
Title: The CARA model for MUVE evaluation
Link: Goes to a .doc file.
Standard(s): Design: 1.4.c (Describe and/or document specific learner characteristics which influence the implementation of instructional strategies) Evaluation: 5.2.1 (Develop and apply criterion-referenced measures, formative and summative evaluation strategies Or a long-range strategic plan in a variety of educational technology contexts)
Annotation: The first night of EDET 652 with Dr. Feldon saw roughly thirteen people, myself included. By the second night, we were down to a class of five plus the professor. Needless to say, I was terrified! Little did I know the impact this class would have on me. The CARA model for MUVE evaluation is a literature review developing a new model for evaluation of multi-user virtual environments for use in secondary education. The model explores the current literature and evaluates MUVE's based on four characteristics. The paper has more than fifteen pages and nearly twice as many references. It is because of my success in this class as well as the determined words of Dr. David Feldon that I am currently enrolled in the Ph.D. program. I am preparing this paper for submission for possible publication. I am the sole author of the paper. This paper represents the Implementation portion, as I had to analyze, design and develop the idea and the model, and the paper is the implementing of those ideas.
Why: The writing of a lengthy literature review that has a possible publication future requires specific documentation of learner characteristics and their influences on motivation. The model also presents a discussion and evaluation of long-range further research directions.