Hypothesis Testing

Today’s assignment was to test our hypothesis and provide the data in excel.  We were given a link so we could learn about bivariate analysis.  In order to test my hypothesis I used t-tests assuming equal variance which is an option in Microsoft Excel.  The reason I used t-tests is because they are an easy way to compare education groups which is something I should do in my teaching to insure I am progressing.  The results of a t-test are interpreted by looking at the p-value at the given confidence level. 

The data I tested including the t-test can be viewed here.  The tables created for class can be viewed in the same document. 

Hypothesis 1: Does gender affect the use of technology such as discussion postings?
Null Hypothesis 1: Gender does not affect discussion postings.
Results 1: With 95% confidence gender does not affect discussion postings. 
Hypothesis 2: Does gender affect the use of technology such as millennium scores?
Null Hypothesis 2: Gender does not affect millennium scores.
Results 2: With 95% confidence gender does not affect millennium scores. 

 This assignment follows NETS T standard #5 because by collecting data and testing hypotheses is engaging in professional growth. 

Data Analysis

Today’s assignment first is a discussion about analyzing the data set we worked with in the previous blog, Excel Basics.  The discrete categories of the data are gender and teaching status.  The continuous categories are discussion posts, browser types, MBTI, personality type, and quiz average.   

The second part of the assignment discusses the development of our research question and hypothesis. 

Dependent variables 1: total discussion posts

Independent variables 1: male/female

Research questions 1: Does gender affect the total number of posts on the discussion board?

Hypothesis 1: Gender does not affect the total number of posts on the discussion board.

Null Hypothesis 1: Gender affects the total number of posts on the discussion board.

Dependent variables 2: the number of students

Independent variables 2: Safari/Chrome/Internet Explorer/Firefox

Research questions 2: Among the research group what is the most used web browser?

Hypothesis 2: Internet Explorer is the most used web browser.

Null Hypothesis 2: Internet Explorer is not the most used web browser.



This assignment follows NETS T standard #5 because we are partaking in research that will help us grow as teachers. 

Excel Basics

Today’s assignment was to work with Microsoft Excel.  We were given a data that represents data which could be collected during research.  I have included a snip of the data below. 

The first thing I did was use the Find/Replace function in Excel to convert the data into numerical code.  For example I replaced the word male with 1 and female with 2.  I repeated this system of finding and replacing each word with a numerical code.  I included a key at the bottom of my spreadsheet so I would know the code I used.  The spreadsheet now includes discrete variables and categorical variables. 

The next thing I did with the data is play around by rearranging different categories in ascending or descending order using the Sort function in Excel.  While rearranging the data I was keeping in mind I needed to develop a null hypothesis. 

The last thing I did with the data is use Excel to calculate the average blog posts which is 15.4.  I compared my number of blog posts, 17, to the average value and I am above average on blog posts.  I also calculated the average number of discussion posts from the mock data, 15.9, and compared it to my number of blog posts which is 52.  I again have above average posts. 

This assignment follows NETS T standard #2 because we are creating a digital-age assessment or at least a mock one. 

Research Overview

The first part of this assignment is to download the data analysis tool pack.  This seemed like a simple task however I ran into a little trouble.  The instructions for installing the tool pack say to go to the tools tab and I could not locate it.  I used the help tab in Excel to search for the add-ins tab.  This was simple and I easily located the Add-Ins tab.  It was located under file, options, and then add-ins.  Once I found the add-ins I checked the boxes for Analysis Toolpak and Analysis Toolpak VBA.  The data analysis command was added and the assignment was finished.

The second part of this assignment was reading “The Rant.”  The rant is about teachers actively taking a part in their classroom by being an example of “education is a research-based enterprise.”  Teachers should be actively partaking in action research and evaluating their performance and the students.  In order to do this, the teacher needs to stay focused, use data to improve performance, and raise the standard of professional practice in their setting.  In order to do this a teacher needs to constantly be developing and testing hypothesizes in the laboratory known as their classroom. 

Using Microsoft Excel follows NETS T standard #3 because it is digital-age work.  The use of Microsoft Excel is becoming more popular.  Being able to create spreadsheets makes certain things easier such as balancing a checkbook or crunching numbers.  The use of research in a classroom to improve teaching and student learning follows NETS T standards #4 and #5.  By using the research to improve yourself and your classroom promotes responsibility and engages in personal growth and leadership.   

Midterm Self-Assessment

Today I completed a self-assessment midterm.  I assume the quiz was created by Dr. Peirce.  This is a very creative way to assess students.  I feel very confident with my assessment except for one question.  The question I did not know was how to explain TPACK.  I read the article we had previously been assigned but I guess I don’t understand enough to write about it in my own words.  I did my best which is all I can do. 

This assignment follows NETS T standard #2.  It is a creative way to develop a digital assessment for students. 

Pew Millennial Test

Today’s assignment was to take the following quiz: How Millennial Are You?  The quiz was a short 14 question quiz that asks basic questions about your everyday life such as how many text messages you’ve sent and received in the past 24 hours.  I used snipping tool to capture my score of 98. 

This assignment meets NETS T standard #2.  The quiz is a creative way for students to take a digital quiz to determine how technology dependent they are. 

Personality Profile Part 2

The second part of this assignment was to take a personality test.  The results for my test are displayed below.  According to the personality test my four letter temperament code is ESFJ.

When comparing my results from the personality test to the code I chose for myself in Personality Profile Part 1 I got 50% of the same results.  My previous answer was ESTP and my new response is ESFJ.  I agree with my new temperament as well as I did with my old temperament.  I do care about others health and wellbeing.  I’m not sure which answer better fits me.

The assignment relates to NETS T standard #1 because it is a creative way for the students to learn about themselves.