Keep on going!

I am nearing the end of my research, and I am still not sure if I have a definitive answer. Currently, I am trying to find different email options for schools and have spoken to a few teachers about what they have their students use and also trying to find more opinions on the gmail system.

Its a little frustrating because I am nervous about my references, because they are mostly opinions found in blogs and forums! I am trying to find facts hiding between personal experiences and opinions. We shall see!

I am still happy with the I-Search model because it is flexible. As I am going along with my research, I am making sure to reflect on how a student would use it, and I think it would be an excellent research model for students. Younger students who are just beginning to do research may find this model especially useful, because it is simple and flexible! I will be sure to have a more thorough reflection for the final product, but for now, I will continue to work toward an answer to my research question!

Looking at the Google Site

I thought it was important to check out the google site and see what Google has to offer for schools. I checked out their site as was impressed by what "Google Apps for Education" really meant.

The program includes

• email
• collaboration on documents
• the ability to create google sites
• interactive calendar
• voice chat & video
• google groups which allow teachers and students to communicate easily

from the website I also found that the program is free, has good security and does not have any advertising.

I know that it was important to check out the actual website, and see if I could find some opinions on the program. From the google site I found some success stories.

I am continuing to try to find some opinions, and I hope I find more information!

Continuing my research

Right now, I am right in the middle of two different parts of the I-Search research approach. I am currently between the first 2 stages, called Selecting a Topic, which is a focus on finding resources and Finding Information, which is here I being to explore the resources and begin to generate questions about my topic. I like that I am able to be doing two different steps at once, which is why I chose the I-Search approach in the first place. I am currently scouring different tech sites, checking on some of the databases that are available to UB students and starting to look for different opinions. I think for my next post, hopefully I will be able to have some more solid evidence to report!

Concept Map

I have never used bubbl.us before and I am loving it! I may have to use it for every project from now on. It is a fantastic way to organize my thoughts and I am excited to keep improving and changing it!

Concept Map

Selecting a topic and finding information

The first two steps to the I-Search model are "Selecting a Topic" and "Finding Information", and I think that these two steps go hand in hand. In order to decide on a topic question, it is important that I can find information on the subject!

After deciding to focus on gmail, I began to scope out the their website and explore what they have to offer. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they have a whole education program! I wasn't really sure how google would be able to incorporate an education system into gmail, but it seems like they have a lot organized. http://www.google.com/apps/intl/en/edu/k12.html

Personally, I didn't have a ton of experience with email while going to school...I can't even remember if I had a school email account that I utilized! But now, most schools are beginning to focus on technology and how it can supplement a student's education and I can see that email is a great way to do that. I am excited to get into a school and see how they utilize email and other technologies.

After seeing that gmail does offer an education package, I am going to explore what it has to offer, as well as see how many schools are already using it. One thing that I have already seen is a public spreadsheet about switching to gmail in schools (using a google spreadsheet) and I am excited to check it out! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjgdRDrRivqYdExSbDI0cm5PUjlsVmpKcDlMdEsxT0E#gid=0

I think this is a great start to the project!

Inquiry Model

For the project, I have chosen to use the I-Search model. I have chosen this model because it seemed to be a great way to keep track of all of my research. The I-Search model encourages using a journal to record every step of research, and I plan to do just that with this blog.

I also liked that the I-search model encourages interviews and inquiry-based learning. For my project, I hope to ask several people their opinion on my topic, and I think that this model will be a great way to keep myself organized.

This approach also focuses on a student personal interests, and the topic of using gmail in schools is one that I am very interested in. As I stated in my last blog post, I utilize gmail and its other applications like googledocs and calendar quite frequently. It will be interesting to hear other people's opinions on the subject and also learn more about how it can be utilized in a school setting.

LIS 568 Inquiry blog

Hello!

I have decided to use this blog instead of my wiki page because I prefer how this site it set up, and hopefully will be an easy way to organize my thoughts and research.

My research question for the Inquiry Project will be:

Should schools make the switch to gmail?

I think that this will be a really interesting topic because I personally love gmail and have found it be a great way to keep organized and am interested to hear other people's opinion.

Should be an interesting project!