Project Data Collection

We had a visit to the 1:1 computing classroom at Maude Burke by Mrs. Pipke-Painchaud.  Her group of grade 12's from TMSS are going to be working on a collaborative project with the grade 5 group from Maude Burke.  I am sure there will be blogs regarding this collaboration in the near future.

We had the opportunity to chat and it lead us to discussing data collection.  We discussed the importance of baseline data for the project relating to some of the following items:

• how baseline data can be captured for project research questions.
• possibility of using Wufoo for online surveys
• collect data on 1:1 computing classroom evolution through video, pictures and text.  This can be done at the beginning, middle and end of year.
• possibly setting up Google Analytics to data on classroom Wikis, blogs and LMS (Moodle)
• provide survey to parents at beginning parent meeting.  Then possibly survey parents at the middle and end of year.
• provide survey to students at beginning, middle and end of year.

 As I dig a little deeper into the data collection for this project two items have emerged.  First our target population will include a). Maude Burke grade 5 students b). Maude Burke grade 5 classroom teacher c). Maude Burke grade 5 parents and possibly d). Maude Burke DI Facilitator. 

Second, I believe we will use both quantitative and qualitative research methods (mixed methods approach) to collect data for the project.  Quantitative data, consisting of mostly numerical data (Neill, 2007), will be collected through the analysis of surveys and questionnaires completed by the target population.  Qualitative data, consisting of non numerical information (Trochim, 2006), will be captured through in-depth interviews, direct observation and written documents (blogs, wikis).

I invite any additional thoughts relating to data collection.  A post I will be creating in the near future will deal with direct survey questions and other data collection related to the project goals and questions.

Resources for this post:

•  Neill, J. (2007).  Qualitative versus Quantitative Research: Key Points in a Classic Debate.  Retrieved September 10, 2010 from: http://wilderdom.com/research/QualitativeVersusQuantitativeResearch.html
• Trochim, W. (2006).  Qualitative Data.  Research Methods Knowledge Base.  Retrieved September 10, 2010, from: http://www.socialresearchmethods.net/kb/qualdata.php