Week 2 - I know what 'pre' means, but what's a thesis? =P

Ok, so I'm obviously stressing out even though I have been told not to. I'm not a good listener.

Introduction - Will address the problem of pre-kinder through 1st or even 2nd grade students who do not have the necessary skills in manuscript handwriting and the effects this has upon their ability to effectively absorb core content without being hindered by something as simple as letter formation and proper directionality.

Secondarily, many parents, especially at the school at which I work are just as unfamiliar with proper letter writing procedure. I want to turn my current project - which is Flash based - into a DVD that can be sent home to parents so that they are better informed when assisting their children with manuscript handwriting practice.

Preliminary Literature Review - I have some of this worked out already on a small scale and I believe that I will be able to come up with the necessary number of resources (I hope).

Analysis - I believe I have already done this. Haven't I. I mean I have a product. LOL. Seriously though I began this process when I took my first Flash course and began looking at things from the perspective of a kindergarten teacher with little time to assist students in a short half day schedule. I needed a way to project the Flash file up on the screen so that I could work one-on-one while other students would not lose focus while waiting for my help with their practice.

Design - My design is pretty complete - physically. As far as the writing for this portion I still have much to do.

Testing - Still working on this. I did some preliminary beta testing and shared with colleagues. I still plan to do some more work with the special ed department at my school in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the project with individual students.

Implementation - Does what I wrote in my testing portion need to be here in this section? What the heck? I do intend to use the DVD version as a more final implementation, sending it home with some parents for evaluation as well as some of the kindergarten and 1st grade teachers I know.

Dr. Newberry et al...Am I on the right track here or has my train derailed?

Timeline

Master's Project Timeline
[Grad Quarter Winter 2010 / Grad Date June 13, 2010]
April 26, 2009
First Draft of Thesis to Dr. Newberry.

May 10, 2009
Full Literature Review to Dr. Newberry.

May 24, 2009
MA Project Proposal Draft to Dr. Newberry

May 31, 2009
IRB Application to Dr. Newberry.

June 7, 2009
Project Prototype Available and to Dr. Newberry.

July 7, 2009
Pilot Test Project

July 27, 2009
Grad Check and Apply to Graduate (Petition to Walk)

July 28, 2009
Revisions to Project based on Pilot Test Complete.

September 10, 2009
Implement Project.

September 25, 2009
Conclude implementation and analyze data on results.

October 10, 2009
Modify chapter 3 based on results of implementation.

November 10, 2009
Final Version of Literature Review Complete.

December 10, 2009
Final Version of Introduction Complete.

December 20, 2009
Final Version of Chapter 4 Complete.

December 21, 2009
Final Draft of Thesis Complete and Sent to Editor.

January 15, 2010
Final Draft of Thesis Back From Editor.

January 1, 2010
Enroll in ETEC 699

February 7, 2010
Thesis and Project complete and available to First Reader for review.

February 15, 2010
First Format Review Deadline

March 7, 2010
Thesis approved by First reader and available to Second Reader for review.

March 15, 2010
Final Format Review Deadline

March 21, 2010
Binding Payment Deadline

Howdy

I am in the final stages of the program right now. After this quarter I will only need to finish 699 to have successfully completed my Master's degree. I have completed a large portion of my project so far. I began my project during my 676 Flash course with Dr. Baek. I then completed the initial version of the project as a Flash program for 692. I will now be turning that Flash project into a distributable DVD for my final project. The basis of the project is instruction in manuscript handwriting. The audience is parents and students at the kinder and 1st grade levels. I still have much of the writing portion of my thesis to complete and anticipate completing much of it during this course. I look forward to getting to know those of you whose names I don't recognize and hello to those I have already met.