The ways we approach data analysis are important. Depending on the approach, the story told by the data can vary dramatically. My colleagues' blog posts this week reflected this fact in a variety of ways: Several mentioned the importance of including both quantitative data (charts and graphs), as well as narrative analyses so that the data could paint a complete picture of the research.
All of this makes me think about self-portraits completed by so many famous artists. Depending on their moods, the season of their lives, and the social environments in which they were living and working, their self-portraits varied dramatically. Pablo Picasso is a great example: |
The educators enrolled in EDET 636 this semester are all asking questions that have to do with the impact of technology on student learning. Our questions are all different, yet there is a common thread running through the tapestry of our research. Depending on where the questions are asked, the political climate of the various districts, schools, and classrooms represented, and the approaches used for data analysis, the "self-portraits" could vary a great deal, even though the pictures painted represent some of the same basic ideas and topics. Perspective matters. Angles matter. The varying ways in which we approach the same sets of data can affect the stories our research ultimately tells, depending on the place in space and time from which we approach the stories. Interesting stuff.
I attempted to contribute to the learning of my peers this week by posting questions and comments on a number of their blog entries. While I was only able to participate in a bit of the week's Twitter chat, I did revisit the stream while traveling back to Alaska from the iNACOL conference and, as always, gained resources, ideas, and insights about research, tools, and approaches to the task at hand.
References:
Webb, Poul. (15 Dec. 2010). Art & Artists. Picasso Self-Portraits. Retrieved from http://poulwebb.blogspot.com/2010/12/picasso-self-portraits.html
I attempted to contribute to the learning of my peers this week by posting questions and comments on a number of their blog entries. While I was only able to participate in a bit of the week's Twitter chat, I did revisit the stream while traveling back to Alaska from the iNACOL conference and, as always, gained resources, ideas, and insights about research, tools, and approaches to the task at hand.
References:
Webb, Poul. (15 Dec. 2010). Art & Artists. Picasso Self-Portraits. Retrieved from http://poulwebb.blogspot.com/2010/12/picasso-self-portraits.html