First focus group

I think that it went all right. It wasn’t GREAT but it wasn’t horrible as well. I think only have 2 didn’t really help facilitate the discussion I was going for. I need to really know the questions on the online class. I read the overall responses, but I need to be more specific for the online questions.

No one knew what a focus group was so I will need to do some type of modification, but if I include it in the focus group assignment email and offer a brief explanation. I asked all the questions and I tried to not lead the answers.

I was surprised about the feedback. It seems very critical and their emotions even now they are nervous about missing something.

I should have asked about types of students they noticed in the class. It seems they are disconnected even with pictures and they don’t help each other out.

I know I matched up questions with the research questions but I don’t know that I really got the answers I wanted for establishing a culture of teaching and learning. Part of it does rest on the small number of students so hopefully with 16, 8 will show up. I just wonder with more participants what it will be like.

Some other questions:

1. What do you think about your technology skills?

2. Do you think your technology skills are good enough or a good match for online learning?

3. Do you think F2F or public school prepares you for online classes?

I do think the next one will be better and meeting with Tara on Thursday will help me talk through it and get a little more organized.

They hated second life and the course layout is nice and very helpful but at the end of the day it’s still “I feel all alone and I’m going to miss something” they both agreed that you needed time management skills and be self-disciplined to be successful.

It is interesting that they both thought it was going to be read a book and take quizzes. That is no way to learn and it’s sad that one of them actually had a class like that. What do you really learn that way? They did acknowledge it adds a level of stress that can inhibit learning. On the right track.