Synthesis

I worked on my second draft of my Literature review. I must admit that I struggled with it a bit. One important concept I struggled with was synthesizing. At times it was hard for me to identify times in which I was merely reporting about what I had read. Finally after talking with Dr. Weaver, I got a better understanding. So off I go to try to move forward with synthesizing. It was slow going at first. But I think I am getting the hang of it. When I was writing my first draft, I had pulled particular studies that I wanted to site, and had put others to the side. But now I am going back to get as many articles to support my arguments as possible. So my piles are starting to have a different look. My dinner table is completely covered. I just read that my Literature review needs to be at least 20 pages. I am going to have to spend this next week churning out more pages. I don’t want to sound repetitive, so I will either have to add more sections, or be sure that I have covered each section thoroughly. So now I am ready to start working on draft three with the hopes of continuing with synthesizing and adding more content.

First Draft Behind Me

This week I worked on my first draft of the Literature Review. I have words on the paper which was tougher than I had imagined it would be. I tried to take the advice of Dr. Lowenthal and just write. It was a slow start, but I got words on to the paper. For me getting started was important. I kept looking for articles, but finally I started to realize that perhaps this is what is meant by gaps in the literature. I had a hard time finding some topics because the concept of bringing your own device is rather new. Having an outline helps because it helps give my literature review the flow from each topic that it needs. Dr. Tamim spoke of this, and I think having a solid outline helps when I get stuck. Now for next week, I plan on adding more content and making it cohesive. Taking this lit review in tiny chunks helps keep me organized. In the past when I have done reviews of literature, my writing had no order neither did my research. It was reflected in the quality of output. It was difficult for me, but now while I do struggle, I have some tools that help me. I have noticed a pattern in the advice that we are receiving. We must read and organize our thoughts in an outline. Put the things that we have read into categories. I have tried hard to follow the advice that is being given to me. So, with the draft behind me, I plan to move forward on reading the few articles that I have found that will help build on my topic. I plan on adding more content to my review and working on my conclusion section. I am painting a picture, and I am beginning to see it take form. How exciting!

Making Progress

 I had quite an eventful week!  Even though I did not spend the week gathering and reading each day as planned, I still did some important work.  I met with many professionals  in the field of instructional design. 

This week, I worked on my last third of my annotated bibliography.  Even though I am getting better at Identifying empirical research, I felt that I needed to go deeper and wider.  My goal this week was to learn more about my topic which is SMAR Model and BYOD.  I went to the AECT conference this week and the first session that I attended discussed technology integration and the TPACK model.  Specifically it was about one-to-on iPad integration.  I didn’t know much about TPACK, but I had come across the concept several times in other research.  So I spent some time reading about it.  I also spent more time attending TPACK workshops. 

I had the opportunity to spend time talking to Ward Cates.  He gave me advice about how to spend time researching and narrowing my topic and learn more about what’s interesting to me.  I find a recurring theme of reading the literature.  He suggested that I find 8 journals and read each issue thoroughly going back two years. As daunting as the task sounds, I understand why it’s so important to read the literature.  If I am going to be and “expert”, as Dr. Mims says, then I have to know what the research says.  So I have heard it from the experts and when I have time, I plan on doing more reading outside the demands of course work.  I want to know what’s going on in my field.

Completing this literature review has been a very different experience than ones done in the past.  It has less to do with the volume, but more to do with the knowledge that I have acquire in the process.  I have spoken with the librarian who has given me invaluable searching tips, and I have spoken with many professors who have given me helpful advice along the way.  I am taking note. 

Finally, I am moving forward with my outline.  I am keeping in mind that is a process and in the end I will have a chapter of dissertation.  I am off to a great start. 

Moving at a steady pace

This week I spent time searching for articles for my bibliography.  This search was easier and yet more challenging than the week before.  I have become a better searcher able to refine my technique.  But it seems that I may need to broaden my search criteria because the results are becoming repetitive.  I have to ask, how much research can I include in my review without become redundant? 

Looking at the video advice from professors from other universities is helpful.  I never really thought about how I could fall into to the patterns of writing that reads like a laundry list.  I will be cognizant of that moving forward.