Edu Tech Self-Assessment 3/7

 Dealing with Data and Data Visualization

 

Internet Research

1.     I can readily perform useful internet searches using text and images.

Hmm, I would say that this is both a weakness and a strength. It is a strength because I know how to perform useful internet searches using text for basic, general knowledge seeking questions, as evidenced by the photo below. 

It is also a weakness, however, because when I am looking for a specific information, such as an article that I remember reading but not where I first saw it, I have a harder time using the right key words. Moreover, I can use Google’s reverse image search to back trace a photo, but I am not sure I know how to usefully search with images. This skill would be high on my list of what I want to improve on first.

 

2.     I can perform useful internet searches of scholarly materials relevant to education and my content area (if applicable).

Since, more often than not, I have to search for secondary sources for my essays, this is definitely a strength. I can easily use various databases such as Jstor, EBSCOhost; I am proficient, to a lesser extent, with Google Scholar as well. I am not sure how to best convey this skill in this post because I can attach a picture of a search using one of the above databases but the process of finding a useful article is multi-stepped. If you so desire me to walk through my process either on video or in writing, please comment and let me know!

 

3.     I can effectively help others perform productive searches for reliable information.

 

I would like to think that this is a strength of mine, but honestly, I haven’t had many opportunities to test out my prowess. Only time and practice will really be able to tell 😊.

 

Data and Data Visualization

1.     I can organize data (sort, for example) using tools like spreadsheets.

Yes, I can definitely do this! As mentioned in the first post of this series, I can use Excel to perform various functions—as in various tasks, but I can utilize different function/formulas in Excel as well. Looking back at my work I need a refresher in the creation and editing of macros but otherwise I feel comfortable organizing data and helping others to do so.

 

2.     I can visualize the patterns I see in data using digital tools, by creating charts, diagrams, etc.

Again, as mentioned in the first post of this series, so long as I’m using Excel, I can visualize the patterns I see in data using digital tools.

On the other hand, perhaps this means that both this and the first skill listed are also a weakness of mine because I can only accomplish these tasks using the one program. I am not familiar with other spreadsheet/visualizing tools. (I did briefly work the database management system Access, but I would not say I know as much about working in that program).

 

3.     I am aware of tools that are useful for creating infographics and data visualization.

This is a weakness of mine because I have not had cause to use different tools to create infographics and data visualizations. I have only used Excel and Canva (a website whose purpose is not to make infographics but can do so, I’m tempted to link the bookmarks I made on the prison to school pipeline, but I think that would derail this post).

Teaching

1.     I can effectively help others to productively find and visualize data using digital (and other) tools.

I would say, overall, that this is also a weakness of mine because I do not know enough about productively finding and visualizing data using digital (and other) tools to effectively teach others about it. Given that many people learn through visuals/graphics I think this is a very important skill to learn and be able to teach. Therefore, I would like to learn more about this topic soon.

 

One Last Note: I feel that I might be repeating myself a bit, and I’m not sure if that’s because it is the nature of this assignment or if my well of creativity has hit a bit of a drought. Either way, my apologies and thanks for reading anyway.