Don’t mistake a tool for the goal
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Data Analysis MOOC Week 1: I’m Going to Hate This
This semester, I have signed up for a data analysis class being taught in Coursera. This is a massively open online course (MOOC). I’m tech savvy and well educated but it seems like the most responsible way for me to really learn about MOOCs is to gain some firsthand experience. I also hope to learn…
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Venues for Publishing Student Affairs Technology Research
One of my colleagues recently made an offhand remark about the timeliness of an article in the current issue of The Journal of College Student Development. Rather than focus on the comment or the specific article, however, it seems more productive to explore appropriate and timely venues for publishing similar work in a more timely…
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Inserting Unique Survey IDs into Multipage Paper Surveys
I still believe in paper surveys. I believe that their immediacy and accessibility makes them very well-suited for some situations. Although I value technology-based surveys (e.g. Web-based, tablet-based) I definitely believe that there are times when paper surveys are superior. You can imagine that I was very happy when my new employer approved the purchase…
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Dissertation Journal: Less Time and More Pressure Makes Kevin a Productive Boy
Although I have not finished my dissertation, I began a full-time job a little over a month ago. I know that this is a dangerous move and that many people who leave school before completing their dissertation never complete it. I also know that even in the best circumstances this will delay my progress. This…
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Plagiarism of ResNet Research
This does not represent the views or opinions of anyone other than myself. Â Specifically but not exclusively, this does not represent the views or opinions of anyone with whom I have worked in the past, my employer, or anyone associated with ResNet, Inc. I am very, very sad to have to write and publish…
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New Job: Hello Assessment, Goodbye Student Affairs
Three weeks ago, I started a new job: Senior Research Analyst in the Center for Teaching and Assessment of Learning at the University of Delaware. I have not updated this blog, responded to blog comments, or even looked at Twitter and some e-mail messages for the past month-and-a-half as I’ve been busy and focused on…
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Dorm vs. Residence Hall: A Silly Debate Nearly 100 Years Old
In most professions, there are certain words or phrases that are used to mark oneself as a member, someone who is “in.” Many student affairs professionals doggedly avoid referring to on-campus housing units as “dorms,” even going so far as to take offense at the term and trying to correct those who use the hated…
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Webinar Lessons Learned and Recommendations
At the research center I recently left, I was fortunate to be heavily involved in our webinars for a few years when we first started to conduct them. After helping develop some of the routines and standard practices, including a checklist and standardized welcome slide, I remained somewhat involved the rest of my time but…
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Training Application Reviewers Using Adobe Connect
For two years, I chaired the awards committee of Indiana University’s Graduate and Professional Student Organization (GPSO), a duty I relinquished a few months ago. During that time, I oversaw awards processes that awarded nearly $50,000 to Indiana University (IU) graduate and professional students to travel and conduct research. Of course, I didn’t review the…
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Ongoing Research Into Student Affairs Technology History
I’ve written a few times about historical research I’ve done looking into how U.S. student affairs professionals have used and viewed technology throughout the 20th century. Although I don’t know where my current job search will take me, I feel a responsibility to bring some closure to this research and then ensure it is somehow…
Got any book recommendations?