Web+Conferences

Sunday, July 11, 8:00 PM Week 1 Dr. Abernathy met with students that were in the Research class and/or the Internship class on this date and time. There were thirty nine students in attendance and the web conference was very informative. We discussed the components of each class and what would be required of us. We were told that those of us in Research could use a Field Based Experience from our Internship as our proposal topic, but to be very careful to use all APA guidelines on all documents. Dr. Abernathy stated that we needed to email her to get an updated version of the Internship Handbook, as it had the most current information in it. Many questions were asked about student portfolios and where they should be put, as in a Wiki or Site. We found that it did not matter as long as all professors were invited to join whichever we were using. Dr. Abernathy supplied us with all appropriate emails for that purpose.

Friday, July 16, 2010 Week 2 A second web conference was held, but this one only had nine students in it. Several questions were brought up and answered appropriately. We talked more about the Comprehensive Exam and how it has three major components: textbook reflections, course-embedded assignments reflections, and field-based activities and their reflections. Dr. Abernathy stressed how important the APA guidelines were for the exam and that we needed to be careful that the introduction does not actually state the word introduction. We also need to be careful with the different types of levels for the headings. I thought I could make it without the publication manual, but after hearing all the particulars, I went to the bookstore and purchased it as soon as the conference was over. We were also told that we could email Dr. Abernathy to get an updated copy of the handbook and a copy of her vitae, which I did.

Saturday, July 24, 2010 Week 3 I attended a third web conference this Saturday morning at 11:00. There were only four of us in attenance, but we were able to get things accomplished and questions answered quickly with such a small group. Dr. Abernathy told us that all sections that were 8001, 8002, and 8003 had been checked and all had A's at this point and that they were making sure that all students that were expecting to graduate in August had 3.0 averages. We also found out that our Internhip grades had been posted, July 15 to be exact, and that we should be able to see them. I was very glad to hear this because I just assumed we should still be waiting. We are supposed to contat Tech Support and let them know they are not showing up. Great conference and very productive.

Thursday, July 29 and Sunday, August 1, 2010 Week 4 I attempted to attend both of these web conferences, but the conferences never began. On Thursday, I kept the screen open for the whole hour from 4-5, but it never started. I tried attending again on August 1 at 5:00, but this conference did not begin either. A fellow classmate who is also in Cohort 4 said she did attend one on Saturday the 31st, but it was for Cohorts 5-13. She said there were a lot of students attending and that it was for later cohorts. I will probably not try the conference at 7:00 PM today because it is also for later cohorts, but will try again next Sunday at 5:00. Dr. Abernathy has been answering questions via Discussion Board so she is keeping us updated. I did attend a brief conference on August 3 at 5:00. There were only two of us in attendance, and Dr. Abernathy answered any questions we had. She explained about APA format with headings, and she also talked about the differences in Course-Embedded Assignments and the Six Beneficial Classes. She also assured us that we would be getting an email from the graduate department soon in regards to graduation.

Sunday, August 8 Week 5 I attended my last web conference today at 5:00 to help me prepare for graduation. Wow! I can't believe it is finally here. Dr. Abernathy met with eleven students, and we were all from different cohorts. Several students who were just beginning the program had lots of questions about various things. Some needed help about being admitted into the program, while others had questions about the e-portfolio. Tammy and I were told that our finals had been graded, and that we had completed all that we needed to. There were several questions about the Research class and what all it involved. Dr. Abernathy told the students that they needed to contact Dr. Jenkins to get clarification, depending on their graduation dates. I believe this was the last scheduled web conference.