Difficulties Possibly Encountered:
Communication Issues: Given the fact that this project would take place through the Internet, the obvious problem that we could possibly encounter is a disruption in our Internet connection and therefore a lack of a direct means of communication. In this case, we would contact the project leader, Carol Shields, for assistance with submitting our data observations for the project. Per the ePals "Ask an Expert" page, Ms. Shields will accept project submissions on a disk sent via the mail.
Adverse Weather Conditions: Another difficulty that we may encountered would be bad weather on the date(s) our class is scheduled to work outside. Additionally, heavy rain and/or wind on the days before our outdoor experiment may wash away living and nonliving samples causing our data to be diluted. Rescheduling the lesson to a much later date may impact our ability to participate in the telecollaborative part of this project.
Time Constraints and Management: Acquiring consecutive days and hours to perform the data collection with students may become difficult during the third quarter of the school year because the Maryland State Assessments (MSA) and the Howard County Public School System Quarterly Assessments are also administered during this time. We have no flexibility regarding the administration of these assessments. Thus, the posting of findings for this telecollaborative project by May 2nd and the final report being due by May 24th may become difficult deadlines to meet.
Adverse Weather Conditions: Another difficulty that we may encountered would be bad weather on the date(s) our class is scheduled to work outside. Additionally, heavy rain and/or wind on the days before our outdoor experiment may wash away living and nonliving samples causing our data to be diluted. Rescheduling the lesson to a much later date may impact our ability to participate in the telecollaborative part of this project.
Time Constraints and Management: Acquiring consecutive days and hours to perform the data collection with students may become difficult during the third quarter of the school year because the Maryland State Assessments (MSA) and the Howard County Public School System Quarterly Assessments are also administered during this time. We have no flexibility regarding the administration of these assessments. Thus, the posting of findings for this telecollaborative project by May 2nd and the final report being due by May 24th may become difficult deadlines to meet.
Back Up Plans:
Communication: If our Internet connection is not working, we would contact the project leader, Carol Shields, as to other means of being able to submit our data collection and observations for the project. Ms. Shields is easy to get in touch with because she provides a mailing address, email address, phone number and fax number. Furthermore, it is possible to send our data collection to her on a disk via the U.S. Postal Service.
Weather: To plan ahead for the issue of inclement weather, our class would set up multiple dates for observation in the same season and combine all of the results to make a compilation of the data in our environment. This would allow for flexibility in collecting data and provide more accurate data for the project.
Time: If finding an adequate amount of time turns out to be a great obstacle, our class would possibly participate in the Fall study rather than the Spring project. However, if we are able to continue to participate in the Spring project, we would adjust our long range plans according to the MSA and Quarterly Assessment testing schedules to allow for adequate time for data collection. If necessary, we could utilize student recess time where students are already outside and have them collect data during this time period.
Weather: To plan ahead for the issue of inclement weather, our class would set up multiple dates for observation in the same season and combine all of the results to make a compilation of the data in our environment. This would allow for flexibility in collecting data and provide more accurate data for the project.
Time: If finding an adequate amount of time turns out to be a great obstacle, our class would possibly participate in the Fall study rather than the Spring project. However, if we are able to continue to participate in the Spring project, we would adjust our long range plans according to the MSA and Quarterly Assessment testing schedules to allow for adequate time for data collection. If necessary, we could utilize student recess time where students are already outside and have them collect data during this time period.