Before you read about my experience with Atlas.ti, remember
its not you, its meJ
As for Atlas.ti, I will concede that the more that I learn
about the program, the easier it is to work with. At the beginning of the semester, it was a
VERY HORRIBLE transition to make. I
tried several different methods for becoming an Atlas.ti user. I am a MAC user and the learning curve for
the new PC programs is horrible. I know
that you don’t recommend it, but I was told that Parallels would allow me to
run Atlas.ti on my Mac until the software is available for Mac products. My husband bought me a new MacBook during
tax-free weekend and Parallels, but Microsoft has been out (not selling the
version) of the Windows product that I need to make Atlas.ti work on my
laptop. That was frustrating.
When Parallels wasn’t an option for me, I checked out one of
the netbooks that you reserved for our class. When it was returned by the
previous user, the netbook wasn’t wiped clean and it loaded a TON of files to
my DropBox account. That added stress to my semester, because I was SCARED TO
DEATH that I deleted somebody’s work that was needed for their
dissertation. I know that is why we have
back-up copies of everything, but I felt really bad. I just freaked out when I saw the strange
files and deleted before I thought. Another problem with the netbook that I had
was that every program on it was a trial version, so each time I tried to do
something it was expired and it had to be activated. I returned the Netbook and started using an
old laptop that my husband has, but it isn’t compatible with my new Mac program
for Office products.
All of that previous discourse (smiles) was just to point
out the difficulty/frustration that requiring one program can cause. Not only
did I have to learn the PC side of things and basically set up a program on two
different computers, but I had to learn Atlas.ti. Thanks to my literacy
education friends and YouTube videos, I have learned the basics. I STILL HAVE
TO LEARN A LOT ABOUT ATLAS.TI, because I have only touched the surface with
this program, which is to say that I know nothing. Another problem that I had was that the
method that I had for recording my data was an app on the iPhone and the
iPad. Before recording, I made sure that
the program would be able to save in a format consistent with DropBox and with
Atlas.ti. However, it wouldn’t allow me
to submit any audio file over 25 minutes.
They might’ve gone into DropBox, but Atlas.ti wouldn’t recognize the
file. Therefore, the conversational data
that was used for this assignment wasn’t my first, second, or third pick for
the assignment. The point to this rant is just to say that a lot of the time
that could have been devoted to reading more of the recommended texts for
learning more about DA was taken up by my efforts to try and learn
Atlas.ti. I still have no idea why you use the different
components of Atlas.ti (i.e., what purpose they are used for).
I still have access to the shared files from my semester in
Digital Tools with you. During the
intersession, my plan is to read through the notes from our class regarding
Atlas.ti, Ann’s Atlas.ti PP, Hollie’s Skillbuilder on Atlas.ti from her Digital
Tools class with you, and read through the training manual on the Atlas.ti
website in preparation for the Spring semester.
My husband is going to buy me a Netbook for the purposes of Advanced
Qualitative Research in the spring, so that I can learn to use and learn one
computer for that class. I am going to
spend time practicing Atlas.ti and getting the computer ready for the
semester. Also, since you mentioned that
we will pick an area/method of qualitative research to investigate deeply as
individuals in Advanced Qualitative Research in the spring, I am going to spend
up on either Case Study, Phenomenology, Narrative Analysis, and/or Ethics of
Online Data. If you think one is more
preferable than the other, please let me know so that no time is wasted.
"The point to this rant is just to say that a lot of the time that could have been devoted to reading more of the recommended texts for learning more about DA was taken up by my efforts to try and learn Atlas.ti." And this is exactly what I didn't want to happen and why I encouraged people NOT to let this happen but instead just stop using ATLAS.ti rather than go crazy....so I'm not sure why you kept at it?
ReplyDelete: (
The same is true for 659 in the spring - I don't want people going crazy or spending money just because I am requiring ATLAS.ti. It's one thing if you definitely think you want to use it and want to invest the time and money into that - but I don't want it to be only for the class requirement. That said, I would recommend being sure to choose a new netbook or laptop that has a big enough screen that you can actually see your HU - that's been one problem with the CEHHS netbooks.
If CA/DA is something you want to continue with, you can also focus on that in the spring. We have only touched the surface of it this semester. If not, then it truly is up to you which methodology you want to focus on - if this is related to your Facebook study idea then we can talk more about that at some point as you make your decisions for the spring.