I have learned a great deal about the types of research and the different methods by which the information is gathered for the research. I also never realized the extensive preparation that goes into research before the study ever begins.
My ideas about the nature of research are not as cut and dry as they were before the course. There are more elements to research than I ever had considered before. I learned that there is a great deal of effort and planning that is required to even come up with a research question that is concise enough to research and still important enough to be meaningful to the education field.
I had a hard time narrowing down my topic for the simulation so that it would be workable if I were to really attempt the research. It was difficult for me to find one aspect of beginning literacy and focus on it without bringing other outside factors or other aspects of literacy into the equation. I worked through it by listening to the advice of Dr. Davis and rethinking what I felt to be the most valuable part of early literacy development.
My perception of early childhood professionals has definitely grown to include the researchers who I did not consider much before this course. As an educator, I strive to use the best practices in my classroom and the researchers make it possible for me to learn about the outcomes of different methods without having to conduct the research myself.
Good luck to all of you as you continue along your paths!
Jamie,
ReplyDeleteResearch is much more difficult and detailed than I ever thought. I have done lots of research but I guess I did not know the reason for doing what I did. This has been a difficult class but Dr. Davis was such a patient professor.
Thank you for your post,
Barbara