I would like to take this time to send a special "Thank You" to all of the followers of this blog. Thank you for your words of encouragement and feedback on the ideas posted throughout this journey so far. I look forward to continuing to post and share my new found knowledge with all of you.
When I think of research, I cringe! This is definitely not a topic that is one of my favorites but being in the field of early childhood education, this fear must be conquered. Research always seemed foreign and very uncomfortable for me. I have more confidence in my ideas in research projects and gaining the experience to produce a simulation research project to become more acquainted with the entire process. My ideas about doing research having not changed too much but I am more aware of the process that it takes in order to conduct an research project.
Before taking this course, I never considered the planning and design that it takes to put together a research project. The planning component of a research project requires extensive study and being familiar with the subject that you want to study. The designing portion of the simulation project was not a favorite because of the massive amount of detail and other consideration of outside factors that must be in place prior to completing the project. Conducting the experiment is the most interactive component and the part of the project that you must make sure the participants are actively involved in the process.
The challenges encountered in the research simulation was the failure to add more detail and consider all possible outcomes of the situation. The manner that I overcame this challenge was to try to think of how I would handle the situation if placed in it. I had to think as the parent, teacher, director and other professionals in the early childhood field.
After completing this research simulation, my perceptions of early childhood professionals has been modified especially for those that conduct research within the field. It is amazing the amount of time that these professionals take from their lives and the dedication to the field that they provide in order to make sure that other early childhood professionals can strive to do better.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Research Around the World
1. What are some current international research topics?
The website that I studies was Early Childhood Australia (http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au) advocates "to ensure quality social justice and equity in all issues relating to education and care of children from birth to 8 years old" (Early Childhood Australia, 2011). Many of the current topics focused on emotions, emotional development and child development in preschool children. One of the current research topic is a series entitled "The Early Years Learning Framework" which has many parts but it focuses on a new framework for early childhood that focuses on many topics like beginning the framework and assess student learning using the framework.
2. What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website?
I like the "Everyday Learning Series" because it provides chapter resources for parents and teachers that can be used daily on topics like emotions, bullying, friendships and coping with changes to name a few. The Early Childhood Australia Web Watch is a an e-newsletter that discusses child development and researchers in the field keeping current information on new trends and latest development in the field of early childhood education. In the current issue of ECA Web Watch, there is an article on "National Reconciliation Week" which promotes a book called "Building Bridges" documenting what parents view as important and their beliefs of what their child should learn in a preschool setting.
3. What other noteworthy information did you find on the website?
The website has an abundance of information about early childhood education throughout Australia. There is also information on code of ethics for the organization, branches for the ECA, ECA conferences, Australia state reports and ECA forums that provide early childhood educators to expand their knowledge and network with others in the field.
Reference
Early Childhood Australia (2011). Early Childhood Australia. Retrieved June 4, 2011 from http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org/au
The website that I studies was Early Childhood Australia (http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au) advocates "to ensure quality social justice and equity in all issues relating to education and care of children from birth to 8 years old" (Early Childhood Australia, 2011). Many of the current topics focused on emotions, emotional development and child development in preschool children. One of the current research topic is a series entitled "The Early Years Learning Framework" which has many parts but it focuses on a new framework for early childhood that focuses on many topics like beginning the framework and assess student learning using the framework.
2. What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website?
I like the "Everyday Learning Series" because it provides chapter resources for parents and teachers that can be used daily on topics like emotions, bullying, friendships and coping with changes to name a few. The Early Childhood Australia Web Watch is a an e-newsletter that discusses child development and researchers in the field keeping current information on new trends and latest development in the field of early childhood education. In the current issue of ECA Web Watch, there is an article on "National Reconciliation Week" which promotes a book called "Building Bridges" documenting what parents view as important and their beliefs of what their child should learn in a preschool setting.
3. What other noteworthy information did you find on the website?
The website has an abundance of information about early childhood education throughout Australia. There is also information on code of ethics for the organization, branches for the ECA, ECA conferences, Australia state reports and ECA forums that provide early childhood educators to expand their knowledge and network with others in the field.
Reference
Early Childhood Australia (2011). Early Childhood Australia. Retrieved June 4, 2011 from http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org/au
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