When I Think of Research...Building Research Competencies (EDUC - 6163 - 1)

                Over the past eight weeks I have obtained so much knowledge through taking the course Building Research Competencies.  My study started off learning the principles of high-quality research: ethical, purposeful, well designed, transparent, contextualized, credible, careful, imaginative and equitable.  It goes on to explain the different types of triangulation.  The book also talks about the importance of validity, being confidential, gaining parental consent and using deception while taking risks.  It discussed the difference between direct observation and using interviews.  It listed the different steps in each category.  Some of the information was a review, but a lot of it was very much new.

            It has opened my mind to being more careful while performing my research tasks.  I must be extra careful to follow ethical rules, but also I have found that I prefer to use direct observation over interviews.  It has taught me to be sure that I plan ahead, so that I am in no danger of ever asking a child a question that will bring about stress for them.  The child should always be at ease.   

            While in this class, my main challenge was developing a research question.  I had to change my question several times to get to the right thing I wanted to say.  But, in the end I feel like I created the right question for the task at hand.  Upon completing this course I know feel like I am more efficient in my research skills which I am applying to my new found knowledge.

Building Research Competencies (EDUC - 6163 - 1) Research Around the World

          My research around the world was completed through the European Early Childhood Education Research Association website.   As soon as I clicked the link I saw the link for the Pacific Early Childhood Research Association (PECERA).  The mission for this website is to disseminate and support research in early childhood education within the pacific area.  Some of the chapters within the PECERA includes: Australia, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Philippines and USA.  Just a few of its objectives are as follows: to provide the academic forum, facilitate the cooperation and collaboration, promote links between research and raise the visibility and status of the research.  These objectives can be accomplished through the following techniques: attending the annual conferences, subscribing to the research journal that is being published, organizing the professional development of yourself and your staff and engaging in the activities that are existing within your community.  These are some great ways to increase your current center with a higher level of quality as well.

            On March 2, 2014 there was an article that mentioned the appropriate ways to use technology within the classroom.  On March 24, 2014 there was an article that discussed the most important skills for a ECE teacher to develop.  Even within my current profession both of these are very useful topics.  My current research stimulation topic deal with the skills that are being passed on from the teacher to the student.  By skills I mean good manners, respect, integrity, honesty and other qualities that the youth of tomorrow must have.  However, there is still so much that I am unaware of when it comes to using the technology within the classroom.  This is my first year dealing with the "Smart Board."  I declare the kids are teaching me how to use it.  There is so much for them to do on there.  When I was growing up, we used to watch the large overhead projectors.  Now times are changing and we really need to keep up or the technology will pass us by.

            Through the website I did learn that there are not only conferences being held, but also there are journal article and online meetings that can be viewed to provide training sessions for the staff.  There are several things available to provide growth to the staff.  The leader just need to get online and find them.  Most information are going to be the same across the board, it is just the techniques that people use that makes them unique and different.