A Child's Advocate: December 2011

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

When I think about research....

What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?

I’ve learned so much more from this course than I had originally thought. I was even worried about taking the class due to the term ‘research’. I have a new appreciation for those who perform research and a better understanding of the importance they provide to any field in which they work.

In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?

I have been enlightened to see that working in research encompasses much responsibility and much care towards participants. It is not the get the facts anyway you can approach that I had thought of. Researchers must be very careful in providing ethical concerns, validity, and reliability.

What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?

I learned the most important part of research is the consent and the participants, if that is what you are researching. I learned there are several ways to collect data and also several methods in which using other professionals can become helpful. Working with children always requires sensitivity and although some being studied are young, their outcome and ethical concerns with them are still highly important.

What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?

My biggest challenge in this course was coming to terms with my own personal issues for my study. After discussing my topic with my instructor in the form of an assignment, I was able to see from her comments that I perhaps needed to step back from my own biases on a couple of points before I could move forward into helping others with my research.

What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?

My ideas have been continually modified through taking all of my Walden courses. With this course I would say that getting your hands dirty in research and trying to come up with new solutions and better ways of helping children and families is only the beginning in what we can do, but is the most important step.

As always, I have appreciated greatly the support and help from my colleagues. Your ideas and comments have been beneficial to my growth as a student and professional. Thank you!

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Research Around the World

I decided to answer the following questions through the website, EECERA, the European Early Childhood Education Research Association. The link is http://www.eecera.org/conferences/.

What are some of the current international research topics?

I read that the organization just had a conference in September of this year in regards to how researching is being done in early childhood, and where exactly can they expand and improve. In fact, to word them correctly, “This theme focuses on what practices exist for early education and what should be developed?” (EECERA. (2011)

What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website?

From the notes of the conference, I was able to observe that the same issues they were discussing, economic versus education, obtaining an inclusive classroom, educator training and qualifications, are the same issues we have been discussing throughout our Walden journey.

What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?

I found a topic titled “Aims of EECERA” and within this tab I read the organization lives up to. They perform and create new and advanced ways to research everything that deals with early childhood. With the changing times and more and more people suing over every little thing, I would guess that finding ways to research without crossing anyone’s boundaries would be a little difficult. I also read that they offer awards to students who are currently enrolled in a postgraduate college who choose to write research papers and present them to the organization. Many of the requirements were familiar to me from what I have learned from my current class.

EECERA. (2011) 21st EECERA Annual Conference Switzerland 2011. Retrieved from http://www.eecera2011.org/.

Personal Childhood Web

Terry- A neighbour of mine when I was a teenager. She was like a big sister in a way and treated me like my age instead of like a small child. I could confide in her and she helped me through a sticky situation when I was in high school. She taught me that although things seemed bad at the time and like there was no possible way out, that all things end eventually. That thought has helped me through some tough times in my life.
Chris- My brother. Chris joined the service when I was young, but when I'd visit him he never ceased to congratulate a grade or a new step in my life. He is someone who gives appreciation and shows admiration to everyone. He is intense to learn more about you and to help you feel better about yourself along the way. He carries my favorite trait which is sometimes hard to find- common sense. I hope I have gathered at least a handful of his knowledge and kindness along the way. His open heart and courage to do good is a constant reminder to me that there is more to people than meets the eye.
Kathy- A friend of my mother's, she was and still is someone who tells it like it is. She would never hide anything about the truth to me and she was comical in telling it. If I had a question, Kathy had a straightforward answer. Still to this day Kathy will not hesitate to give meaningful opinions and life lessons to me. I don't call her enough, but I do think of her constantly especially when life throws me a curve ball and I make some kind of joke out of it!
Louise- A friend of my mother's, she was someone I could tell things to that I was afraid to tell my mom. She would comfort me and let me know I was normal and tried to figure out ways to help me in any situation. She stayed calm and optimistic and I always admired those traits about her that I wish I could have found at home. Louise has definitely taught me to stay true to myself and not try to change to meet another's needs. She's also taught me positivity lasts longer and doesn't create as many wrinkles.
Melanie- She was a childhood friend who had a stable family life and was very intelligent. She helped me study and she helped me see past what other's thought to find out what I thought. Melanie is someone who I assume went on to become some kind of life changing scientist. She showed me dedication, and for a young child to see a peer unafraid of committment to something left a lasting impression.