Reflection on Research

As I complete this last week of Research in Education, I have gained knowledge and understand regarding the process involved in creating and carrying out research.  The first insight that I have gained, and probably the most important, is the sheer quantity of time that is required during the planning phase of research.  From my limited perspective, prior to this course, my understanding of research was the time application during the data collection portion of research.  After concluding this course, I am aware that the planning portion of the research design is probably the most intensive part.  Another insight that I gained from this course are the many considerations that must be taken into account when designing research.  From equity to bias, and cultural aspects to consent, there are so many ideas that must be looked at in order to conduct valid, relevant research.  

My ideas regarding the nature of doing research have changed in that, although the planning process is intensive, it is a must in order to be successful and validated in your research.  I feel confident in my ability to define a research question and plan the research design.  Although I would need to be under the guidance of an experienced researcher, I believe that I could be successful in the process of research design.  

One of the challenges that I encountered was choosing a topic of research that would be relevant to not only the field of education, but to my specific interests.  After choosing that topic, I also faced the challenge of redefining the idea into a workable research question.  This took a few tries and many considerations, but I was finally able to define a specific hypothesis for research.  Another challenge was simply trying to understand the limitless options in regard to the different types of research and the ways to go about collecting data.  There are many considerations when choosing the data collection methods and choosing the right one for my specific question took some understanding and thinking before I was able to identify the one that would work the best.

Finally, my perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course to include potential researcher as a characteristic of a quality professional.  In the field of education, understanding the importance of research, being able to identify quality research, and promoting the idea of being a researcher are all aspects of a professional in the field.  

International Research: Australia

I chose to look up information regarding Australia's early childhood research.  I chose Australia because during the last course, my international contact was from Australia.  I learned a great deal about early childhood from my correspondence with her.  Trish is the director of an early childhood center that was made up of about 60 children.  The main ideas regarding early childhood care in Australia is centered around the development of National Standards that oversee all early childhood centers within the country.  The development of these National Standards has lead to an overhaul of the early childhood system in Australia and the new push is towards excellence in all centers. 

From my contact with Trish, and from reviewing the website provided for this week, I learned that much of the current research in Australia is the same as in the United States.  One such research aspect is the idea of higher levels of education for early childhood workers.  With the new standards in Australia, the level of education required for early childhood teachers is increasing as the research shows that better care is provided by those teachers with higher levels of education.  There is also a push in the standards for play based learning in classrooms, which comes directly from the current research regarding the way children learn.  Low wages are also a current issue in Australia as the research also shows that those teachers who are paid better wages are more likely to stay with the career reducing staff turnover, which has been shown to have a positive effect on the children in early childhood programs.

I learned a great deal of information regarding the early childhood changes that are currently taking place in Australia.  I think the information on the website, along with my knowledge from the last class, has provided me with a better understanding of the importance of quality national standards and the impact that they make on children in early childhood programs.  I think in the near future, we will begin to see some of these changes taking place, particularly thanks to the current research on topics such as teacher education, higher wages, and play based learning.

Research Competency: Week 3 (Daycare vs. Home)

Option 2: Imagine that you possess the means and the knowledge to conduct research studies about any topic in the early childhood field. Imagine further that you are not restricted by the reality of the present. Imagine that your study will make a major positive contribution to the well-being of children and/or their families. What topic would you choose? What can you imagine the positive contribution(s) would be?


If I could choose any topic to research and had no limits to my research capabilities, I would choose to research the impact of raising children at home versus in a daycare setting.  The debate between choosing a career over raising children is a topic that I have always been interesting in learning more about.  As a former professional (teacher), who had two young children in daycare and gave up my career during the pregnancy of child number three to stay home due to the high cost of daycare, I can see both side of the argument.  We loved our daycare and felt that it provided a loving, nurturing, educational setting for our children, but also see the value in them being home with me during their early childhood years. 

I would focus my research on the long-term effects and outcomes of children who were raised in a home setting (being cared for by a parent) and those who were cared for in an early childhood setting on a full-time basis.  I would look at different characteristics such as attachment, social abilities, educational success, and health issues.  I believe that this research could provide valuable information to mothers and families who are having a hard time deciding on the best option for their children.  The conclusions of the research could have a great impact on early childhood as it could create a positive light for daycare, or provide the opportunity for changes that could lead to a more home like setting for early childhood programs.  I believe the research would have a great impact on children and families who are looking for answers when it comes to daycare versus staying at home. 

Research Competency: Week 2

For my research topic, I would like to focus on behavior issues and discipline in the classroom.  This is an issue that faces many childcare settings and is something that many teachers struggle with.  I have decided that the initial subtopic of this broader topic will focus on the connection between parenting styles and child behavior.  I am a firm believer that parents play a crucial role in the behaviors of their child.  I understand that there are instances where all children will act out regardless of the parents, but that there is a larger connection between the interactions between the child and parent and the overall temperament and behavioral patterns in children. 

I chose this topic as it is one that I have dealt with in many areas.  In the daycare where my daughter was for the first year of her life, there were several children who displayed negative behaviors and they seemed to baffle the childcare providers.  I often felt that my daughter did not get as much attention from the caregivers as she was well behaved and had an easy temperament.  Once I became a kindergarten teacher, I was faced with many instance of children who displayed negative behaviors and I could often link them with certain aspects of the parenting styles that their parents displayed.  I believe that as we strive to work with children from all backgrounds, it is important to understand the role of parenting styles in the behaviors of the children.  This will provide the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the children and the background that may also provide clues to their behaviors.

My personal experience so far with developing a research simulation has been slightly frustrating.  I am not sure if I am on the right path with it and that is particularly discouraging.  I am also hoping that I have the information right when it comes to research versus a literature review.  In my mind, I am conducting my own research when looking up information regarding a question I have, but according to this course I am simply doing a literature review.  It is a little perplexing thus far.

I did enjoy filling in the research chart for this week's resources.  I think it gave me a better understanding of some terms that I would have simply read over and not understood in greater depth.  It allowed me to take the time to fully grasp the meaning of some research terms.  It also allowed me to reflect on the research process and think ahead to the parts of the research that I would enjoy the most.  I am still unsure that I am enjoying this class, but am finding the information worthwhile none-the-less.

Final Reflection: Issues and Trends

3 Consequences of Learning:

• Making an international contact is not as easy as it may seem.  There are many organizations that focus on childcare and early education throughout the world, but finding someone to partner with you one-on-one and to take the time to share information is difficult.  That places a high value on the time and energy of my own personal international contact and I am so grateful that she took me on this semester!
• As you learn about issues and trends relating to international children, you are no longer an uneducated party.  This means that once you are made aware of the issues and trends facing children in other countries, your obligation becomes one as an advocate of change.  Regardless of whether you advocate for change in another country or our own, there is a responsibility that comes with gaining knowledge.  You can no longer assume that because you did not know, you are not responsible to make a difference in a child's life.
• Given the similarities in many issues that are facing early childhood programs around the world, it is important to acknowledge that change can be made on an international level.  Children are similar regardless of where they live... they have the same needs, hopes, and dreams.  To understand the life of a child in another country, you simply need to understand the life of a child around you.  Their circumstances may be very different, but inside they need love and their basic needs met in order to be successful in life.

One Goal for the International EC Field:

• The elimination or reduction of poverty is my goal for the EC field, in our own country and throughout the world.  There are so many damaging effects of poverty on children and families and so many small changes that could improve a families livelihood, that it seems irresponsible to not address this on a global scale.  There are many agencies that strive to make this their primary goal and supporting these agencies is an excellent way to advocate change.

My International Contact: Part 3

Trish, the director of a child care center in Australia, has much insight to offer regarding issues and trends in early education in her country.  Here are her responses to this week's questions:

What issues regarding quality and early childhood professionals are being discussed where you live and work?

Trish replied that one of the issues regarding professionals in the field is quality and qualifications, with the push being towards a better, more-highly qualified staff.  The former requirement for classroom teachers was simply a diploma.  Now there is a requirement for  Bachelor's degrees and a teaching licence if working with children the year before they enter formal schooling (much like our Pre-K programs here).  With this being a new push, there is a gradual phasing in approach.  By 2014, all programs, regardless of numbers or ages of children, must have a full-time person on site who has a Bachelor's degree, and by 2018 must employ at least two full-time people with Bachelor's degrees.  Although this new push has increased the recognition of the importance of Early Education, there is little recognition of the need for increased wages.  The same wage issues present themselves in Australia as they do in the US, with low pay and little recognition.  Trish did mention large labor unions who are fighting for better wages to accompany higher standards.  The National Standards, that I have mentioned in prior posts, are creating better programs nationwide, while still allowing for states to carry out the assessments and ratings according to the Federal Authority (Australian Children's Education and Care Quality Authority, also known as ACECQA).

What opportunities and/or requirements for professional development exist?

Trish stated that professional development is not mandated by law in Australia for ECE professionals, but is left to each facility to keep their educator up to date on best practices and changes.  It is also part of the quality measures that each program assesses when implementing the new standards.  There is a program in Trish's state and region that provides funding for professional development for EVE professionals.  Participants are simply required to pay a small fee, based on the session time.  Trish is part of the Professional Support Network in her State and meets with her team every six weeks to organize professional Development programs for their region.  She states that due to this funding, she is able to send her entire staff for the same cost that it would have been to send one!

What are your professional goals, hopes, dreams, and challenges?

Trish is fully committed to attaining the national rating of excellence for her program.  She also is studying to complete her Bachelor's in ECE to upgrade her own credentials to meet the needs of her students and staff.  She also believes her role is to fight for the rights of children under the Australian Code of Practice and also the United Nation's Convention on Rights of the Child.  At the end of the day, it is Trish's goal that she would have made a difference in the life of just one child.  She states, "The best things we can provide young children with is the opportunity to engage in quality play based learning, while in a place where they are loved and respected, safe and secure."

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It is with great gratitude that I have been able to work with Trish over the last few weeks.  She is an inspiration to me, and her heart and passion for her work and the children and families she works with is clearly evident in the way she describes her center.  Thank you, Trish, for all your insight and wisdom!  Good luck in your journey of changing the world, one child at a time!

Sharing Web Resources, cont. 2

www.naeyc.org

Outside Links:  There are so many outside links within the NAEYC website.  Some of them lead to the positions statements and standards set by NAEYC.  These are very valuable in looking at equity and excellence as they are a solid basis for national standards that may be considered in the near future.  Other outside links such as affiliates and research lead to outside sources containing much information on current issues and trends in the field.

One Area:  One area in particular that I looked at extensively is the link to the magazine, Young Children.  As a member of NAEYC, I am granted access to this online magazine that contains valuable information about issues and trends in education.  These are very important to me as a new early childhood educator and student as I begin this journey to change the lives of children.  Young Children provides well-written, relevant articles from many avenues of the field.  There are many options to search for specific information as well as the option to browse through issues online.

E-newsletter:  I do not get a newsletter so there is no new information contained in such that would provide information on current trends and issues.

New Insights:  As I search through the website and become more familiar with what it offers, I begin to better understand the issues and trends currently facing the field.  There are so many different issues, ideas, trends, and trainings that are part of this rapidly changing and advancing field.  The lives of many children hinge on early childhood programs and it is my duty to do what I can to influence their lives.  This website gives me a strong basis for this influence and plenty of information to continue on my path of professionalism.