Blog Assignment: When I Think of Research...

Blog Assignment: When I Think of Research...

We did it!! Another course down, almost done! Hope to see you all again down the road.

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

This class has been a challenge for me in every way. I have done my best to understand the weekly topics but it was too much for a small amount of time. The one thing that I can say about research and early childhood education is that it is necessary to have. Without proper research and researchers our field would not have upgraded throughout the years.

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

I have learned that performing a correct research is not an easy task. The planning has to be done with a precise objective in mind, what you want to gain from the research. The designing is also tough, prior research has to be done to find out if the topic was researched before and if it was what the results were. The conducting has to be well organized, how is the observation going to be (interview, observation, or both) and how the information is going to be collected.

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

The professionals that have dedicated their careers to research have my admiration, this is not easy but it is definitely necessary. Research is a very detailed task that for it to be considered valid it has to be done to precision.

Research Around the World

I love to do these types of research; it gives me the opportunity to learn about organizations that are trying to do something to better children’s life in other parts of the world. For this particular blog I have decided to look in to European Early Childhood Education Research Journal (EECERJ). EECERA is an independent, self-governing, international association which promotes and disseminates multi-disciplinary research on early childhood and its applications to policy and practice (http://www.eecera.org/ 2010).

Some of the topics that have been published in their journal are; Teaching to learn and learning to teach (in Volume 19, Issue 1, 2011), Hearing voices: participatory research with preschool children with and without disabilities (in Volume 19, Issue 3, 2011),  Signs of knowledge: the appropriation of a symbolic skill in a five-year-old (in Volume 19, Issue 3, 2011) (http://www.eecera.org/ 2010).

Other than the journals offered through this website, there is not very much information on early childhood research. So, me loving to research international organizations, found the website for The NZ Early Childhood Research Network. They bring fresh thinking to early childcare and education.  Research, policy, and practice is brought together to inform, educate, and assist (http://www.childforum.com/ 2010).

Although the articles and journals are for members only, this is an organization in New Zealand that is doing everything to bring new ideas on early childhood education.

References

http://www.childforum.com/

http://www.eecera.org/countrycoordinators/

Blog Assignment: Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

Before my son “graduated” from Head Start he was asked to participate in a study that was being done by Florida State University. It was directed with to Hispanic students and their education; they asked questions every few months concerning what the child was learning. They went to see him a few times at the Head Start and at the elementary school he attended after Head Start. They had him read and comprehend stories; after he was able to “conquer” his age appropriate stories they began to give him harder and harder stories.  I am unsure of what the results of the study were because we moved from town and lost track of the researchers.  I went on the website trying to find the study that we participated in but it’s not there, I can’t remember what the study is called.  

Personal Research Journey

During every training that I have taken the organization that gives them, which is also the organization that gives the preschool accreditation, has suggested that we (the preschool) add a lesson plan for our outside time. We have added this to every classrooms schedule and the children love it. The teachers are not so thrilled because they are adding a transition to their already busy day. So this is when my simulation comes into play, I want to figure out what are the benefits for taking the classroom to the playground. I want to show the teachers that it is beneficial to the children, but I want proof for what I have to say.

Final Blog

I have enjoyed this class because I have been able to extend my personal resource list, learn about new topics regarding the early childhood field, and have been able to learn more about the people that have been taking this educational journey with me. Unfortunately I have not been able to get in contact with an international early childhood professional, but I have enjoyed listening to the podcast provided through our class.

The consequences of learning about the international early childhood field for your professional and personal development are only positive consequences, I have been able to learn that children around the world are given the chance for a better future; I have also learn how many governments are making new laws and regulations to support this field.

These are just a few references I have added to my personal list

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/

http://www.naeyc.org/links

http://developingchild.harvard.edu/activities/global_initiative/

http://www.nlci.org/News-and-Events.html

Although I have not been able to get in contact with an international early childhood professional I will continue to try beyond this class. I want to share ideas, thoughts and concerns with people from different cultures. I want to learn how to teach my children about the world that surrounds us.

Getting to Know Your International Contacts—Part 3

This resource is wonderful; I will put it on the top of my resource list and will use it for any world wide information for the future. The organization does not focus on one thing alone but they actually try to fix every aspect of a child’s life. I really liked the purpose; UNESCO works to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared values. It is through this dialogue that the world can achieve global visions of sustainable development encompassing observance of human rights, mutual respect and the alleviation of poverty, all of which are at the heart of UNESCO’S mission and activities. UNESCO focus on education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, and the one I like the most is culture.

I truly and completely love their efforts to pass along the culture of the country they are helping. The mission of UNESCO is to advance knowledge, standards and intellectual cooperation in order to protect, safeguard and manage the tangible and intangible heritage; to promote the diversity of cultural expressions and the dialogue of cultures with a view to fostering a culture of peace. The main themes that the organization supports are Cultural Diversity, World Heritage, Intangible Heritage, Underwater Cultural Heritage, Movable Heritage and Museums, Creativity, Dialogue, Normative Action, and Emergency Situations.

Under the focus of education there many themes they have;  Climate Change Education, Early Childhood, Economic Crisis and Education, Education for Sustainable Development, Higher Education, HIV & AIDS Education, Human Rights Education, Languages in Education, Post-Conflict Post-Disaster in Education, Teacher Education, Technical and Vocational Education & Training, and many more.

Reference

United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (1995-2011), Retrieved on October 22, 2011 from http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/

Sharing Web Resources

The main resource that I use to find information about anything pertaining of the child care field is The National Association for the Education of Young Children (http://www.naeyc.org/links).  I have visited a few websites from this list, including the National Latino Children’s Institute. Their mission is to focus the nation's attention on the contributions and challenges of young Latinos by advocating for their success and well being through partnerships and programs. I really enjoy this website because of all the initiatives it has on helping Latino children have a better future. I have not received the e-newsletter from this organization; I have decided to look for more information from other resources.

Going through the list I found a link that could have been really beneficial for me a few years back, and that I can suggest to other trying  to find quality childcare. The National Daycare Directory; National Daycare Directory is an online "Daycare Directory for Loving Parents". We have taken the liberty to do the legwork for you. Reaching out to each facility to gain a complete understanding of each location before allowing them to place their daycare on our site.

Reference

http://www.nationaldaycaredirectory.com/

http://www.naeyc.org/links#i

http://www.nlci.org/common/index2.htm