When I Think of Research...

Week 8 Blog Assignment

As we conclude our studies of research, take time to reflect on the experience:

• What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?
• In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?
• What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?
• What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?
• What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?

This has been an intense course designed to increase our ability to use research as a tool, to examine the articles based on specific criteria, understand ethical issues in early childhood research, become a designer of research, understand quantitative and qualitative data collection methods, we learned how to mixed methodologies to better serve our research designs, and finally how to move beyond equity to find justice and fairness in research.  

The nature of doing research is intense and very rewarding.  I have learned how to categorize data and make sense of it all through examining summaries and relevant information.

When planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood, it is necessary to consider biases and be ethical in all decisions for conception to conclusion.  This will affect the data and research study on so many levels.

A challenge I encountered throughout this process is determining which triangulation to use to determine validity in my simulation.  In was attracted to theory triangulation due to its multiple perspectives to interpret a single set of data, however I eventually decided on utilizing data triangulation for my study.  For my study, I would be collected mutilple  sources of data through direct observations, surveys, interviews and interactions, so this triangulation eventually won over (with the guidance of Dr. Terry).

My perceptions of early childhood professionals have been modified as a result of this course.  I respect anyone who dives into research for the betterment of young children.  The process is daunting, but so rewarding.  

Thank you to all of my colleagues for your guidance, support, and encouragement throughout this intense course!

Week 5 Assignment

For this Blog Assignment, choose one link and explore the available research. Let the following questions guide your search and respond to the following:

• What are some of the current international research topics?
• What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website?
• What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?

Early Childhood Australia: This is the Australian equivalent to the U.S. based NAEYC. You can access several links to early childhood research from the menu on the left side of the home page. 

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

There are several international research topics currently being explored by the Early Childhood Australia organization.  These include:

Respecting diversity: Articulating early childhood practice

Children's resilience: Working with the Early Years Learning Framework

Learning and teaching through play

Stars are made of glass: Children as capable and creative communicators

The Early Years Learning Framework: Building confident learners

The Early Years Learning Framework: Getting started

Optimistic carers and children: Pathways to confidence and wellbeing

Nurturing the spiritual child: Compassion, connection and a sense of self

Dealing with bullying together: Prevention and resolution

Portfolios: Documenting a journey

Treasures and collections: A touch of magic in the early years

Learnings from High/Scope: Enriching everyday practice

The Code of Ethics: A guide for everyday practice

The Circle of Security: Roadmap to building supportive relationships

Greening services: Practical sustainability

Dreaming Stories: A springboard for learning

Discovering letters and sounds

Capture the moment: Using digital photography in early childhood settings

Diversity and difference: Lighting the spirit of identity

Managing change with infants and young children

Young children as active learners

Active children: Healthy now and later

Young gifted children: Meeting their needs

Engaging families: Building strong communication

Storytelling with young children

Understanding children's feelings: Emotional literacy in early childhood

Overlooked curriculum: Seeing everyday possibilities

Aggression and young children

Revisiting celebrations with young children

Meaningful planning: Rethinking teaching and learning relationships

Learning with computers

Babies: Good beginnings last forever

Managing difficult behavior in young children

I examined the organizations Code of Ethics and discovered that there are similarities to our own NAEYC's Code of Ethics. 

"Inherent in this Code is the understanding that children learn within their family and community groups, bringing
rich knowledge, and a diversity of experiences and identities to their learning. Sociocultural theories have moved our
focus beyond individual children’s development to highlight the importance of social contexts to children’s learning
and development. As children participate and learn in their communities, they in turn influence those communities.
Early childhood communities ought to be spaces and places where practices such as responsive listening and dialogue can
build connections and relationships which sustain and advance individual and collective well-being.
Early childhood professionals have a strong history of advocating on behalf of children and their families. This revised Code builds on this tradition by making explicit the ethical responsibility to take action in the face of injustice and when
unethical practice occurs.  This Code is not intended to, and could not possibly provide, easy answers, formulate, or prescriptive solutions for the complex issues early childhood professionals face in their work.  As an aspirational document, it does provide a basis for critical reflection, a guide for professional behavior, and principles to inform individual and collective decision making."

The following values and processes are considered central to the Code of Ethics:

• respect
• democracy
• honesty
• integrity
• justice
• courage
• inclusivity
• social responsiveness
• cultural responsiveness

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/pdf/code_of_ethics/code_of_ethics_%20brochure_screenweb_2010.pdf

I found this site has multiple reliable and resourceful links to information on "supporting best practice" in early childhood education.  There arr over a hundred provided resources.  After examining several, I found new resources that I will be utilizing in the professional growth.

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/supporting_best_practice/supporting_best_practice.html