When I Think of Research........

This week we are to discuss and reflect on what we have learned and what we think of research.

 What Insights have you gained about research from taking this course.

I have gained instrumental information in knowing that you need to research what interests you and the purpose of the research you want to work hard within the expectations of the design you have chosen.

In the early childhood professional when conducting research on children you need to know that children are able to provide an abundance of data about their own experience and education. I have also come to the realization that there are challenges with interviewing children such as creating activities in which children may not find of interest building a rapport or relationship with the children before you interview them.

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

I know that research should be taken very seriously and can be time consuming, if you want to get a thorough research. I recognize that as a professional in early childhood that it is my responsibility to ensure that research is done for the good of children, parents and the early childhood profession, not for financial reasons but for children and families.

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

In planning the research you want to ensure you are gathering good ideas. I know what is to be researched and how, when, and where the research is to take place. Who will the participates be, the data to be gathered and how I will analyze the data. The design of the research has options and choices. In the process of the design you need to seek balance in the broad topic studied, the original ideas that shape the investigation of the research and the interpretation of the initial thoughts into researchable questions.

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

One challenge was developing my research question which was initially too broad. I know now that when you develop and begin your research question you want to be precise. I also realize now that in developing a research you need to focus on a general area to research and refinement of the general topic is necessary. You can break the general topic into subtopics and consider how you might address them.

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

My perceptions of early childhood professionals have been modified in that I realize the performing of research and the studying of research is very beneficial to early childhood professionals. It is our job to determine what our children need as well as parents in order for the children to succeed. If research is done for children more often that not then we will benefit children in tremendous ways. I feel as I journey through this career path I will need to become an effective researcher. Ensuring that my job as an early childhood professional is to conduct a research study that is for the good of our children.  

Research Around the World

 The international website I choose to explore and research was the "Early Childhood Australia" which is the Australian equivalent to the U.S based NAEYC. This website provided an abundance of information about early childhood in Australia. The Early Childhood Australia began in 1938, they were instrumental in establishing many early childhood groups. Their vision: "Every young child is thriving and learning." This organization   advocates for the best interests of young children and where necessary campaign for change. They develop and advocate policies on early childhood education and care. Promote increased awareness and understanding of the needs of young children and their families.

In exploring this website I found on the page a link for child.gov.au. There was information on childcare services. The Australian government offers childcare benefits in which the government helps with the cost of childcare. You have the option of receiving one annual lump sum payment or reduced child care fees throughout the year. The benefits are available if you meet requirements such as your child meets immunization requirements, you or your partner meets residency requirements, your child attends approved or registered care and you have the liability to pay for cost of your child care. The amount your received depends on your income the type of care you use, reason you are using the care and the amount of children you have in care. The following is research that has been done recently: 

Research and reports

Children and reading: A literature review

A report commissioned by the Australia Council for the Arts has been released summarizing current knowledge on children’s leisure reading. The report, written by Dianne Dickenson and Susan Barclay, identifies gaps in knowledge and looks at future research opportunities. The review was commissioned in response to the decline of children’s reading as measured by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

AEU—Equity in schools funding is best

Equity, excellence and inclusiveness in education is a new OECD report that looks at the negative effects of disadvantage for educational performance and highlights the need for equitable school funding. The Australian Education Union (AEU) has stated that the evidence from the report demonstrates that needs-based funding for schools is the best way to improve performance.

 

This website has great information on early childhood, providing several different links on early childhood as well as publications. This was a website that I would add to my collection of resources as I journey through my new career path. This site I found to be very similar to NAEYC here in the U.S.

 

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.ord.au/