Research is not so Bad!

 During this course I have learned so much about research.  I think the most important insight I gained is how to recognize valid sites for information.  This is important for any research.  Prior to this class, I had never noticed key words before and just overlooked author credentials.  I now understand how these bits of information are important  and why they are important.

My ideas of the nature of doing research has changed in that now I know a main idea has to be continuously broken down to a more precise area of concentration.  Broad topics are very difficult to research and we need to identify the main idea that we want to investigate and know more about.   I think this has been the most challenging for me.  I feel that I have overcome this by really concentrating and looking deep into my research question to examine what it is I want to know.  With each bit of research I do, I fine tune my expectations even more.

When it comes to planning and designing research, I learned that you have to take it step by step.  Research is not something that can be rushed through.  It is very tedious and time consuming.  This is why it is important to break things down into small manageable projects.

I feel that this course has helped me to become better prepared to do research in the future as an early childhood professional.  I feel confident now that I will be able to be successful in research.

Research Around the World

I chose to look at Early Childhood Australia website.

On this website, I found the following current international research topics:

·         Everyday learning about responding to the emotional needs of children.

·         Research in practice series: Planning in the context of the EYLF: Powerful, practical and pedagogically sound.

The website allows you to view their newsletter. In the most current issue, there is an article titled Kids Haven’t  Changed; Kindergarten Has.  I thought this was interesting because as I have read in many other articles and newsletters, this issue is very hot even in the United States.  It was interesting to me to learn that this was an issue in other parts of the world.

Another article was about challenges in childcare.  This article discussed the decline in childcare workers due to low wages. 

 I found this site to be very informative. I really enjoyed learning about the research in practice series.  This is an easy to read resource, offering effective new approaches for challenging issues which arise in the care and education of young children.  This is a link that I want to explore more and possibly subscribe to.

Resource

Early Childhood Australia:  Retrieved at www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

Research That Benefits Children and Families

I found a very interesting article in regards to research on pesticides and cancer found in children.  In this research, parents of children with cancer were interviewed and asked the following three questions:

                1). If the household had ever been exterminated for pests that required the family to leave the residence for a period of time;

                2). If the yard had ever been treated with pesticides or herbicides to control insects and weeds; and

                3). Had they ever used hanging pest strips inside the home.

What was found is that homes exterminated were linked with children who had lymphoma type cancer but no other types.  The study did not prove a strong connection between extermination and brain cancer.

With the use of yard insecticides and herbicides, a strong but imprecise connection was found between them and soft sarcomas.  Certain pesticides are also likely to be related to non-Hodgkin’s disease in adults.  Certain insecticides such as Diazinon, was related to leukemia in men, but was not tied to leukemia in children.

The use of pest strips are strongly associated with not only leukemia but also brain tumors.

In this study, the following conclusions were made:  pest strips are associated with certain childhood cancers; and second, we need more study to determine specific duration times and more specific pesticides.

Reference:

Leiss, J. & Savitz, D. (1995).  Home pesticide use and childhood cancer: a case-control study.  American Journal of Public Health;  Feb, 1995;  85(2) p 249-252.   Retrieved from Proquest Central.

Research Journey

For the simulation project I have decided to focus on teaching methods used in  other cultures.We are living in a very diverse country now and I see so many cultures integrated in the classrooms.  As an educator, I feel that it is important that I am familiar with what children from other countries are use to in their education.  This will help me be more effective for them and also help them be more comfortable in a new setting and also help them become more successful learners.

From some of my previous experiences, I have learned that many cultures find it necessary to be in your face when speaking and if there is distance between you it is offensive.  Is this true in the classrooms also?  I want to find out.  Some articles I have ran across for various cultures states that students are encouraged to do all work in small/large groups to build social skills and problem solving.  Yet others encourage students to work independently to build their own knowledge and confidence.

I am very eager to get started on this research journey and share everything I learn with my classmates and colleagues.

International Education

During these 8 weeks I have learned so much by interacting with international sites. First I learned that many iissues we face here in the United States are shared amongst other countries.  It was interesting to discover the extent of the issue elsewhere but also to discover ways they are tending to them.  Second, I have so much more insight now on websites and publications that as an educator will benefit me in my career path. Thirdly these interactions helped me realize that it is important for all leaders to come together and develop a plan to help ensure the education of our youths.  The widespan gap in education due to status is devastating and is something that can be and should be dealt with.

My goal is to keep visiting these sites and to subscribe to as many publications as I can to help me develop better understanding and to keep up with current issues of trends and issues.  This will help me become a better advocate for children that have no voices.

International Early Childhood Professionalism

The UNESCO website is a very complex site.  I like how it is not only for early childhood but also secondary and adult education.   The site allows you to explore tabs in regards to education, culture, social and human services, etc.  There is so much information on this site. 

UNESCO adopts every 6 years a strategy which guides the objectives and expectations for the organizations work.  Their mission statement is:  “As a specialized agency of the UN system, UNESCO contributes to the building of peace, the alleviation of poverty, sustainable development and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information.”

From this site, I learned that 10.5 million children die a year from preventable diseases.  This is so heart wrenching to know that this could be prevented with care.  UNESCO  advocates for childrens health and nutrition.  They are believers in the holistic development of children. 

One site I explored was an article on Education for All.  This is a global committee that is focused on providing quality education for children and adults.  By the year 2015, 164 Governments pledged to meet 6 goals and to provide EFA.  These goals are:

1)  Expand and improve Early Childhood Care and Education especially among the most vulnerable.
2)  Ensure that all children, especially girls, underprivileged and minority groups, have access and complete a high quality program.
3)  Ensure that life skill programs and appropriate learning is available to all young people.
4)  Have a 50% increase in adult literacy by 2015.
5) To have gender equality in education by 2015.
6) To improve the quality of education and see measurable outcomes in literacy, math and life skills.

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/strengthening-education-systems/early-childhood/

Sharing Web Resources

I have been following the NAEYC website.  Today I chose to follow the link titled families.  Under this heading, the organization explains various programs and opportunities available to parents. 

In exploring the website for NAEYC, I found a link (Right Choice for Kids), that took me to an article about Engaging Diverse Families. This article identifies 10 programs and effective ways they reach out to involve diverse families.  NAEYC then shares this information with struggling programs trying to help their families.  The site also gives recommendations to parent s on what they should be looking for when choosing a program that promotes diverse participation.

From the site, it confirmed what I already knew.  That many programs struggle with including diverse cultures into the class.   It also reinforces that a meaningful relationship between families and school helps promote school readiness and later academic success.

I thought it was interesting that the NAEYC identifies using newsletters as a way to involve diverse families.  The organization recommends that in newsletters we should include community events that are happening, lending library information and tips on child development.   By doing these few things, programs are extending the learning outside of the classroom which encourages more parent involvement.

For more information on the organizations recommendations, visit the site at 

http://www.naeyc.org/