When I Think of RESEARCH...

I remember at the start of this course having very conflicting and overwhelming views of  what I would be required to do. I was completely overwhelmed with life itself, let alone the idea of 8 weeks of research. I have gained a lot of calming information about what it takes to research ideas successful, but I still have a few mountains to climb related to research overall.  I loved the constructive feedback throughout the course, and have gained a better understanding of how to developing and completing a valid research study.

I can admit that I have always been fearful of completing any form of research. Even though I have become more comfortable wih the process of researching, I am still a bit nervous about the whole thing. After going through this course I have learned the steps, terms, and methods of research, which have easied my concerns. The best part of this course is that I am now able to pick and choice appropriate methods and processes that work each type of research study I am a part of.

Throughout this course I have been going through many life changing events, so focusing on soemthing that I already found overwhelming was even more overwhelming. I found myself getting frustrated and losing my drive. I eventually had to seek a counselor, calm down, and push through not only the class, but more importantly my life situation. After refocusing,  I was able to get a full understanding of the research process and was also able to complete the course; gettingone step closer the my goal. After finding the base of my research study, I actually found my research useful in my educational career  which included: creating a Food Drive to help out our local Food Bank, implementing the Buddy Back Pack Program (where low-income students are able to use a new food pantry on campus to take food tiems home over weekends), and implementing the first annual  tree angel program (where faculty and staff are able to adopt a family in need over Thanksgiving and Christmas. I have also become more interested in creating a child care center that assists the families in lower-income areas and possibly starting a Head Start Program in my community.

 

    Some of the challenges I faced during this course were more personal then course related. Of course  personal issues become concerns during the process of the course, but I was able to regroup and get the overall idea of the research process. I found myself struggling this section of 8 weeks, forcing me to go over information repeatedly and pretty much praying I completed the assignment correctly. I looked to feedback from my colleagues and professor to ground me and keep me going even when I wanted to throw in the towel. 

I always knew I wanted to own a Child Care and Learning Center, but after this course I see their is a bigger need in low-income areas for a center that can offer a higher level of education and care for the students. I found myself a few courses ago becoming more interested in the Head Start Program, but that too is limited to specific students and families. I want now to create a center that can embrace families in need, hold a high standard of acheivement, and provide the best education and care I can too ALL  children. 

I feel I have found my career calling after this research course.

Thanks ALL!!!!

Research Around the World

I had the opportunity to review a current topic presented by the Early Childhood Australian organization (ECA). The organization advocated for all young Australians, their families, and the ealry childhood profession.

One of the newly presented research by ECA showed that nearly 70% of people asked feel that affordable early childhood education programs was more important that Paid Parental Leave (PPL) for young families. This finding was not surprising at all to me, because I know if surveyed I would have chosen the same. Unfortunately, affordable child care and education does not mean (at all) that the child would receive the same high quality/standards as higher costing centers/ programs. It would be amazing to have the government in both locations (America and Australia) come together on demanding high quality with affordable prices, so that all children/families would have access to the best educational systems.

The poll conducted was in response to the current debates related to the PPL. After reading this article, I became interested in the PPL concerns and wondered if the US had some sort of like poll or survey, but was unable to find one. The ECA, like me, is very supportive of an effective idea in supporting parents in their ability to spend time with their families, however with spending time some parent must send their children you care centers and need to know/expect their children are getting the best education at the best price.

I liked this website because it had multiple links to research through. They not only presented their personal views and concerns, but also recognized others and respected them. The website and organization posted numerous magazine subscriptions and even allowed viewers to see sample articles from the Early Childhood News. GREAT RESOURCE!

Reference:
Early Childhood Australia. A voice for young children. Retrieved from http://www.earlychildhoodastralia.org.au