Research Learning

Taking this course has been without a doubt beneficial; I had no knowledge about the types of designs of research that were available to me, such as qualitative and quantitative design. Qualitative design is an approach that involves a collection of text-based data that seeks for an understanding rather than an explanation (Mac Naughton, Rolfe, & Siraj-Blatchford, 2010). On the other hand, quantitative is an approach is a more specific way of collecting data in order to draw conclusions based on the hypothesis (Mac Naughton, Rolfe, & Siraj-Blatchford, 2010).I’ve learned that there are different approaches in research, such as: developmentalist, feminist, behavioralist, just to mention a few. Such ontologies and epistemologies that the researcher adopts is the information that would be reflected in the study.  

Throughout this course I’ve gained knowledge about the different stages of the research process and what those stages demand. In planning you have to pose a question about a general topic begin with the “how”, “what”, and “why”; then reduce it to subtopics and analyze the nature of the question. In designing the researcher has to look for the key issues such as validity, which will be achieved through triangulation. Triangulation means using different methods of gathering data so that the researcher has a better understanding to compare and contrast (Mac Naughton, Rolfe, & Siraj-Blatchford, 2010).

There were also challenges about understanding research design that had me confused. For instance, creating a good research question that is not too broad and that could be researchable. Thanks to the recommendation from Dr. Kien, it is easier for me to create a researchable question. She shared some scripts according to the type of question you are looking for. According to Cresswell (2008):

Descriptive Questions: How frequently do (participants) (variable) at (research site)?
Relationship Questions: How does (independent variable) relate to (dependent variable) for (participants) at (research site)?
Comparison Questions: How does (group 1) differ from (group 2) in terms of (dependent variable) for (participants) at (research site)?

An early childhood professional has to be aware of the different types of research that there are and the bias that it may contain. It is important that as professionals we stay critical about the types of research and be judgemental. For example, look for research that involves mixed methods, heterogenous approaches, consolidation of powers,

Reference
Creswell, J. (2008). Educational research: Planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Mac Naughton, G., Rolfe, S.A., & Siraj-Blatchford, I. (2010). Doing early childhood research: International perspectives on theory and practice (2nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

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Early Childhood Australia

Looking at the research index topics from Early Childhood Australia the most recent research were: quality in early childhood programs, pretend play and children with autism, home-school relationships, transition to school for young children with disabilities, supporting literacy through poetry in Greek primary schools, and much more. Not all of the research topics were available for free, only some, but they also had really good information in other free articles.

I read one of the free articles that they had available about defiant behavior in children. The article talked about Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) meaning children who are constantly disobedient and present a defiant behavior.  The study demonstrated that in classrooms where teacher acknowledges good behavior in children, rather focusing in defiant behavior, have a more positive environment for all children specifically ODD children. It was also wisely said that the teacher should model the behavior that she wants to see and find ways to reinforce it. The study also demonstrated that the earlier the intervention the better long term results, “after age eight years, significant changes in oppositional and defiant behavior are difficult to achieve”.

http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/australian_journal_of_early_childhood/ajec_index_abstracts/getting-the-balance-rightthe-challenge-of-balancing-praise-and-correction-for-early-school-years-children-who-exhibit-oppositional-and-defiant-behaviour-free-full-text-available.html

I really liked this website because it provided information in raising confident children, early childhood perspectives, international views, advocacy, and much more. The articles are helpful for teachers in guiding children, as well as in guiding parents. They have what they called a “supporting best practice” tab and “ research in practice” tab, I believe these are great because you are given strategies based on research that have demonstrated to be effective, making your practice a competent one. 

Beneficial Research

In college I had the opportunity to participate in a Harvard research project. The research was about the way bilingual students transition from one language to another in a daily basis. They asked me questions about how I managed to use both languages in school and in my social experiences. I had a good time talking to the researcher and shared my learning experiences in school and my social.  To be honest I don’t know how the research concluded. But I’m sure it offered much to consider about the bigger minority group.  I believe that research is a very beneficial work because with every piece of research a new piece of the puzzle is found and offers a clearer view about what’s need to be done and take into consideration. It is true that research is not always constructive, but what is? Everything that is worth trying has a risk. I believe that the researcher should always have in mind that children are the primary beneficiaries.

Research Simulation Process: Beginning

For the research simulation topic I chose to focus on the power of parents in building a healthy social-emotional development for their child. This is interesting to me because as a direct source of information of the child; parents sometimes aren’t aware of the extent that their behavior and attitudes helps or hinders their child’s development. Researching more about this topic will give me the tools to better work with parents, as well as working with the child in the classroom.  

I must say that things that are challenging are the ones that stick to your head. I had to read the article “Shyness and emotion-processing skills in preschoolers” several times to understand it. Did any of you have trouble understanding the outcome of the research? I understood the method, but not so sure if I hit the conclusion part.

Revisiting the article this week made me aware of some details that I missed last week. So my overall experience has been beneficial, though, it took me some time to get used to it. Constructing my research chart has helped me greatly because I use it as a reference and helps me to navigate more confidently into the research world.

As always I offer the best of my capabilities to help you all, and I’m sure you’ll do the same for me.

Elisa

International Collegiality Learning Experience

Throughout this course I’ve learned about the importance of learning from exterior resources. Exploring new ways of doing things provides a better idea on how to approach a certain situation where one is having trouble with or simply add strategies to your teaching. Thanks to my fellow classmates and their research; I’ve learned about organizations, what they do and how they work, as well as different websites. There are 3 consequences of learning that I want to highlight about this experience:

First, I learned that the Zero to Three organization is a wealth of information in child development and advocacy. This organization showed me about the importance for supporting child trauma and the traumatic effects in a child’s life.

Second, searching in the international early childhood field made me aware of some initiatives around the world. Such is the case of Chile, the program Un Buen Comienzo strives to improve the early educational experiences of Chilean children (4-6 years old) through professional development for teachers for two years at municipal schools.

Third, I’ve learned that having collegiality it’s important to grow and learn in this field. In my case, I couldn’t establish contact with an international colleague, but reading some of my lucky classmate’s posts made me realize about the pleasurable experience it is to exchange ideas and learn from each other.

The one goal that I have was based on my third learning. Because collegiality is a very important step in professionalism, I compromise to help others in the best way I can when contacted and answer as soon as possible.  

UNESCO website

Browsing the UNSECO website, I found out some interesting papers relating equity, access, and quality.

The E-9 Initiative-  in 1993, nine high-population countries – Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria and Pakistan – launched the E-9 Initiative in regards of access to basic education. These 9 countries meet every 2 years and share their concrete progress among them. Due to the expectations of a growing number of dual income households, there will be more need for ECCE services. Mexico had the highest enrolment rate, 76%, with less private enrollment.  “In general, countries with a higher enrolment rate tend to show a smaller proportion of private enrolments. Public investment has a clearly positive association with expanded access. ”

In Brazil, even though they do invest on ECCE; the north region is the most economically disadvantaged in the country, with and enrollment rate of 39%. Thus, only a small amount of children are enrolled in expensive ECCE public services.  “In Brazil, the problem of inequity may have to do with an ineffective distribution of public resources”. This definitively accentuates my belief about the big role of politicians in the early childhood field.  

http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/001374/137408e.pdf

Separately, in New Zealand home based early childhood services are preferred among parents, due to the home like environment. Each homebased care at a qualified caregiver’s home has its coordinator. A qualified caregiver must hold Diploma of Teaching. The coordinator assigns a certain number of children for a certain number of hours. I think this is a great strategy for empowering women in the work force and at the same time the government sets its expectations and qualifications.  “Home-based services, along with other early childhood services receiving government funding subsidies, are reviewed externally by the Education Review Office (ERO), the government department with responsibility for reporting publicly on the quality of education in early childhood services/schools”.   The homebased caregiver is also required to attend to professional developments to ensure quality.

http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0013/001373/137381e.pdf

More on the Zero to Three website

Follow some of the outside links that you have not yet explored. Where do they lead?

I visited several websites regarding state policies and initiatives related to Quality Improvement in Arizona through the Zero to Three website. One webpage was hacked and the others couldn’t even be found. The one that I could investigate more on was the Quality First rating system in Arizona.  “Quality First is a voluntary rating system that assesses child care centers and home-based providers on safety, environment, curriculum, credentialing, and teaching style”. It is not mandatory and it it’s funded by the state government. When centers enroll to participate they are first evaluated and then they are given an improvement plan with supervising coaches that help them become a high quality program. When they implement the plan they are given funds for equipment, professional development for teachers, and even scholarships for low income children.  

http://www.azftf.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Thoroughly search one area of the site. What do you find?

I read a power point presentation: TOWARD A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR OUR YOUNGEST CHILDREN: Building A Strong infant-toddler Workforce and I found out some really good information. Because the first 3 years of life are crucial, and early experiences shape the architecture of the brain, those who are around young children should be professionals that care and are knowledgeable about child development. “Young children cared for by adults with higher levels of formal education and specialized training in child development have been found to be more sociable, exhibit more sophisticated use of language, and perform better on cognitive tasks”. So this means that the state and federal government should invest to promote high quality professionals, with better compensation for those who make the extra effort.

 http://www.zerotothree.org/public-policy/policy-toolkit/professional-development-final-for-web.pdf

If you receive an e-newsletter, follow a link related to one of the issues you have been studying. What new information is available?

In my Zero to Three newsletters the information I receive is regarding child development and parenting, which I happen to love. I have a 5 year old and a 9 month old baby, and to be honest I realized that I’ve forgotten some of the issues regarding parenting with babies. So the information I read has become a mind refreshing.  

Does the website or the e-newsletter contain any information that adds to your understanding of equity and excellence in early care and education?

The zero to three website had as a topic this month the beginnings towards equity in the path of the early childhood field regarding the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) signed in 1993 by former president Bill Clinton. Senator Dodd and Bond, made child care more accessible and affordable for working families. “FMLA guarantees eligible workers up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave a year to care for a newborn or newly adopted child, care for a seriously ill family member, or recover from their own serious health conditions”. The FMLA movement was the voices of families throughout the U.S. and the collision of more than 100 organizations that made the noise for policy makers. It wasn’t an easy process; it took several rejections before it became a law.

http://zerotothreepolicy.tumblr.com/

What other new insights about issues and trends in the early childhood field did you gain this week from exploring the website and/or the e-newsletter?

This week I’ve learn that there are many factors that contribute to achieve equity, accessibility, and affordability. I’ve learn that the early childhood is a battle field where one needs to fight for what we think it's worth it. I’ve learned that the virtue of policy makers really matters because they help us make our voice be heard even louder and our information is their ammunition.