What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?
I learned not to panic!! The more that I kept reading the course material, the more my research started to fall into place. So now I have the confidence that with researching as long as I keep looking for valuable information the easier the process becomes.
In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?
When I would think of research I thought that my desk would be covered in papers, open books everywhere with highlighted sections. Research is more manageable than what I had originally thought. When you find the right information things just start to fall into place.
What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?
I think that it was beneficial to do background searches on the research topic that you are conducting. Having the insight and information that has been previously conducted on the research that you are wanting to conduct is very helpful. It gives you ideas of how to conduct your research, and can even perused you in a different way to conduct your research. It can offer a different perspective about important topics that might have been previously overlooked.
What were some challenges you encountered- and in what ways did you meet them?
I was difficult going through certain chapters in the book, and relating it to my research topic. There were just different research techniques that made it challenging to try and figure out how it would relate to my research topic. As long as I continued to do the work, and not give up, it was manageable.
What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?
It has made me more aware of the vast abilities of an early childhood professional. I think as educators in the field we take on a lot of responsibilities that we aren't even aware of. No matter where we go in our journey as teachers we take on a role of a researcher, observer, a specialist and so much more. As an early childhood professional we are multitasking talented individuals!
