Sunday, April 24, 2016

When I Think of Research...


The main insight that I gained from this course is research may seem challenging but with the proper tools and planning in place, researchers are able to conquer their goal. There is a plethora of information as well as past researchers that can aid in conducting an unbiased and meaningful study. The materials that were provided to us each week also helped me to better understand building research competencies. Now that I have a better understudying of all of the aspects, it is easier to compose a research paper in the early childhood field.

After taking this course, my views on research simulation and process has changed. With guidance and resources, it is not as difficult as I previous thought prior to taking the course to generate a great research paper. If everyone works together involved in the research process, one can produce to best research that will uncover and allow everyone to have a better understanding to unanswered questions, and new knowledge and insights in the early childhood field. 

Lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood that I learned is it is important to set aside a great amount of time and plan well. There are many steps and procedures that need to be implemented in order to effectively generate and produce a study. This means the entire process from planning to designing to conducting research should produce purposeful, well designed and credible research.

Because to process to conduct a study is so detailed, at times it was changeling for me to grasp some of the information within each chapter. I would find myself rereading some of the content in order to gain a better understanding. I would also use the class discussions, the teacher's feedback and the chart we gradually built each week to assist me.  



I would like to take this time to thank everyone in this class! Thank you for your responses, insights, and the opportunity to collaborate in various research issues. I have gained so much from this class!



Sunday, April 3, 2016

Research Around the World


What are some of the current international research topics?

Some current international research topics are:

In Australia,

  1. The rights and wellbeing of young children are at the forefront of social discourse and social policy.
  2.  
  3. Continuous improvement in the delivery of early childhood education and care.
  4. The Early Childhood National Quality Reform Agenda continues to be implemented with increased public understanding and support.
  5. Early childhood education and care is inclusive and effective across populations of vulnerable children. 
  6. Early childhood education and care is provided by a qualified, specialized and skilled workforce
Taken from

In Africa,
  1. Indigenous language, knowledge and play

  2. Involvement of local communities, issues relating to parents, and local child rearing practices

  3. Developmental assessment

  4. Identification and inclusion of children with special needs
Taken from
(http://www.ecdvu.org/documents/ECDVU2013Newsletter_000.pdf)


What surprising facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did you gain from exploring this international early childhood website?

According to the ECDVU News, the vast majority of materials available regarding child development and ECD are researched and authored outside of Africa—largely in the U.S(ECDVU, 2013). There are many countries like Africa have to outsource their information. The ECDVU also has interactive web-based course work as well as face-to-face seminars that lets their students have access and knowledge from other countries. Early childhood Australia focuses on the needs of children from birth to eight years old. The ECA values are based off of integrity, collaboration, leadership, inclusiveness and quality. It is also important to note that they acknowledge that strong pedagogical and courageous leadership is essential to support and promote the rights and voice of children (ECA, n.d.). Through the week's readings, it was very interesting to learn how other countries advocate and collaborate for the sake of small children.

 
What other noteworthy information did you find on this website?

After reviewing these sites, it is good to know other countries are placing a priority on young children's education and well being across the world. School teachers, students, and policy makers are putting in the effort to ensure that children are getting the best. 

References

ECA. (n.d.). Early Childhood Australia’s Advocacy - Early Childhood Australia. Retrieved from http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/our-work/early-childhood-australias-advocacy/

ECDVU. (2013). ECDVU News. Retrieved from http://www.ecdvu.org/documents/ECDVU2013Newsletter_000.pdf