I have definitely grown as researcher as a result of this course. I can remember not knowing much about researching when the class began. It seems like only three weeks ago, lol!
Theoretical Framework seemed like foreign words to me before this course, but I now have a better understanding of it's identity. The key components of research were Greek, but due to my blog partner, the class discussions, and scaffolding from the assignments, they have been translated.
Reading the various articles has given me insight on designing and conducting research. I've enjoyed the knowledge, instructional strategies, and exposure gathered from reading the articles.
I'll admit that while it was engaging, I'm glad this course is over because I have 3 more credits under my belt and my summer vacation can finally begin.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Feeling a Little More Confident
While reading chapter 38 in Handbook of Research on New Literacies, I came across the acronym ICT. I consider myself "tech savy" and thought that I was literate in the new terminology. After all, I am on facebook. However, this was the first time I'd seen this acronym. Even though the author defined the term, I felt obliged to research it on the internet. Which was ironic since the internet is probably the most used information and communication technology (ICT).
The purpose of this study was to explore how 13 teachers used the internet in their classroom to enhance literacy. This article was written in 2001, not that many years ago, and technology was not used as a major literacy tool. What's weird is that I couldn't imagine my day without the use of technology, only 9 years later. So, how could I expect my students to go an hour without it. What this article has taught me as a researcher is that the theoretical framework of your research article may change just as rapidly as the world changes.
While I understand that researchers need to not only answer the unanswered but also answer the unasked, it makes me nervous to think of the responsibility that holds. I have to learn more about the metacognition needed to conduct an effective research study. For when I perfect that, I will be on my way to writing landmark research articles also.
The purpose of this study was to explore how 13 teachers used the internet in their classroom to enhance literacy. This article was written in 2001, not that many years ago, and technology was not used as a major literacy tool. What's weird is that I couldn't imagine my day without the use of technology, only 9 years later. So, how could I expect my students to go an hour without it. What this article has taught me as a researcher is that the theoretical framework of your research article may change just as rapidly as the world changes.
While I understand that researchers need to not only answer the unanswered but also answer the unasked, it makes me nervous to think of the responsibility that holds. I have to learn more about the metacognition needed to conduct an effective research study. For when I perfect that, I will be on my way to writing landmark research articles also.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Now I'm a Baby Caterpillar, I Think...
I've gained new insights when it comes to identifying and extracting research components from research studies. The analogy of the doctor helped tremendously towards my understanding of the findings, discussions, and conclusions components. This will impact me as a researcher now and in the future.
So, it was put to me in these terms: (1) you (participant) go to the Minor Medical Center (setting) to see the doctor because you have some aches and pains (purpose); (2) he runs some tests (methods); (3) he diagnosis your illness (findings); (4) he tells you exactly what this diagnosis means for you (discussions); (5) he tells you of a possible plan for your future (conclusion). Put in the simpler terms made it much easier for me to grasp.
What's still bothering me is that researchers write their articles differently. Some use the components as heading, which makes them easily identifiable. Others either combine some of the components or use different headings all together. I'm a beginning researcher, so that makes it a little difficult for me when I am trying to identify and extract components of research. I guess that comes with experience, like anything else in learning.
I would like to learn more about the different types of research that can be conducted. Are there guidelines for which research type to choose or is it up to the researcher?
Andrea
So, it was put to me in these terms: (1) you (participant) go to the Minor Medical Center (setting) to see the doctor because you have some aches and pains (purpose); (2) he runs some tests (methods); (3) he diagnosis your illness (findings); (4) he tells you exactly what this diagnosis means for you (discussions); (5) he tells you of a possible plan for your future (conclusion). Put in the simpler terms made it much easier for me to grasp.
What's still bothering me is that researchers write their articles differently. Some use the components as heading, which makes them easily identifiable. Others either combine some of the components or use different headings all together. I'm a beginning researcher, so that makes it a little difficult for me when I am trying to identify and extract components of research. I guess that comes with experience, like anything else in learning.
I would like to learn more about the different types of research that can be conducted. Are there guidelines for which research type to choose or is it up to the researcher?
Andrea
Sunday, June 13, 2010
From an Egg to a Catepillar
I'm in day 5/6 of the course, and I have grown a tidbit as a researcher. I viewed the video in module 1, searched the internet, and reread pages 6 & 7 of the syllabus several times over.
I now understand more about the theoretical framework of research, or my beliefs/mindset about the topic of my research. It's not as scary as it sounds. In my research, I found two questions to ask when conducting original research: 1) What is the problem? and 2) Why is my approach a feasible solution? http://www.coedu.usf.edu/jwhite/secedseminar/theoryframe.pdf
I learned a key phrase from my blog partner, Jessica, that will help me easily identify one key component of a research article. I also learned that sometimes the findings, discussions, and complications/implications are found in the same section of a research article. Some of my prior knowledge is being activated. Hopefully, it will all come back to me soon.
What's bothering me is the conflicting information that I interpreted from the syllabus and my independent research about the expectations of what actually belongs in the findings versus discussions section of the Research Summary Chart. From my understanding, they appear to be extremely similar and it seems that they will contain repetition. I leave this week unable to distinguish between the two. Well, at least I have something to look forward to learning.
I now understand more about the theoretical framework of research, or my beliefs/mindset about the topic of my research. It's not as scary as it sounds. In my research, I found two questions to ask when conducting original research: 1) What is the problem? and 2) Why is my approach a feasible solution? http://www.coedu.usf.edu/jwhite/secedseminar/theoryframe.pdf
I learned a key phrase from my blog partner, Jessica, that will help me easily identify one key component of a research article. I also learned that sometimes the findings, discussions, and complications/implications are found in the same section of a research article. Some of my prior knowledge is being activated. Hopefully, it will all come back to me soon.
What's bothering me is the conflicting information that I interpreted from the syllabus and my independent research about the expectations of what actually belongs in the findings versus discussions section of the Research Summary Chart. From my understanding, they appear to be extremely similar and it seems that they will contain repetition. I leave this week unable to distinguish between the two. Well, at least I have something to look forward to learning.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Still Unsure About Research
It's day 4 and I can honestly say that I still don't know as much as I need to know about research. I'm definitely going to have to do more research on conducting research. I have gained insight on some of the key components of a research article, but I'm still analyzing them to determine exactly what is expected in the Research Summary Chart. I really need to learn more about the expectations of research in general, and it makes me nervous to hear the words "theoretical framework" and to think of finding the right literary experts to quote. I'm up for the challenge, though.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
