Reflection

There are so many aspects in which my understanding of research has been broadened. I have learned the importance of validating all my research. I have learn the many different aspects of equity and ethics within my research. I learned all the amazing amounts of data that can be collected and ways to collect it. I learned alternate ways in which to collect data and avenues in which to take to find the information needed. I learned to use a process ask myself questions such as: what will I research? Who will the participants of my research be? Where will I conduct my research? Will my research use qualitative, quantitative, or mixed method? I feel that having the equity of your research is very important. Everyone is entitled to their perspective on things; however, one’s perspective doesn't ensure adequacy. In fact it may show blemishes and flaws in which no other can perceive.

Research around the World

 

 

 "The Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) is an innovative and multifaceted approach to addressing ECD capacity building and leadership development in Africa." ECDVU, pg 1, 2005)

What are some of the current international research topics? 

 The amount of Early Childhood Development research topics in Sub-Saharan Africa were profound. 

* In Zambia they have started a pilot program for an orphanage. 

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

*  The Zanzibar Madrasa Preschool Program (MPP) has formed a community based preschool where they train teachers and take care of the children in the community. This project is dedicated to educating teachers and building their community.

* In Ghana they have a program that insure that teachers are properly trained in the newest and latest trends. The do all their trainings on sight.

* I also found that they strongly focused on social and emotional development.

In Tanzania I found that they have a virtual university where you can earn your early childhood degree online in three years.  

 ECDVU, 2005. Early Childhood Development Virtual University.  http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/major_reports.php

Positive Research

              In the 2012-2013 school year my school was chosen to participate in the UNC Evaluation of North Carolina PreK students. My class was chosen in which five participants were picked. The parents all had to sign consent forms to allow their children to participate. They chose the children from the forms that were turned back in on time. The NC Pre K program is a state-funded program we serve at risk children. In my county we have 234 pre-k spots. My school has 108 of those spots. They chose 15 students from our school all together to do research on. "In 2012–2013, the NC Pre-K Program served over 32,000 children in 2,150classrooms located in more than 1,200 sites. Similarly to previous years,the program was offered in a variety of setting types (public schools,private sites, Head Start) and continued to serve children with differenteligibility factors, with the vast majority from low-income families." (UNC, PG.1, 2013)

    The object of this study was to see if the NC Pre-k program was affective and assess the quality of the program. They did an ECERS evaluation on each classroom as well. In my experience this was a positive experience because we were given feedback on our facility, teachers, and students.

            "Similarly to the full sample, children in the DLL sub sample exhibited significant growth for all skills measured in English during pre-k and for most skills measured in Spanish. There were no differences by level of language proficiency, both for skills measured in English and in Spanish. DLLs in classrooms with better quality language and literacy environments made greater gains in language and literacy skills in English during NC Pre-K; in contrast, here were no clear patterns for other skills measured in English or for skills

measured in Spanish. (UNC, Pg.2, 2013)

UNC. Peisner-Feinberg, E. S., LaForett, D. R., Schaaf, J. M., Hildebrandt, L. M., Sideris, J., & Pan, Y. February, 2014.  Children's Outcomes and Program Quality in the North Carolina Pre-Kindergarten Program: 2012-2013 Statewide Evaluation Executive Summary

Week 2

The topic of simulation that I choice to write about this week is, learning through play. I feel that learning through play is the best way to teach preschoolers. I feel that it builds social and emotional skills. I also believe that when you can related to something you are more likely to understand it. I believe that the topic is the most difficult part of research. You have to think about what you are interested in and finding creditable resources to make your paper work. I write papers very often so it often seems like second nature. I first try to collect all the data and resources that I would like to use. Then after collecting all the information I figure out how I would like to break down the subtopics within my paper.

Bergen, D. (2002). The role of pretend play in children’s cognitive development. Early Childhood Research & Practice, 4(1),

Ginsburg, K. R. (2007). The importance of play in promoting healthy child development and maintaining strong parent-child bonds. Pediatrics, 119(1), 182-191.

Final Blog

I have learned so many things from this course. I wasn’t able to make contact with an educator from another country in this course. I know that it would have been very interesting to learn from someone else about the education field in their area. One goal that I have made in efforts to be more globally minded is to add research links from educators around the world.  On the contrary side there are consequences to learning about education in other places. Standards of education may not be the same. What works in one place may not be allowed in another. The trends and norms in one place may be different that in your own which means the statistics would be different if done on a different group of people. The extreme poverty that we hear in other places can also make you or break you. I lost a lot of sleep over one of the podcast I viewed. I really couldn’t imagine living in their situation. 

I have really enjoyed this class! I wish you all the best!