Research Connections

I do not know anyone who has been connected with research first hand, but I have had a few family members who have had cancer and have been able to survive because of medical research and advances that have taken place. Whether this research involves a new treatment plan or a new drug that will help. Without the research, my families outcome might have been different. However, I did lose my aunt to breast cancer and I hope there is more research taking place, so more families don’t have to lose a loved one. 

I also read an article that I found interesting that as goes along with my topic of assessments. The article is Developing Kindergarten Readiness and other Large Scale Assessment Systems by Kyle Snow. In this article they talk about how Kindergarten assessments are become more and more widespread. It talks about how assessment are developed and used, when they should be used, who gives the test and how the data should be used. “In designing early childhood assessment systems, 

fundamental decisions made about instrument selection, administration, and 

data utilization are interconnected, and decisions made about one aspect of an assessment system can drive other options” (Snow, pg. 26, 2011). This is a good article for those who want to get assessments implemented into their school district or program. 

Resources:

Snow, Kyle.  (2011). Developing Kindergarten Readiness and other Large Scale Assessment Systems. Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/research/Assessment_Systems.pdf on March 21, 2014

My Personal Research Journey

The topic I chose to analyze for this stimulation research is should the same person test students every time they are being tested in Kindergarten. This stands out to me because at my school we get support when it is testing time and some of our strategist help us out. I want to know if the same person should test every time, should it be the classroom teacher, are the tests more valid when it is just one person? I want to know what is best for my kids. Do they feel comfortable when someone besides their teacher is testing them. We are testing more and more in class and I want to know the best way to do it. 

I am still really nervous about doing research, but with the tools that this class has provided and with the support of my colleagues in class, I know that I will get through the research just fine. I know that i have never done big research projects and I don’t know how much help I will be to others, but I am a great listener, and I will be on the look out for information that will help my classmates. If anyone has any information for me that would be greatly appreciated. 

International Collaboration

I have learned a lot in this course the last 8 weeks. I unfortunately was unable to get into contact with any educational professionals who work internationally, but I have been able to listen to some great podcasts and read great newsletters with the NAECTE. I think it would be great to to be in contact with a professional in another country, to see what their views are and how the education system is working where they are from. I will continue to try and get in contact with someone because, I see it as a valuable resource.

There are consequences of learning about the international early childhood field. One would be that, the resources and environment are different everywhere so issues and trends that are going on here in the United States are not going to be the same somewhere else. Granted some are the same and it would be great to see how other countries are dealing with those issues. Another issue is that sometimes it is hard to get into contact with someone from another country. I tried for a whole 8 weeks and it was not working for me, but like I said I will continue to try. A final consequence I guess would be that reading and listening to how bad it can be in under developed countries and that it makes me want to go there and help as much as I can. It also makes me thankful for where I am teaching and realizing that I don't really have it that bad.

I am not really sure that I answered that question right because I really couldn't think of any consequences.

As for a goal, I do want to eventually get in contact with an educator from another country to build a professional relationship with them to share views on issues and trends in the field. I was also one day like to teach somewhere over seas and get a great experience.

I wish all the best to my colleagues in this course and am feel privileged that I got to work with you.

Best of luck,
Rachael