What
new insights have you gained?
What have you learned that will make a difference
to you as a researcher?
I think that I believed that research had to be complicated. I think I thought that you had to have some technical way to collect your data and make it sound studious and fancy. As I read this article, I realized that it doesn't have to be that way! The way that Karchmer found her participants and compiled her data were simple and I totally understood what she was doing. This was encouraging to me because it makes me feel much less overwhelmed at the thought of creating a study.
What do you understand about research, or components of
research that you didn’t know before?
I liked the way that Karchmer gathered data. Emails with personal journals and interviews seems like a very logical and simple way to get data that is thought through by the participants. I think that having time to think about your answers to an interview question is very helpful, it seems like you would get more accurate and helpful data this way. I think that I would use this method if I were doing a similar study.
What is bothering or disturbing you about research?
It is scary to think that research my uncover the need for more research and practice! It is overwhelming to think about all the teachers who do not know how to use technology and think about how much more they need to know. It would go on and on if I started to list the things that would have to happen to change the way that things are in our schools right now.
What else do you want to learn about
designing and conducting research?
I am just ready to try it! I think that reading about it is helpful so that I know what my format will be, but I am a total hands-on learner and I need to do something in order to be able to fully grasp a concept. I am looking forward to my master's project in the fall!
I totally understand what you mean when you say you are a hands-on learner! I am like that, too, and it really takes me more than once to fully grasp a concept! That's what I really like about this course we are taking this semester. We are using the research summary charts a lot, and I feel like I am finally able to understand how they are used and even how to construct one. I know that our assignment for this week seemed to be a lot easier for me. I was able to plug in the answers, because it made sense to me! I like how you mentioned the fact that more teachers need to realize how important technology is and how it can be used in the school system. I feel we are behind when it comes to technology, and it is moving so fast that we cannot afford to be behind. I know as a teacher that I don't know as much as I should, but I am working on moving toward change in this area. It's more difficult to use technology when you haven't been exposed to it earlier on. One thing you might think about if you haven't already is this: choose something for your master's project that you can build upon in case you ever decide to obtain your doctorate degree. I said I would not go back and get my master's degree, but I did. I never considered going beyond my master's degree, but I am. Never say never, I am definitely living proof of that! May God bless you as you complete your degree! Happy researching!! :)
ReplyDeleteM.Krisell