When I Think of Research

1. What insights have I gained from taking this course? Taking this course have helped me to better understand what research actually is. Research is about uncovering and enabling the emergence of new understandings, insights and knowledge (Mac Naughton, Rolfe, & Siraj-Blatchford, 2010). As I said previously, research is like an investigation into a given topic. I've discovered that research begins with a thought, question, or a concern. A few insights that I gained was the fact that participants have the right to withdraw from their participation at any given time during a research. I also discovered that consents of all participants must be in place before children or parents participate in research. Overall, I learned that there is a detailed process that must be taken before research begins. Research can be challenging but it is very rewarding in the end with new knowledge gained.

2. In what ways have my ideas about the nature of doing research changed? Before taking this course, I had no previous knowledge about research. This class has opened my eyes to what researchers endure before and after research is given. I never realized how personal research can be for children and families. Often families are sharing personal and sensitive information with the researcher and these families are trusting that that their personal information is confidential. I've learned that confidentiality and ethics are priority in research and most early childhood researcher are aware of the do's and don'ts of research with young children and families.

3. What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood development did I learn? I learned that research is nothing that takes place over night. Research takes careful planning and cautious procedures. When planning a research, the researcher must study the topic before hand. It is important to learn the viewpoints of others who have already researched the topic. The researcher may want to see if the topic is worth the research. Designing the research is key. The researcher must decide which type of research is he/she wanting to conduct. Choosing participants and locations of the actual research is very important as well.

4. What were some of the challenges I encountered-and in what ways did I meet them? One challenge that I had was making sure that the sources that I wanted to use were credible sources. There is so much information available about early childhood development. It is easily to be lead to non-credible information which can lead to invalid data.

5. What are some of the ways my perception of an early childhood profession have been modified as a result of this course? As an early care educator, I have gained the knowledge that children are a gift to this world. When children participate in research and display given data,  it should not be taken lightly. Potts and Brown (2005) point out that 'the term "data"' in its origins means "gift" (2005, p. 269) (Mac Naughton, Rolfe, & Siraj-Blatchford, 2010). As an preschool teacher, I feel privileged to be in the presence of children on a daily basis to witness them in action interacting with their caregivers and peers. The data that is collected is definitely a "gift".

Research Around The World

Early Childhood Australia: This is the Australian equivalent to the U.S. based NAEYC. You can access several links to early childhood research from the menu on the left side of the home page.
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/

1.     What are some of the current international research topics?

New research commissioned by The Early Childhood Australia (ECA) shows that nearly 70 percent of individuals surveyed think affordable early education is more important than Paid Parental Leave (PPL) to young families. The research also shares that across all demographics, regardless of age, location or income, respondents where overwhelmingly supportive of affordable early education as having the biggest difference to families with young children.

2.     What surprisingly facts/insights/new ideas about early childhood did I gain from exploring this international early childhood website?

This year, the Early Childhood Australia celebrated 75 years of continued service to Australian children. Early Childhood Australia was created in 1938. It was originally called ‘The Australian Association of Pre-School Child Development.’ I also learned that educators in Australia receive very low salaries. The teacher education programs that these educators attend cost more than their annual salaries. In year 1955, educators’ annual salaries were equivalent of $7,490.00 and $13,579.00 of U.S. dollars. This demonstrates that the Australian educators were dedicated to their field of education regardless of their annual salaries. The issue pertaining to educator salaries is an on-going issue within the Australian education department.

3.     What other noteworthy information did I find on this website?

ECA has been very involved and instrumental in the establishment of many early childhood groups and initiatives in Australia and internationally. Under the supervision of Kay Kinane, Allan Kendall was responsible for the introduction of the children’s television program Play School (which he adopted to an Australian children’s audience from a British format). Allan Kendall was the first male to be awarded an Alice Creswek Scholarship. Originally a high school teacher, Kendall became, and remained interested in preschool education during his work for the ABC’s Early Childhood Unit of which he eventually became Executive Producer.