When I Think of Research... EDUC 6163-6

·         What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?

While research was always a daunting task, it isn't any longer.  Throughout this course, I have learned different strategies and techniques to use to ensure the validity and structure of my work will be worth it. 

·         In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?

I have never been scared to speak in public, this course has helped me to loosen my nerves when I am doing the research for a topic or study.  While I am still learning proper terms and how to word questions appropriately, the task of doing research has a more defined role than what it was before taking this course. 

·         What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?

Ensuring the validity has been reached.  Through different strategies, techniques, and processes; making sure that the work has been well thought out and structured will make for actually doing the research a lot easier.  Examining the benefits and the challenges along the way in order to be prepared for them if they may arise, especially the challenges.

·         What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?

Hands down the hardest part of this course was to understand how to properly word the questions and thought process of the "research study" we were preparing.  I became so overwhelmed in the project that I thought we were actually doing it . . . I even met with leaders within my county for assistance in the research project.  While I gathered resources, data, and other items for this "project" I gained a wealth of knowledge of communication and terms to use along the way.  Those that helped me along the way were a major asset to understanding more about how to do the research project.  I was intimidated [might still be] at the thought of doing a big research project!

·         What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?

Professionals are more than just a person with a degree to stand behind.  A professional understands their position, their influence, and their eternal impact within the early childhood field and lives of those that they reach.  My perception of a professional has gained more respect for their level of education and the path they took to reach it.  Also quality of knowledge that a professional attains in order to stay up to date on research topics and new techniques/strategies is a must in order to stay most up to date for the children and families in which they are a part of reaching.

Huge thank you to each of my colleagues that assisted in encouraging me, challenging me, and helping me along on this journey of research.  We've all grown and did it together!  What an accomplishment!  Thank you!  Only a few more classes before the capstone, we're almost there!

Teamwork, EDUC 6165-6

There was a team that I was a part of this past summer.  While I have been and led teams of this kind on many occasions, this team was different.  To begin, this was the first team that I would lead of its size.  38 people in total would be traveling together and we would meet up with 3 while in Costa Rica.  The main difference in this team and others, the level of unity we had.  We were busy in Costa Rica, every minute we had something planned.  Each evening we would have a "breakdown" session where we would discuss what we did that day as well as hear about what would be happening the following day.  As the leader, it was my job to ensure everyone knew what was happening and what their expectations were.  Our entire time in Costa Rica we didn't have disagreements.  There were no fights among our group.  We were able to be great encouragers to each other as well as our purpose behind the trip.

It was hard leaving this group.  It was hard because there were strong friendships that were made within our group of people and those that we were working with.  We had a purpose and expectations that were clearly stated and I believe were met while we were there and continue to be reached even though we are not there any longer.  We worked effectively and grew tremendously with each other!

When my time with Walden University is complete, I can imagine that there will be professional relationships that would be built that I wish would continue.  The encouragement and idea exchange is an awesome attribute when growing and maturing with others as we have done throughout this coursework.   

Adjourning within group work is essential as it enables the team to evaluate their successes and their areas of improvement.  During this stage of team work, the project that the team had been working on should be completed and the task is closing.  At times during this stage, the group decides they no longer want to meet or they decide some changes need to be made within the setting and altar areas in order to make it more effective.  In any reason, adjourning is essential as it enables evaluation in order to maintain effectiveness.  Ultimately if a group is ineffective then alterations need to occur; which would happen during this stage as well.