Knowledge Discussion Essay
During spring 2015 semester, the first research course that I took was EDRS 810 (Problems and Methods in Educational Research). This course is an introductory course to research methods. In this class, I learned about qualitative research method, quantitative research method and mixed method approach. I learned about different types of sampling techniques used to conduct both qualitative and quantitative research. As part of the requirements for this course, I had to write a qualitative proposal as well as a quantitative proposal. By taking this class, I learned how to write a proposal and what it actually entails. I also got the opportunity to actually take a look at an actual dissertation and this gave me an idea of what an actual dissertation looks like. In taking this course, we discussed the different sampling techniques used to conduct not only qualitative research but also quantitative research as well. For qualitative research, we studied different kinds of qualitative research methods such as case study method, phenomenological research and grounded theory. I was also introduced to different ways of collecting data (observation, questionnaires, surveys, interviews and field notes) for not just qualitative research but quantitative research as well. For quantitative research methodology, we talked about how to analyze data and the different statistical methods (t-test, ANOVA) used in analyzing data.
To add to this, during the Fall 2015 semester, I took another research class EDRS 812 Qualitative Methods in Educational Research. By taking this course, the research methods studied during EDRS 810 (Problems and Methods in Educational Research), pertaining to qualitative research such as the use of interviews, questionnaires, observations and surveys were major themes that both courses had in common. Therefore by taking EDRS 812, Qualitative Methods in Educational Research, some of the methods already introduced in our introductory research class were reinforced and students got the opportunity of actually going into the field and using the methods studied to collect data. My EDRS 810 (Problems and methods in Educational Research) class was very the most important class I took because this course laid the foundation in terms of what research is all about. After taking a class on EDRS 812 (Qualitative Methods in Educational Research) during the fall 2015 semester, it was amazing experience because we kept revisiting research methods and other concepts that I had learned in my EDRS 810 class and this was refreshing because we were able to actually implement some of the research methods that we learned in these two classes and apply it in the field by conducting a research project, interviewing actual participants and observing teacher participants teach students in the classroom. One thing that I learned in EDRS 812 was to collect data, transcribe and analyze the data that we collected. Even though my second emphasis is in special education, majority of the special education courses that I am currently taking are research based. During the Fall 2015 semester, I took a course in special education (EDSE 841), that focused on Intervention Research in Special Education. This was an extension of EDRS 810 because this course dwelt on quantitative methods. The focus for this course was on single subject research, quasi experimental research and group research designs. I actually got the opportunity to conduct a meta-analysis and to code various studies that employed group research designs. Creating literature tables based on the articles that we read was a very good way of organizing vital information.
This semester (Spring 2016), I am taking another class in special education and this class also builds on my previous research courses EDRS 810 and EDRS 812 because we are still learning about qualitative research and the different types of qualitative research, survey research and single subject research. In the special education classes, emphasis is also placed on the quality indicators that researchers need to adhere to when conducting research. It has definitely been an interesting experience. Prior to coming to George Mason University, I had no background in research. I also took two special education classes and surprisingly, they both focused on research in special education. some of the methods that we learned in EDRS 810 and EDRS 812 are the same methods we are learning about in class and so it seems to me that we are revisiting some of the concepts previously learned we is a good way to reinforce some of the skills, strategies and techniques that we have learned in previous research classes. I hope to delve more and learn more in the future research courses that I take.
My very first class was on EDUC 800 Ways of Knowing. This course provided different perspectives on how individuals come to acquire knowledge. As an educator, I am aware that individuals learn differently. I know that not all individuals learn in the same way. Thus the need for teachers to capitalize on student’s strength and to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of individual students is very key if we want students to be successful. This class laid the foundation, and was an eye opener for me, especially since I come from a different cultural background. It was interesting because my past experiences in the way I acquired knowledge was very different in that I came from a society in which students were expected to accept whatever information that was given to us by the instructors in the institutions of higher education in my society. After taking this class, I realized that it is important to be reflective and to critically think and analyze information and to even contribute ideas since this is what is expected in other cultures. This really was very helpful because now I could apply some of the techniques learned in my Ways of Knowing class in my other classes.
I also took ECED 804 during the Spring 2015 semester which focused on Family Research and Practice in Early Childhood Education. This class was very beneficial because the focus of this class was on working with immigrant families and students from different socio economic backgrounds. Most of the discussions that we had focused on working with families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Emphasis was placed in on teachers, educators, and administrators engaging and involving immigrant families in the education of their children and in teachers being knowledgeable about how to teach students from different cultural backgrounds and incorporating cultural practices in their instruction. I am currently taking a course ECED 801) this semester (Spring 2016) which focuses on the current research and trends in early childhood education. It is worth knowing that this class focuses on issues in early childhood education including investing in childcare and gaining access to childcare. We are also learning about the importance of family involvement and engaging families from different cultural backgrounds in the education of their children. These are the same things that we covered in ECED 804. In my opinion, I think that ECED 804 laid the foundation d talking about these same issues in ECED 801 just builds upon what I have learned in my previous early childhood education class. During the Fall 2015 semester, I took ECED 702 which focused on writing, cognition, language and literacy of young children. I think that this class really provided the foundations on young children writing process and this class was important to me because I am interested in conducting research on young children's literacy development.
Finally, I am currently taking a class in ECED 803 Teacher Preparation and Professional Development. This is a class in my area of specialization, which is early childhood education. This class focuses on the importance of preparing teachers to be effective in the classroom. I know that as an educator it is very important that teachers are knowledgeable about the best practices and strategies used in teaching students in their classrooms. The importance of professional development cannot be over emphasized. Teachers need to be trained in classroom management and in other areas if they are to be effective in the classrooms. It is through professional development that teachers acquire new knowledge and learn from each other with the hope that they will implement what have learned in their classroom. It is my hope that upon completion of this course, I will be able to apply some of the strategies learned in this class in the future.
During spring 2015 semester, the first research course that I took was EDRS 810 (Problems and Methods in Educational Research). This course is an introductory course to research methods. In this class, I learned about qualitative research method, quantitative research method and mixed method approach. I learned about different types of sampling techniques used to conduct both qualitative and quantitative research. As part of the requirements for this course, I had to write a qualitative proposal as well as a quantitative proposal. By taking this class, I learned how to write a proposal and what it actually entails. I also got the opportunity to actually take a look at an actual dissertation and this gave me an idea of what an actual dissertation looks like. In taking this course, we discussed the different sampling techniques used to conduct not only qualitative research but also quantitative research as well. For qualitative research, we studied different kinds of qualitative research methods such as case study method, phenomenological research and grounded theory. I was also introduced to different ways of collecting data (observation, questionnaires, surveys, interviews and field notes) for not just qualitative research but quantitative research as well. For quantitative research methodology, we talked about how to analyze data and the different statistical methods (t-test, ANOVA) used in analyzing data.
To add to this, during the Fall 2015 semester, I took another research class EDRS 812 Qualitative Methods in Educational Research. By taking this course, the research methods studied during EDRS 810 (Problems and Methods in Educational Research), pertaining to qualitative research such as the use of interviews, questionnaires, observations and surveys were major themes that both courses had in common. Therefore by taking EDRS 812, Qualitative Methods in Educational Research, some of the methods already introduced in our introductory research class were reinforced and students got the opportunity of actually going into the field and using the methods studied to collect data. My EDRS 810 (Problems and methods in Educational Research) class was very the most important class I took because this course laid the foundation in terms of what research is all about. After taking a class on EDRS 812 (Qualitative Methods in Educational Research) during the fall 2015 semester, it was amazing experience because we kept revisiting research methods and other concepts that I had learned in my EDRS 810 class and this was refreshing because we were able to actually implement some of the research methods that we learned in these two classes and apply it in the field by conducting a research project, interviewing actual participants and observing teacher participants teach students in the classroom. One thing that I learned in EDRS 812 was to collect data, transcribe and analyze the data that we collected. Even though my second emphasis is in special education, majority of the special education courses that I am currently taking are research based. During the Fall 2015 semester, I took a course in special education (EDSE 841), that focused on Intervention Research in Special Education. This was an extension of EDRS 810 because this course dwelt on quantitative methods. The focus for this course was on single subject research, quasi experimental research and group research designs. I actually got the opportunity to conduct a meta-analysis and to code various studies that employed group research designs. Creating literature tables based on the articles that we read was a very good way of organizing vital information.
This semester (Spring 2016), I am taking another class in special education and this class also builds on my previous research courses EDRS 810 and EDRS 812 because we are still learning about qualitative research and the different types of qualitative research, survey research and single subject research. In the special education classes, emphasis is also placed on the quality indicators that researchers need to adhere to when conducting research. It has definitely been an interesting experience. Prior to coming to George Mason University, I had no background in research. I also took two special education classes and surprisingly, they both focused on research in special education. some of the methods that we learned in EDRS 810 and EDRS 812 are the same methods we are learning about in class and so it seems to me that we are revisiting some of the concepts previously learned we is a good way to reinforce some of the skills, strategies and techniques that we have learned in previous research classes. I hope to delve more and learn more in the future research courses that I take.
My very first class was on EDUC 800 Ways of Knowing. This course provided different perspectives on how individuals come to acquire knowledge. As an educator, I am aware that individuals learn differently. I know that not all individuals learn in the same way. Thus the need for teachers to capitalize on student’s strength and to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of individual students is very key if we want students to be successful. This class laid the foundation, and was an eye opener for me, especially since I come from a different cultural background. It was interesting because my past experiences in the way I acquired knowledge was very different in that I came from a society in which students were expected to accept whatever information that was given to us by the instructors in the institutions of higher education in my society. After taking this class, I realized that it is important to be reflective and to critically think and analyze information and to even contribute ideas since this is what is expected in other cultures. This really was very helpful because now I could apply some of the techniques learned in my Ways of Knowing class in my other classes.
I also took ECED 804 during the Spring 2015 semester which focused on Family Research and Practice in Early Childhood Education. This class was very beneficial because the focus of this class was on working with immigrant families and students from different socio economic backgrounds. Most of the discussions that we had focused on working with families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Emphasis was placed in on teachers, educators, and administrators engaging and involving immigrant families in the education of their children and in teachers being knowledgeable about how to teach students from different cultural backgrounds and incorporating cultural practices in their instruction. I am currently taking a course ECED 801) this semester (Spring 2016) which focuses on the current research and trends in early childhood education. It is worth knowing that this class focuses on issues in early childhood education including investing in childcare and gaining access to childcare. We are also learning about the importance of family involvement and engaging families from different cultural backgrounds in the education of their children. These are the same things that we covered in ECED 804. In my opinion, I think that ECED 804 laid the foundation d talking about these same issues in ECED 801 just builds upon what I have learned in my previous early childhood education class. During the Fall 2015 semester, I took ECED 702 which focused on writing, cognition, language and literacy of young children. I think that this class really provided the foundations on young children writing process and this class was important to me because I am interested in conducting research on young children's literacy development.
Finally, I am currently taking a class in ECED 803 Teacher Preparation and Professional Development. This is a class in my area of specialization, which is early childhood education. This class focuses on the importance of preparing teachers to be effective in the classroom. I know that as an educator it is very important that teachers are knowledgeable about the best practices and strategies used in teaching students in their classrooms. The importance of professional development cannot be over emphasized. Teachers need to be trained in classroom management and in other areas if they are to be effective in the classrooms. It is through professional development that teachers acquire new knowledge and learn from each other with the hope that they will implement what have learned in their classroom. It is my hope that upon completion of this course, I will be able to apply some of the strategies learned in this class in the future.