Week 8 :: Final Blog

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

I have gained so many new insights from taking this course. From learning about design models to equity in research  I have learned a lot that will help me with the rest of this program.

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

I am now looking more seriously into the type of research I want to do. I have read through my classmates' simulations and have seen some great ideas that apply to my class of preschoolers. I have also found a lot of previous research that is similar to mine and that sparked other ideas in my head as to where I could expand my research or change some things.

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

The main lesson I learned was about how to make sure the research is valid and credible. I need to enlist in more  professionals to help me with this. 

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

I had a difficult rime understanding some of the readings. I was able to make more sense out of the difficult parts by reading the discussions and seeing how my classmates interpreted the readings. I found that I had interpreted it correctly so I was able to then apply the readings to my work.

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

I have now seen that being in the classroom is like doing mini experiments everyday. I also get to see what new trends and issues are relevant to my classroom and how I can make the preschool where I work a better place for the children and their families by enlisting my co-workers and the owners in changes to help bring us to a place where we are developmentally-appropriate all the time.