Thank You

Thank you colleagues for challenging me and keeping me encouraged when this course took its many many turns..  Mrs Walker thank you for helping each of us to finish strong!!

My New Perspective on Research:

*  I have found through my own research identified topic that it is really important to narrow down your question.  To remain focused on a specific question when deducing down the topic to the subtopic(s)
*  When looking at variables and quantitative vs. qualitative research I have come to understand that there are many ways to conduct resarch.  It is important to determine what is the most approprate approach to looking at the chosen question.

*  Looking at these steps helps me remain on task:

“How research is to be designed and undertaken depends on the specific focus of the investigation”, (Mac Naughton, Rolfe & Sirj-Blatchford, 2001).

1.      Identify the topic

2.      Refine the general topic

3.      Create the hypothesis

4.      Choose an experimental design

5.      Select Participants

 

 

*  I have felt overwhelmed when lookig at the opportuntiies I have in research.  There are so many options in approach and outcomes that choosing just the right model can be difficult. 

Important Research text:

Experimental design-  Research conducted where a chosen independent variable directly affect the dependent variable.  (other variables do not play in to the outcome).  Known as a “true experiment”.  (Lepuschitz, 2011)

Quantitative research is research that considers all variables within an area or chosen topic.  Variables affect one another, therefore causing a change.

 Through out these eight weeks I have ad the pleasure to learn from my colleagues and I thhank youf for that.

 “Quantitative research consists primarily of investigating relationships between variables”, (Lepuschitz, 2011

Early Childhood Australia

Current Issues:
 Media Release – Children deserve bipartisan support for quality early education and care

“We need to see bipartisan support for improving the quality of early childhood education and care for the sake of the 1.5 million Australian children in these services,” said ECA chief executive Samantha Page.
“The main consideration in the development of these reforms was that quality standards at servicer were not at the level they should have been. These reforms will ultimately see great improvements in this area.
“Every child deserves access to quality early education and care services. These reforms will ensure a nationally consistent standard for services that will provide benefits for children and peace of mind for parents.”

Concern for quality appears universal.  Equity is a necessity for full reform.

New Idea:  Research in Practice Series

This amazing resource is available to anyone working in the field.  It acts as the best practice series available to specialists to childcare providers.

The Research in Practice Series is a practical, easy-to-read resource, offering effective new approaches for those challenging issues which arise in the care and education of young children. Early Childhood Australia's Research in Practice Series is an essential resource for those involved in the early childhood field. The books are idea-rich and to-the-point. The Research in Practice Series focuses on the practical, 'hands-on' aspects of early childhood – making them ideally suited to early childhood workers.However, the wide range of topics covered throughout the series offers something to anyone interested in children's early years. Other News:  Early Years Workforce Strategy THis appears to be a universal approach.  Just as the U.S. focuses on early childhood services as a means for a future stronger economy, so does Australia. The Strategy is an important document which sets out for the first time how all governments will support the early childhood education and care workforce to gain the skills they need to continue to provide Australian children with the best start to life. It reflects a commitment by governments to address the immediate priorities for the early childhood education and care workforce, while at the same time working towards a broader long-term strategy with a focus on supporting more integrated ways of working across the early childhood development sector. The Strategy supports the workforce for all early childhood education and care services including long day care, family day care, in home care, occasional care and preschools whether stand alone or operating within schools.