Educational Research

I've learned the pros and cons of each of these types of educational research: descriptive, experimental, correlative, and action. Descriptive seems to be the most common form, and the least conclusive as to actually how it can be applied. Experimental is possibly the most interesting to me, and probably the most expensive to conduct. Correlative research is important when making comparisons, but is limited as to explaining direct causes. Finally, action research can be very applicable, but must always be taken with a grain of salt because of its limitations of overall experimental control.

What has struck me the most while learning about these types are that not all research can be taken at face value. It is very important to understand how the research was conducted and for what purpose. It is necessary to question results and understand how the limitations of the different forms of research.

It's interesting to me when I look back at so many different studies and I can now see the differences in their research processes simply by paying attention to the results. This was demonstrated in the quizes we took, that we were able to match the types of research by the result. I would still like to understand better the difference between quantitative and qualitative. It seems to me that results are often both quantitative and qualitative and that they become muddled. Maybe that demonstrates flaws in the method of research.

I will need to keep an optimistic attitude about educational research. Otherwise, it will be hard for me to trust any results and actually apply it to my teaching. I want to understand that research is valuable, even though it is constantly changing.

Motivation Blog

1.Why are you here (in the teacher education program, in this class, at UVU)?
I am here trying to become a teacher because my grandpa was a wonderful man and a remarkable teacher for his whole life and I want to be like him. I want to have an impact on the world and I think this career best fits my natural talents while fulfilling my internal desire to help kids believe in themselves.

2.What motivates you?
Of the many motivators in my life, my biggest one would have to be the responsibility I feel towards my family. I want to provide my family with all the necessities of life and those base needs drive the majority of my actions.
However, I realize that there are more interesting motivators that keep me on the path to becoming a teacher. I have felt some great successes in multimedia and business and I would love to help kids to have those same feelings of success.

3.Why do you succeed?
I'm competitive, I'm passionate, I have a good degree of natural talent, I have felt smaller successes and built on them.

4.Why do you fail?
I get discouraged, I make believe it doesn't matter to me, I try something too far beyond my natural ability, I compare myself to others.

5.How do you need to change your motivations and mindset for this class in order to become a great teacher?
I need to feel the simple motivator of pure learning that often gets confused by lower level motivators. If I take on the attitude that I am here to learn, I will be able to apply the lessons not only into teaching, but into my daily life.

Hidden Assignment

2-3 specific goals I have for this course:
a)Pass the class with a B or better.
b)Using theories we learn from class, develop skills of motivation, teaching differentiation, and assessment creation that will be used in my own teaching.

Weekly preparation plan:
I will definitely check the course schedule and syllabus using the website you've created for our convenience. I will buy the book and read the chapters which will be discussed in class in order to know the vocabulary and concepts before discussion. I will also go to be earlier on Monday nights and make sure I get a good breakfast because 8:00a and I don't get along.

Outline the study strategies to learn the material:
I hope my study skills improve by learning the learning techniques we discuss in class. To be honest though, my regular study strategies are to listen intently in class, take few notes so as to not distract from thinking, and pay particularly good
attention during test reviews. I also plan on reading the text to prepare for better class discussions.

Explain the process you will follow if you do not understand a topic:
"first, try to solve the problem on your own; second, discuss the problem with a peer; third, come and talk to us." -syllabus

Complete the following statement:
I will reach my goals in this course by listening to the professor, paying attention to the techniques she implements in her own teaching, and applying the techniques I learn about throughout my daily life.