What?
The WebQuest assignment went over four different types of educational research. The first was descriptive, which is basically an observation or story. It does not change. The second one was Correlation Research, which can be summarized as an existing relationship. You do not change any variables, you find out what the relationship is between two things. Explorative Research is different from the first two. It is the only type of research you can come out with a causation. You have a control group, which you do nothing to, and a treatment group, which you change a variable in, to find a difference. Action is the last research, which is actually doing something differently in the classroom. It's within the school (say teachers, principals, etc), without any outside help.
The WebQuest assignment went over four different types of educational research. The first was descriptive, which is basically an observation or story. It does not change. The second one was Correlation Research, which can be summarized as an existing relationship. You do not change any variables, you find out what the relationship is between two things. Explorative Research is different from the first two. It is the only type of research you can come out with a causation. You have a control group, which you do nothing to, and a treatment group, which you change a variable in, to find a difference. Action is the last research, which is actually doing something differently in the classroom. It's within the school (say teachers, principals, etc), without any outside help.
So What?
It is important to use these research types because they will help me become a better teacher. Now I know I say that a lot, but let me explain. When I first become a teacher, my first year, my first day, I will know barely anything about my students other than what I've learned at Back To School Night (if my school has that). I will need to do some descriptive research about my students through assignments, discussion groups, and just observing to understand where each student is at, what their likes and dislikes are, and how I can help them. Once I have that down I will be able to see what helps them the most. With correlation research I can find how "Billy Bob" concentrates better during math when he isn't sitting next to "Joe." I'll be able to find relationships between my students and other students or a hard subject, that I will then be able to do an experimental study on. In my experiments I'll be able to see what kinds of lessons my students learn best with. The Action research is put into play by my different lesson plans. Amazing how it all fits together.
It is important to use these research types because they will help me become a better teacher. Now I know I say that a lot, but let me explain. When I first become a teacher, my first year, my first day, I will know barely anything about my students other than what I've learned at Back To School Night (if my school has that). I will need to do some descriptive research about my students through assignments, discussion groups, and just observing to understand where each student is at, what their likes and dislikes are, and how I can help them. Once I have that down I will be able to see what helps them the most. With correlation research I can find how "Billy Bob" concentrates better during math when he isn't sitting next to "Joe." I'll be able to find relationships between my students and other students or a hard subject, that I will then be able to do an experimental study on. In my experiments I'll be able to see what kinds of lessons my students learn best with. The Action research is put into play by my different lesson plans. Amazing how it all fits together.
Now What?
So I just realized that in order to do an Action and experimental research project you have to first do a correlational research study. Although in order to do a research study I have to conduct a Descriptive Research project on my students. I still need to leran so much about educational research. Not only are there rules that I'm only inclined to know, but other ways of doing each type of research to help me in each area. I want to learn how it's helped others in the classroom, and I'll make note of it, maybe use it, but learn that there is always something to learn when working with students. I beleive that I went over everything I wanted to do in the So What section of this reflection without knowing it about how I will use it. I know I will, even if I am not thinking about it, use at least one type of research each day as a teacher.
So I just realized that in order to do an Action and experimental research project you have to first do a correlational research study. Although in order to do a research study I have to conduct a Descriptive Research project on my students. I still need to leran so much about educational research. Not only are there rules that I'm only inclined to know, but other ways of doing each type of research to help me in each area. I want to learn how it's helped others in the classroom, and I'll make note of it, maybe use it, but learn that there is always something to learn when working with students. I beleive that I went over everything I wanted to do in the So What section of this reflection without knowing it about how I will use it. I know I will, even if I am not thinking about it, use at least one type of research each day as a teacher.
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