Educational Webquest step 3

What? Summarize what you have learned about each of the four educational research types.
There are four types of research in education; first, descriptive, this is where you report facts, things which you can observe; second, correlative, this type of research looks for relationships between things, it cannot prove causation but help us to see connections; third, experimental, this is where a variable is changed and tested, usually using a control group and a treatment group; and fourth, action research, where the teacher or school (collaborative action research) does their own research in the classroom or school. It can be any of the three previous types.

So What? Write a critical analysis about the importance of what you have learned about this topic.
What I have learned from this topic is how research is done in education and that it is not that easy to prove causation. There are assumptions which can be made from descriptive and correlative research, but causation can only be shown from experimental research and even then, the experiment needs to be done right. The importance of research is great in education. We can use it to help us be better teachers, to understand students better, and to see what will help the students to most. Action research is probably one of the most important kind because it deals directly with the school being taught at. By doing action research you can know what best helps your students. You can look at research done in other areas, but it may not work for you students because the culture may be different or the socio-economic status may be different.

Now What? Write a critical reflection 1-What I still need to learn about educational research? and 2-How will I use educational research as an educator? (both as a consumer of educational research and as a user)
What I still need to learn about educational research is how I can use it personally to help me in teaching, what is the best thing to research to help my students, and what research is good for my subject area. Ways I can use research in my classroom is to find studies which have been done that will help me in my subject area. I can stay caught up on current research, by subscribing to and reading educational journals. I can involve myself in action research, even if it is small at first. I can use the principles from research that show a change in student performance and see if they work in my classroom. One important thing is to not teach the same all of the time. Each set of students I teach will be different and learn in different ways, so I will need to cater to each set of student's strengths in learning.

Cool Brain Research

What? What is he currently reasearching?
Dr. John Ratey is a Clinical Psychiatrist and Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard. His current research deals with exercise and the brain. He published a book in 2008 called, "Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain." This book is about how exercise can help students in the learning process. It talks of how exercise addresses different systems of the brain including the attention system, impulse control system, learning and memory and the executive functioning area; it also promotes a good internal environment for learning (causes a release of neurotransmitters and talks of how exercise promotes neurogenesis.

So What? What does his research have to do with education?
His research deals with education in saying that exercise helps the student to learn. The experiments that have been done in different schools have shown that students who have a regular exercise program do better in school. If this is the case then schools would do good to continue physical education programs and to make sure that each student has the chance for physical activity each day. This could be a way for teachers to help their students become the best possible students.

Now What? How might I use this knowledge in my future career as an educator?
I would use this knowledge as a teacher by encouraging physical education in the school curriculum for all students. I would make sure that it was catered to each persons needs, because not all like doing the same thing. Giving students options in physical education gets more students involved in physical activity. Another thing I would do is try to incorporate physical activity into my lessons as much as possible. Depending on the subject, that could be hard but doable. I may also start an exercise club which met before school, this way I would provide another opportunity for physical activity for students.

Hidden assignment-The first assignment

The first goal I have for this class is to be able to have a knowledge of how students learn and the ways I can use that knowledge to help me teach. My second goal is to receive an A- or better in the class. By receiving an A- or better I will show that I have sufficient knowledge of the subject and will be able to use it to help me be a better teacher.

My weekly preparation plan will be as follows: each Tuesday I will make time to do the case study analyses. I will have the reading for the class done by Thursdays. On Saturdays I will go over my notes from my readings and from previous classes. I will make time on Mondays, Thursdays, or Fridays to visit a school so I can take care of my field response journal. I will take time on Tuesdays and Thursdays to work on some of the bigger assignments for this class, namely the presentations, assessment inventory, and for studying for this class. Everything will be in my planner so it will be a daily reminder to me of what I need to do.

To help me understand the material I will take notes from my reading, come with questions I may have for class, and then review my notes from reading and from class throughout the week. I would also like to put together a study group because I know it is something which helps me.

If I do not understand a topic I will ask questions in class, ask a friend in the class, and then if I still do not understand a topic I will ask you, the professor.

I will reach my goals in this course by working hard, reviewing the material frequently, and by doing a little bit each day. I will also check my progress each Saturday to make sure I am caught up and not falling behind.