Hi Catherine,
I had a blog all ready to go at lunch today but alas I had a technical glitch and lost it. I think this is better to loose than a class set of report cards:) Thanks for your blog and your honesty with trying to grasp the terminology. I must say that while I am thoroughly enjoying my educational journey, I feel understanding the terminology is by far the most challenging part for me - I often have to have my computer up and running so I can google a term that I don't know. I was fortunate Wednesday night because my son Christopher's Kindergarten teacher has just joined our section last week. She spent some time on the phone simplifying the paradigms and putting them into "Sheila friendly language." Not an easy task when you are wordy like me and processing new information takes a long time!
It is interesting to read your 3 questions and I am struck by the similarities between your discussion group and mine. The Critical research questions about home reading and about getting parents involved with math fact practice are excellent in my humble opinion. I like how you tweaked your Interpretive research question. I attended a PBIS meeting today at the school where I am currently coaching and we talked about the importance of being proactive with children with anger issues. I received 2 interesting articles along with some websites I can forward to you if you would like...just let me know. As our District psychologist was presenting she spoke of the importance of data collection and she used the word research often in her presentation...the whole time I was listening I wanted to ask "where does your research come from?" "How is it conducted?"
To get back on track, your question for Empirical-Analytical research fits the criteria as well. Several people in my section had research questions that centred around the importance of getting students started off on the right foot by making sure their basic needs are met. At one of my schools they have the Toast and Milk program and there are many, many students who are hungry and take advantage of this service. It would be interesting to research whether having a program like this does affect student achievement. Similarly I wonder if having access to a head start or pre-school program does advantage students when they enter Kindergarten?
My questions required a little re-working but this is fine as it helps me along on the learning process. Dr. Cranton gave me sound advice as to how I could make my questions align more with the definitions of the different paradigms. Thank you for your suggestions and it is funny because your suggestions to me mirrored Dr. Cranton's!
I have included our new polling question so please put in your vote. I was happy to see that our first poll is closed but is still on our home page. I have also added a link to a website called "polleverywhere." I thought it looked interesting. If you think of a question we can ask for our next poll please let me know. I am so happy that we have our blog up and running so smoothly. I also appreciate your comments and suggestions. You say that you are not very tech savvy but I am very impressed with your computer skills.
Wishing you a very happy birthday friend,
Sheila
I enjoyed reading your blogs tonight ladies - great job! I think it is fantastic that you are venturing into this area. Maybe this will inspire you to take up a similar project either in your classroom (Cathy) or in a district setting (Sheila).
ReplyDeleteI voted in the poll tonight. Excellent question. I enjoy researching in the library, but almost as equally on the internet searching for abstracts and journals with a coffee in hand.
I want to wish Cathy a very happy birthday today! She is an incredible colleague to have; someone who brightens up the days of people around her. She is also a fantastic educator who puts her students first by ensuring their needs are met and by building strong, lasting relationships with them.
I have also had the pleasure of knowing Sheila in two different settings now - one as a fellow eduactor in school district 17, and now as a fellow Masters student at the University of New Brunswick. She is a fun person who I have a lot in common with. I enjoy learning and working with her and I hope that we continue to discuss and produce meaningful material in our courses.
Have a wonderful weekend ladies!
Matt McGuire
Oh Matt, you always have such wonderful things to say about people. You have certainly made my day with your positive comments.
DeleteYou,too, are an amazing educator and one who strives to make your classroom a positive environment for your students and as engaging as possible for all of them.
One of the reasons I was interested to taking part in this blog was to learn more about them with the intention of implementing the idea with my students. Don't hold me to that, Matt, but it is my intention.
Thanks for checking out our blog and thanks for the birthday wishes. You are a wonderful young man, a pleasure to work with and have as a colleague.
I echo what Catherine said Matt! Thanks for your post, kind words and most importantly for checking out our blog. I think we have motivated Catherine to get this going with her Grade 2's. I have a colleague that does this with her class and each week just gives them a question to ponder and the students type their responses. Very 21st century:)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the beautiful day,
Sheila