My Reflections

Research Class

I have enjoyed this research class because of the different aspects that were looked at concerning the main topic of the class.  The use of different words to describe the research plan was not unique but helpful.  I have gotten more comfortable calling in an inquiry when talking to my participants and when describing in to my supervisor. 

The web conferences were very insightful because of the huge participation of my classmates.  The help provided for one another conference after conference was great.  Being able to exchange ideas about the research plans and the constructive information instead of negativity was quite refreshing.  The use of web conferences has reinforced to me as a Career and Technology teacher the use of the technology available.  The amount of time that is wasted going to and from meetings plus the down time waiting for the meetings to start.  Then there are those meetings that are cancelled because of the speaker being called away and having to reschedule.  I can envision myself using web conferences in the future with co-workers and students.   I already record some of my classes especially the ones where I will be out for a few days.  I have a great deal of confidence in substitutes but this way I know that the material will be presented in the fashion that I want and any student missing can catch up by checking my webpage.

I come from a military and financial world background most of the ways of breaking down information to be disbursed to others in my school is similar to those use in those fields.  It is always important to know the required or desired outcome of any research but that does not mean that the data collected should be used to come to those conclusions. Instead the Data has to speak for itself and we are just to interpret and report the outcome. It is very important that those involved be exactly that” involved”, they need to feel as part of the process or when you come back with the outcome they will come up with the excuse of “no one asked me” why should I follow the new arrangements because they could be wrong.

The discussion board was very helpful because when you were stuck you could bounce ideas off the group and also get some ideas from what they had put on the board.  Constructive criticism is also very helpful in adjusting the direction that you are taking your studies.

I am also getting pretty comfortable having my information out there due to the two blogs that I have created.  I can see the value of interaction with other people indirectly on topics that are similar to your own.  I was able to help a co-worker setting up both a wiki and a blog for one of her classes.