Week 3

7/14/13

This week has been full of re-acquainting  myself with how to research a broad number of topics.  During my most recent Master of Education program, the research being done was very specific and the databases were quite limited.  More so, I haven't had to focus on researching literature since I was an Undergraduate, so a decade of displacement has taken its toll.  In my current position, action research just hasn't taken place - we tend to be tied up enough with operating the program and fulfilling all of the responsibilities assigned by the campus and district.  There's that whole compliance and accountability component of public education that cannot be avoided. 

However, having completed the readings and participated in the other activities, I'm intrigued as to how I can begin implementing action research into our program essentially building into the general lesson plans.  Integrating a hidden agenda never hurt anyone, right?  In the long run, I'm thinking a lot more about the ailments of our programs and how we can work collectively to do the research necessary to repair those. 

Through this week's assignments, a lot of frustration has surfaced since things are so much bugger now than I remember when I was at Ball State.  I also am realizing how difficult it is for me to not be on the actual campus to participate in classes and visit libraries and the like.  I suppose it's just a personal idiosyncrasy, or an issue of pushing out of a comfort zone.  This is the first all-online program that I have ever participated, so it's an adjustment for sure. 

I enjoyed having to reflect on my thoughts from week one.  The topics that I listed on the discussion board are very intriguing to me, and I'm thinking that it would be worthwhile to actually complete both of those projects.  I believe that the students in my program could benefit from this research and ultimately alleviate a great deal of stress for the staff.  I'm curious to see where this goes...