Week 8

Research has always been an intrigue.  I have never thought myself bold enough to venture out into the world of research in music education, even though I am savvy enough to know its value.  As an educator in the public education system, I have always thought it to be dangerous to "stick my neck out" and actually conduct research on topics that interest me.  What if something I decide to pursue creates conflict, or harms my reputation?  What if something I research is considered controversial, exposing, or "unethical"?  Even though the truth is being sought, sometimes it seems as though it's best to leave it undiscovered.  You never know what rocks you may turn over, or what kinds of snakes are waiting underneath them.  If I were in a position of higher education, I would definitely be more willing to conduct research, and it likely would be required.  At this point, I'm not sure how much I will actually do because of my schedule demands as the administrator of the program, and a performing musician - there's just not a lot of time.   The information attained has brought much relevance with it.  I know that there are techniques I can use in my own program that can assist us in making things better for our students, even using simple questionnaires or surveys.  What is most important is my students' music education, and if research becomes a part of that process, then that is the path I will follow. 

Having completed a Master of Education degree, I understand: the need to find better methods for classroom instruction, classroom management, how to decipher state and federal data, how to determine when a program is suffering, or when change is necessary.  Sometimes it's purely a case of egocentrism, "what's in it for me?" when in fact, the focus needs to be on the development of the students.  I do believe integration is possible, where there's a will, there's a way.  Again, if it is the best interest of the students' education, it would be our responsibility to ensure their success.

I'm dedicated thoroughly to the action research project that I have begun in this course.  I plan on furthering my work on this project throughout the remainder of the program.  This particular course of research has been of peak interest to me since I was an undergraduate student of Dr. George Wolfe.  I'm sure I will learn more about this topic in other courses, and as I continue to review additional literature.  I am looking forward to conducting this research with my own students to determine a route of easing their performance anxiety, and also sharing my findings with the rest of campus to be used as relaxation techniques for testing. 

It's going to be a fun, albeit CHALLENGING ride!