Reflection on Educational Research

Write a What? So What? Now What? reflection about educational research as follows:

What? Summarize what you have learned about each of the four educational research types.

• These four research types will be very helpful to me as a future teacher.
• Each research type will help in different ways in the classroom.
  
• Descriptive study I learned that we can answer questions that help us understand situations and know the facts and statistics on those situations.
• Correlation study I learned that two situations can be related and we can know that relationship.
• Experimental study I learned that different situation or things effect other situation or things.
• Action research I learned that even though will be a teacher I can participate in research to better understand learning and also so I can help my school where I work.
  

So What? Write a critical analysis about the importance of what you have learned about this topic.

• I believe that this is very important to learn about because we learn how we can assess our students and by doing this we are helping our students. With these different types of research we can teach in the best way possible to our students.
  

Now What? Write a critical reflection about (1) what you still need to learn about educational research and (2) how you will use educational research in your future career as an educator (both as a consumer of research and as a researcher).

• (1) There is much more that we can learn about educational research. Life is always changing and there are new ideas daily. By using educational research we can research the best ways to teach. There will be new ways to research and so we always need to be lifetime learners.
• (2) I will definitely use educational research in my future career. I love to learn new things and to see why that idea would be the best. Anything that will help me become a better teacher, I want to know it. I also love to research. With the knowledge of these different types of research I am now on path to assess my students in a way that would be effective.
  

List 2-3 specific goals you have for this course.

• Learn to understand how the brain works
• Learn how psychology will help me become a better teacher
  

Describe your weekly preparation plan. Be specific. What will you do each day of the week to prepare for this course.

• My weekly preparation plan for this class is to do all of the homework and read everything that is required. Each day I will work towards the homework that is due for the week. I also will remind myself daily of the things that were taught in this class.
  

Outline the study strategies that you will use to understand the material.

• As this class has set up a blog i will use that to reflect on the things that I will learn. I will also use the help of the internet to look this up if I do not understand it.
  

Explain the process you will follow if you do not understand a topic.

• First I will research by looking in the book and then on the internet. If I cannot find an answer I will turn to my classmates. If I still cannot answer question or I am confused I will come to the teacher to resolve the problem.
  

Complete the following statement:

I will reach my goals in this course by putting my best effort into learning the material that will help me become a better teacher.

1.Why are you here (in the teacher education program, in this class, at UVU)?
The reason that I am in the teacher education program is because I want to be a teacher. Ever since I was little my dream was to be a teacher. After school and in the summer my sister and I would play school. I always wanted to be the teacher. Another reason why I am here is because I honestly love learning. This is the best career to be a lifetime learner. I want to teach my students to become lifelong learners. If the children learn this at a young age I believe they will be better students and better people.
To be completely honest the reason that I am in the class is because it is required. Psychology has always interested me, but it has also frightened me. I am very excited to be in this class to learn more. I love to learn what things are and why they work. The brain is very interesting and I would like to understand it more.
I chose to come to UVU right after high school. This school was the closest to my house but was not the only reason why I am here. When looking for a college to go to I looked at the top schools for elementary education. UVSC was in the top schools in Utah.

2.What motivates you?

There are many things that motivate me. Self motivation, interest and desire are the most important motivations in my life. My parents and friends are also huge influences on me as well. When I have the desire to do something and positive motivation from others, my tasks are much easier and I enjoy working towards finishing the task.

3.Why do you succeed?
This is a very interesting question, one that I don't think that I have ever asked myself. After contemplating this question I came to the realization that I succeed because I want to succeed. If there is a task that needs to be done, no matter what it is, I can succeed. The mind is a very powerful tool.

4.Why do you fail?
The reason that I fail is due to boredom and lack of motivation.

5.How do you need to change your motivations and mindset for this class in order to become a great teacher?
For this class I need to have the desire to succeed. I need to take my love of learning and apply it to this class. When I do this I know that I will learn important concepts that will make me the best teacher that I can.