Lara/22/Australia
I'm completing my Bachelor of Education (Primary and Middle) with Honours, and this semester I'm required to keep up to date with reflections of my learning, understanding, and progress as I prepare for a research project, my final prac, and attempting to get a job.
These are my thoughts.
Made some more progress today! It was so much… simpler than I’d expected. I was a little nervous really about going into the meeting with my teachers, but they were so organised, and efficient, and well thought-out that it was very straightforward.
Intended Action: Meet with J & D to discuss potential research questions, and hopefully come to a decision on one, and make a time to meet again before prac starts.
What Happened: Had the opportunity for friendly discussion with J, and after explaining the general idea of the research project to them both, D proposed a project that aligned perfectly with every aspect of my teaching, the prac, the class and the teachers. He explained that with the upcoming National Curriculum the teachers are responsible for spending the next 18 months getting QLD students caught up to the rest of Australia (an issue because of the age difference). He asked that I could monitor and asses their accelerated math program, and the effects it might have on the students.
I then spent some time with J in the classroom, getting a tour, a run-down of the PYP [Primary Years Program] recently implemented in the classroom, and discussions about the class.
Comments: It really took me by surprise when D was so ready and sure about his idea for my research. It was so perfect and I’d have so much of their support by doing it that I agreed without hesitation. However, it will be very data-based, and I’m not really very familiar with that methodology - I’m more a qualitative, observational, ‘wondering why’ researcher, rather than data and assessment. I’m very appreciative for D’s certainty and idea, as I didn’t really have any better ideas for my project, but I just remember feeling so scared as he explained what he hoped I could do, because it seemed he had a very specific expectation from me and my project, and I’m terrified I won’t keep up.
I am excited though - I now have my question, and can do a lot more work on my project proposal.
Now to complete my Situational Analysis, try to word my Research Question, and begin looking for literature now I know the topic. Oh, and I must email J and remind her of our meeting at 12:30 on Tuesday (week 6).
