lesson 7

Reviewing this class has made me realize how little I knew about research! I have learned a lot and I have changed many of my ideas multiple times during this class as well. When looking back at the discussion boards I’m reminded that my classmates had some really good ideas for finding information; it could be referred to online “brainstorming!” Being able to work through varied methods of research I was able to identify the mode that I am most comfortable with. Designing my thesis will now be an educated process. I won’t throw all my “eggs in one basket” and too late realize that this is not going to work for me.

One of the articles that I thought was quite interesting for my research, as well as for educational purposes, was the Evans-Palmer journal “The Potency of Humor.” It puts things in perspective in what we see and do every day, and reminded me that keeping myself stress free and adding humor to my day will also help with keep students engaged! I have also used a source I was not aware of previously, the National Arts Education Association, to obtain information for my research. With all the information they have, it’s been very helpful.

The following was very insightful for me as well and I feel the same way!

This was also very helpful, I do know, it’s from you (professor), but it did help with understanding Quantitative research.

Leslie Gates (lesliegates) (Nov 8, 2011 9:57 AM)

You write, "Adding actual experiences to the factual numbers definitely makes reading the research more interesting to me." One point of clarification - sometimes numbers portray experience. Quantitative research doesn't necessarily exclude experience. The difference between qualitative and quantitative research is how the data is expressed - either with words or with numbers. Both could present experience. Perhaps a more accurate way to say what you're feeling is that you prefer to have the data presented in story rather than in numbers. ?