First Week Reflictions

It was really nice to start the book with a story that is similar to our situation in this course. I really had the same fears about planning and conducting a study. What do I have to know about research? How can I use knowledge and information provided in the book in practice? How can I evaluate my research problem( do we really need to address this problem, does its contribution in the literature worthy to work on, what is the potential of this topic? What is the best way to conduct my research problem? What ethical concerns or issues may arise?....
     Most of the reading makes a clear sense to me, but translating this knowledge into practice still challenging task.
   Chapter 1 provides important ideas with clear description aboutThe definition and the importance of educational research
The six steps in the process of research through quantitative and qualitative research.
The difference between quantitative and qualitative research which is in (sampling, instruments/ protocols, data analysis, and interpretation).
The types of research designs associated with quantitative and qualitative research. Ethical issues.
The skills needed to design and conduct research.
     Qualitative research is the approach of studying social phenomena. It deals with humanities, and uses multiple methods that are interactive and humanistic. In contrast, Quantitative research relies on statistical data and analysis.
    Chapter2 talks about identifying a research problem in more practical details.How research problem can be researchable? What are the needs to accomplish the research problem(time, resources, and skills)? How to justify the importance of the problem? Who is my audience?
   Giving examples is the best way for me to explain compliex things which is one of the John W book characteristics.
   From the article and as we discussed in our first session of the class, I realized that educational technology definition depends on its focus over a period of time.-The new AECT definition (Januszewski & Molenda, 2008) becomes the latest beacon to guide our thinking into the 21st century. It states as follows:
-The definition of Educational technology is the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using, and managing appropriate technological processes and resources.
-The purpose of educational technology is “facilitating learning and improving performance”.
-We can do this: “by creating, using and managing”.
-The article raises some question about the new AECT definition. For example, “Some may wonder at the words ethical and appropriate within the definition. Are ethics and appropriate use something that is pre-determined? Or are they applied after the fact? Is a device still an exemplar of “educational technology” if it is later deemed inappropriate in a particular context?”