Pitfalls researchers Face!

There are many challenges that students must face when conducting research. One major problem is over abundance of information. Students have to sift through more information today, than ever before. It is very difficult to narrow a topic when there are so many resources available. Which leads to the next challenge, sticking topic. So many students fill their research paper with so many elements, the papers lack consistency. Finding credible resources in the midst of all the questionable resources can also lead students astray.

The information overload is not the only thing that causes pitfalls for researchers, sometimes the researcher is their own worst enemy. There are many things that students do themselves that hinder their performance. Some researchers will wait until the last minute, and then they do not have enough time to complete their work. Also, students can suffer from anxiety, which can hinder their cognitive functions. Anxiety can come from a fear of failure, which becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

I used to be overcome with performance anxiety, and it made my work suffer. Procrastination can also cause me some struggles. For example, I put off working on my assignments until the last few days, and sudden illness caused me to fail completing the work on time. For me, procrastination is part of the anxiety issues. I fear messing up my paper, and so I put it off until the last minute. Information overload is not a major issue for me, however, my son has many issues with this.

My Research Process

When I conduct research, I usually start with too broad of a topic. I recently did a report on the effects of cyberbullying on students, and how we can help the students cope. When I started my research, I went to the library and entered Cyberbullying into the catalogue. Our library system has several libraries throughout the city. There were not any books on Cyberbullying at that library, but there were several at other libraries within the system. I put as many books on the topic on hold, and then went to the computer.

The internet has an overload of information, so I was expecting the vast amount of information available. First, I opened up Google Scholar, and typed in Cyberbullying. For several hours, I went through the articles until I found some that were interesting. At that point, I started cutting my topic down to one more specific. With all the information I found on the effects of cyberbullying, I chose to discuss the effects, and how to help students suffering from cyberbullying.

The next step I took was to go back to the library. The five books I reserved were in, and the library has several databases that I could go through for resources. Unfortunately, the databases did not have much on my topic. The most I could find there was definitions. I chose not to use those, and took the books home to go through them.

For the next few days, I went through the books, and took notes on anything I wanted to use. When I was in high school, my English teacher had us write quotes out on note cards, and their citing on the back, so we would have it available when we write the paper. I still use this old school method for researching from books. By the time I got through the books, I had two dozen note cards to use. I had quite a bit of information, but I needed more sources for the paper.

At this point, I was ready to go to the Ashford School Library. I typed in my revised topic, and got several scholarly resources I found several articles to work with, and decided I had enough information to work with. When I write a research paper, I usually create my reference page first. The reference page is the most important part because it is where I cite the work I used from other people. Finally, I write the paper.

My research process is a combination of modern and old school skills. I use it for every academic paper I have written so far, and it has always worked for me. I also feel it is important that all students should know these skills.  As a teacher and a future librarian, I plan on teaching the all of my students to use note cards and Google Scholar. Google Scholar is a great way to find reliable sources. The note cards are a great way to organize research material. This saves time when it comes to writing time.

eBooks in Schools

These days, bookstores and newspapers appear to be disappearing as actual printed text on paper is being replaced by eBooks or a quick download on one’s internet home page.  Do you think paper books are a thing of the past? 

While digital forms of media are becoming more prevalent, I do not believe paper books will disappear completely. I admit I am a huge fan of digital textbooks, online newspapers, and eBooks. Newspapers and textbooks might go completely digital, but reading books will not. Using an e-reader when traveling is extremely convenient. But, I still need to have real books when I am reading at home, I want a real book. 

Many people still prefer paper books, and I do not believe that is going to change. According to Julia Glum of the International Business Times, “For teenagers, print, amazingly, isn't dead. The generation known for staying digitally connected at all times prefers to buy and read physical books over digital ones, according to a Nielsen study released last week” (Glum, 2014). Paper books have been around for a very long time, and I do not see them leaving anytime soon.

How will the move towards online text change what we do in schools or how we select the books we read?

I believe that the move toward digital text will have a profound effect on schools. I feel textbooks will become digital. Students have always needed to tote around several big, heavy books. The switch to digital will eliminate that problem. All the students’ textbooks can go on small devices they can put in their pockets.

Libraries will need to have a larger media section. When ordering books, they will need to have a large selection of eBooks. Students need to have access to digital books that they can use for research and for fun reading. Libraries will still need to purchase physical books as well. As I stated before, students still prefer real books over digital books. They need to have access to all types of books and media in order to get the best education possible.

Another trend we are seeing in this digital age is online schools. Many colleges provide online classes, and some high schools have also gone digital. These schools need to provide all books, magazines, and news articles in digital form. Online school libraries have all of these available for their students.

References:

Glum, Julia (2014). Books vs. E-Books: Teens' Print Preferences Make Publishing Industry's Future Hard To Predict. International Business Times. Retrieve at: http://www.ibtimes.com/books-vs-e-books-teens-print-preferences-make-publishing-industrys-future-hard-1758531

Meaning in Reading Instruction

It is very important for students to have meaning in what they are learning. According to David Sousa and Carol Ann Tomlinson, two experts in educational neuroscience, “the brain’s neural networks are constantly seeking and creating patterns. They do so by analyzing new input to determine if it has some meaningful connection with information already stored in the network” (Sousa & Tomlinson, 2011, p. 48). This means that the best way for students to learn something is if it connected to something they already know. Meaning can be anything from interests to cultural connections. Finding out what the students enjoy, and giving them reading material on that topic. Also, an age appropriate book about a child’s heritage can catch their interest and make them more likely to retain what they are learning.

I think that both the analytic approach and the synthetic approach to phonics are important to prepare students for becoming readers. In the synthetic approach, students learn letters and the sounds associated with those letters (Roe & Smith, 2012). I believe students need to know the basic sounds that letters make and how they blend to create words. In the analytic approach, how letters sound in context of a word. For example, the students learn that the beginning sound in the word dog is the D sound (Roe & Smith, 2012). I feel the analytic approach can help children learn blending and rhyming. Both sets of skills are needed for students to become proficient readers.

My teaching approach is a combination of specific skill instruction and a more holistic approach. I feel it is important to start developing a child’s reading skills with teaching instruction in phonics. Students need the basics before they can start strengthening their skills through meaningful materials. Once the basics are done, then my approach becomes more holistic.  “Holistic education is concerned with connections in human experience—connections between mind and body, between linear thinking and intuitive ways of knowing, between academic disciplines, between the individual and the community” (Swaffar, N.D., p. 2). Teaching by using meaningful connections between students and the lessons helps the student retain more of what they are learning. Differentiation is very important to me, and I feel it is necessary to make sure my students will learn effectively.

   

References:

Roe, B. & Smith, S. (2012).Teaching reading in today’s elementary schools (11th ed.). Wadworth Cengage Learning: Belmont, CA.

Sousa, D. A. and Tomlinson, C. A. (2011). Differentiation and the brain: How neuroscience supports the learner-friendly classroom. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree Press.

Swaffar, Janet (N.D.). Lesson 1: What is Reading? Retrieved at: http://coerll.utexas.edu/methods/modules/reading/01/holistic.php

Finding that One Book!

Books are more than just ways to get information. They can also be a source of endless enjoyment. For some students, reading can be difficult, and they do not see the value of a good book. As teachers, we need to guide students to that one perfect book that awakens their imagination.

There are many books that have influenced me, starting with Little Golden Books: fairy tales. I first started to love reading when read about Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella. Sleeping Beauty was my favorite. I loved the fairies and the magic. Fantasies are still my favorites. I loved losing myself in the magical lands that these stories took place. I wanted to go there someday. 

            Finding a child’s special book can take some time, but it is out there. The best way to start is to figure out the student’s reading level. When reading for enjoyment, you do not want a book that is too difficult. It will only cause frustration. In order for a book to appeal to a child, it needs to be interesting to that child. Finding out what the student likes and dislikes will make it possible to find a book that can capture the student’s attention.

            Reading is the most important skill a child must learn. Reading is how we get most of our information. It is also a great source of entertainment. All students need to be encouraged to find reading material that excites them. It is the only way they will ever become life-long readers. Teachers need to find books that appeal to their students’ interests, if they want their students to be successful.

My Opinion on a Teaching Scenario

The scenario is a teacher, Ms. Grant, turns down her student’s request for instruction on taking notes. Ms. Grant told her student that she can’t teach that because this is science class. My reaction to Ms. Grant’s reply was anger. A teacher’s job is to give their students all of the tools needed to complete an assignment. This student was asking for instructions and denied. How can this teacher expect her students to complete a task without the knowledge needed to perform all of the steps. I understand that note-taking is taught in reading class, but if Ms. Grant is expects the students to learn her lessons, she needs to give them at least an overview of note-taking so they can succeed.

           

If my student asked me “how to take notes,” I would give a brief explanation of proper note-taking, and then get back to the lesson. In my opinion, when a student asks how to do something, it is the teacher’s job to educate the student. I would not be able to turn my back on a student in need just because the question is not part of my subject. The question was not off base and pertained to the assignment. I would feel obligated to educate my student.

I feel it is important to explain the basics of note-taking. If students do not know how to take notes properly, then they will be ill equipped to complete the assignment. When students ask questions, they are looking for instruction, which is what a teacher is supposed to provide. Teachers need to give their students every tool they will need if they want the children to learn.

I realize teachers are on a tight schedule, and adding something that is not in their curriculum can make it difficult to complete everything. However, it is better to take a few moments to help the students learn to take notes on lessons than it is to repeat the information over and over again because the students don’t remember. Teaching the students the basics will help them do better in class and on tests. That is the goal of a tea

Evaluating and Organizing Credible Resources

This week we learned how to evaluate information for credibility, and then organize the information into a format that makes it easier for the audience to understand.

When evaluating information, you must check for accuracy, and that the information is verifiable. My son is studying to be a reporter, and he and I are amazed at how many news articles are unconfirmed and inaccurate.  If you cannot affirm the information is factual, then the information is useless. Checking the qualifications of the author can help you determine the validity of the information. Authors should be experts in the field, and should be evaluated by a group of their peers. I am quite proficient in checking and re-checking my information to guarantee it is accurate and usable.

             Organization is key to presenting information in a way that looks professional and people will understand. APA format is the way I have been asked to present my information. It is a clean presentation, and easy to understand. However, it can sometimes be confusing to put the information into this format. I think this is my biggest weakness when it comes to organizing papers. I also struggle with layout when presenting graphics within a document. I don’t understand why, but my charts and graphs do not always appear in the finished product the way I designed them.