Step 3: Final reflection

What?

The three types of research studies we have learned about are Descriptive, Correlational, Experimental and Action. Descriptive Study involves different situations and their outcomes. It helps us understand the way things are. It does not change things in the study it shows what is going on and doesn't prove why thing happen it just tell us what is going on. Correlational Studies show us relationships or association between different things and how we can draw conclusions about them. It shows how one variable can affect another. We don't change things we just look at them. When we want to see if something is a reason why something else is happening we can do this kind of study. Experimental Studies is when we change a variable and see how it affects the other variable. Experimental Study shows cause and effects of your changes. Action Research t is the type of research that teachers can do that involves things going on in their own classroom or at the school. This helps the teachers and other people who work at the school to figure out the best way to assist their own students to better learning

So What?

This assignment has taught us about these different methods of research which show us how we can take a deeper look into what is going on in our classes and the educational system. This helps us understand the INTASC standard 9.24 that says, the teacher is committed to seeking out, developing, and continually refining practices that address the individual needs of students. We need to be aware of the different types of research and that is exactly what we have studied. We are responsible for learning about these and understand how it can help us as a teacher. This applies to the INTASC 9.13 which tells us, the teacher is aware of major areas of research on teaching and of resources available for professional learning (e.g. professional literature, colleagues, professional associations, professional development activities). Just as we have learned about action research and how it can be done in the classroom we can be more competent at the Intastc 9.31 which tells us The teacher uses classroom observation, information about students, and research as sources for evaluating the outcomes of teaching and learning and as a basis for experimenting with, reflecting on, and revising practice.

Now What?

I have never conducted an educational study before in my own classroom setting as a teacher. I need to become more familiar with how they work in a drama classroom and what sort of things I need to observe and study with my students. It’s time now to apply these methods to my education and career. I will look up research being done toward theatre students and the arts to help me as teacher. I need to talk with other Theatre teachers who are working now and ask them what they have done in the past to help their students in regards to research. With that information I can follow their examples and conduct my own research in my own classroom. I can also look up research being done on a national level and apply what they have done to my own teaching methods. I want to become the best teacher I can and help the students thrive and learn and that requires me to do my research.