Research Around the World

This week I decided to research Australia’s education to see what the countries insight is on education and what the “hot topics” are on the other side of the world. The website that I visited that gave me my information was http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/. This website is Australia’s equivalent to the United States NAEYC website.

When researching I found some current topics from their website. This included: prioritizing childhood care and the education outcomes in early childhood, early childhood and oral care, the importance of play in early childhood, and helping a child learn to focus more in a school setting. I found all of these topics fascinating and comparative to the States. I feel that the research that Australia and the States come up with surrounding these similar topics will be valuable for all the children in these countries.

I did find some surprising insights for me while I was researching around on the website. I think the biggest items that stuck out to me were the health concerns and ideas that surround the early childhood field. I was surprised to find out that in Australia most children brush their teeth after lunch and in school hours they have 15 minutes a day of “grooming” time. This would include washing their face, brushing teeth, brushing hair, etc. I found this odd only because I was not exposed to this during my schooling and the students in my class are still not exposed to it. I could see the benefits of this activity to help children understand the importance of personal hygiene and taking responsibility for their body. Another surprising aspect I found was that students in preschool and Kindergarten will still drink their mother’s breast milk for their drink during lunch. I just found this odd because I do not know anyone that provides breast milk for their child over the age of 3.

One last noteworthy information piece that I found on this website was also Australia’s code of ethics for the early childhood field. It is almost identical to the United States. Although we are so far away, our countries are really not that different.

Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

When looking a research there are many positives that come about. Positives are usually not focused on as negatives are. This week I would like to share a positive example of the effects of research that can affect a child. While I was taking my undergraduate classes at Ashland University a professor and some of his students began researching the lead consistency of Halloween toys that are usually given to children at parties such as classroom parties. These could be plastic buckets, spider rings, vampire teeth etc. They found that “Items like a witch candy bucket tested at 88,900 ppm; a treat basket with pumpkin ornament tested at 87,800 ppm, and fake “ugly” teeth tested at 65,200 ppm.” (2007). The acceptable levels of lead were 600 parts per million (ppm), or 99.97 percent lead-free. (2007). All of these items were recalled. I believe that this research was so important and helps many children not have contact with items that contained lead in them. Lead is so dangerous and can cause serious health problems. I also like this example because of how the research was conducted. They did not put any person in harm of the lead and used safe procedures. This research also helped change the ratio of how much lead can be in toys and the stricter evaluation process of imports coming to the United States. I am glad that this research took place before all the children received those toys. If you would like to read about these stories you can visit these sites:

http://www.ashland.edu/news/2012-01-09/alumni/ashland-university-professor-and-senator-brown-give-progress-report-safety-ha

http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500172_162-3422364.html

Reference

2007. Ashland University Professor and Senator Brown Give Progress Report on Safety of Halloween Toys Sold in Ohio. http://www.ashland.edu/news/2012-01-09/alumni/ashland-university-professor-and-senator-brown-give-progress-report-safety-ha

My Personal Research Journey

During my next class at Walden University, I am to conduct a research project based on something in the field of early childhood and something that is passionate to myself. The topic I choose to research is in the genre of technology and early childhood education. The main thesis is to see if standardized tests that are technology based have different outcomes than the typical paper and pencil tests. The reason I am picking this topic is because of what schools in my state and the district where I teach are converting over to. I currently teach Kindergarten and in the first few weeks of school, the students were taking a computer based tests so that the district overall can see academically what the students know and what they still need to learn or deepen their knowledge in. So far in my research I have found more articles that have stated that the medium of the test does not matter. I have also found that tests taken on computers have more of an opportunity to provide application problems which will enhance accurate outcomes of student knowledge. I have also found that computer based tests have less stress for children than the typical paper and pencil tests. If anyone has any information about standardized testing in technology vs. testing in the most typical fashion, I would love to hear it! Here are three resources that I have found so far that interested me, and I hope they interest you. I hope the knowledge that I find can help improve my student’s success of the tests, as well as everyone else that reads about my upcoming research.

Kearns, L. (2011). High-stakes Standardized Testing and Marginalized Youth: An Examination of the Impact on Those Who Fail. Canadian Journal Of Education, 34(2), 112-130.

Miller, D. J., & Robertson, D. P. (2011). Educational benefits of using game consoles in a primary classroom: A randomized controlled trial. British Journal Of Educational Technology, 42(5), 850-864. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8535.2010.01114.x

Wilma C. M., R., Wouter M. P., S., Xenidou-Dervou, I., Stevenson, C. E., & Julian G., E. (2011). Computerized Dynamic Testing: A Study of the Potential of an Approach Using Sensor Technology. Journal Of Cognitive Education & Psychology, 10(2), 178-194. doi:10.1891/19458959.10.2.178