Course Description:
This course introduces students to issues and practices in a range of educational research methodologies. Through interactive modules, students learn about and engage with research strategies to promote an understanding of how research impacts our lives and educational pursuits.
This course examines the methodological possibilities available to those reading, reviewing or conducting educational research. Research is viewed as a way of thinking critically about education issues and practice and is seen as central to the conduct of all education. We assume that education is advanced through the critical application of research and believe it is enhanced when educators practice with a disposition of inquiry and wonder.
Reflection:
This course was my second MET course and in hindsight, I wish I had taken this course first as it dealt with how students can learn about and use research strategies. This would have been a great place to start as we went through the fundamentals of research, writing and learned the tools needed to succeed in the new environment This was not my strongest attribute in my educational background; having obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration, research and research papers were the exception rather than the norm in the educational pedagogy and assessment. Research, like any good scientific procedure, is generally intended to be as objective as possible, to reduce biased interpretations of results. The challenge for me in my MET journey was to learn the appropriate protocol when researching to ensure that I was conducting in a reliable manner. A scientific process must follow a certain technique that allows for full disclosure to allow for careful scrutiny. This process is based on gathering empirical and measurable evidence subject to specific principle of reasoning and this course, gave me this protocol required. After taking this course, my research and ability to write research papers was drastically improved where I would not shy away from taking a course that was heavily based in research.
Artefacts:
The two artefacts I chose were for my final assignment; an individual assignment with 2 parts; Literature review and Research Proposal. I found this assignment quite relative as I was working on trying to reduce the gender gap in Computer Science. I co-piloted an animation course in collaboration with Ora Steyn from the University at the Fraser Valley aimed at high school girls and managed to enrol 14 girls in a class or 30.
Assignment #1 – Literature Review
Assignment #2 – Research Proposal