Cherylc’s TLITE blogs

Well its late and I’m thinking about this whole process of research and data collection. Sometimes it all seems to be clear and make lots of sense, while 2 minutes later I seem to have lost the focus I had moments ago. Collecting info and bringing it to group meetings has been helpful as we had a chance to compare our efforts to others( even if theirs looked far superior…in note form). I’m finding myself challenged for time and enthusiam these days. Its not that I’m not interested, its time management ( work, school & kids) which I don’t feel I’ve mastered well.

AFter getting together as a group and sharing ideas for our data, I think it might have been beneficial to have some of this info perhaps in Sept…it might have given me more ideas earlier…but oh well. At this stage we use the data we have and interpret it as much as possible.

Here we go for the next “paper”.

Things are not what I thought they would be this term. Somewhat of a challenge in many ways. The student I originally chose to work with (from last year) is no longer at the school. Maybe I shouldn’t have started the research process so soon…I guess I anticipated this students placement with me. He was to be sharing an EA for the year. Carlos was a big student for his age and very needy. In my class he would be getting .5 assistance and together with another 05 child they quailified for a full time EA in my class. This would be great…but sadly, this family would move out of district.

The first 2 weeks of school have begun and I’m now going to work on Plan B in my child study. Let’s see how this goes.

Well, its October…the leaves are falling, the pumpkins are ripe in the field and there is research to be done. Where is the time going?

There have been some changes in the students I had chosen to use as case studies this year. I began by doing observations on Duncan. Together with some consultation with learning support teams I thought we were on the road to beginning a plan for this child. Websites, referals, collection of student work; interviews with parents and learning support team had us moving in a helpful and supportive direction for him. Unfortunately and very suddenly, this child was taken from the class due to some family issue. I’m not sure if we will ever see him again as he and his sibilings( 4 kids) were provided with space in a safehouse. I know this will be the beginning of a better path for these kids. In the mean time, its back to the drawing board for kids to work with.

Now we start the data collection, again. I can only trust the student chosen this time will be staying in this class for a longer time. Let’s try some of the same methods for data collection. I have interviewed. observed, taken notes, made lists and met with learning support teams, again. I know this happens, but do have to say its very frustrating starting again. Time is running out for this assignment. I need time management!

Mid-July,

HELP! Well its been a long process… I definately think I’m in over my head with technology, research; hands on learning and how to use it, what is appropriate for what, what happens if I do this? Can I save all my research on my computer…what about using the library technology…I know that article was here somewhere…ohhhhh, I don’t know where I had it? Did it get deleted by accident? How will I find it again…where is that librarian at 2am? I ‘thought’ I knew how to do this…I’m soooo confused?! HELP !!!

Late July,

Well, its’ now a few weeks since looking at this stuff. It’s been an interesting process…yes, somewhat exciting, but I’m also realizing my lack of knowledge is showing as there are times I’m lost in what seems like really basic computer use, which means I have challenges with ‘computer vocabulary’, I mean…someone says, now use ‘ __?___’ or something, and I’m not sure where to find it…this is where I really feel like a fish out of water. I know if seen it before, but I can remember where and need to ask for assistance…while feeling rather inferior technology wise…and I’m still not even at the heavier research. What am I going to do??? I’ve had an extra tutoring session with the lady at SFU, Surrey…I think I’m feeling a little more secure in my abilities…but there is still loads of uncertainly. Now I’m really envious of Amy…I know she worked hard to get through the program…and this scares me seeing what she has done.

Summer is over half over…deadlines are going to be here before I’m ready…
….Hey there- (Mid August)

I think I’m starting to get some of this research stuff. Apparently I missed this part in school. The hardest part of this has been learning how to narrow down, but not too far down, the subject. I have managed to get some info…and without knowing what they really contain, going ahead and ordering matterials. I have found some of the info quite interesting. Some articles give me the feeling that “yes” I am doing something valid. Others are very long and not necessarily something I really want to pursue. I’m so glad the librarian had time to do some private time with me…I can say I learned some of the little ‘clicks’ that I would otherwise not have seem.

Sept…
Now that I’ve had a little time to work on finding articles, I think I’m getting more ideas of what might work for my class. I found it a real challenge learning what words to use in the search. Everytime I tried to use a word I got random articles not related to anything I wanted…not that I was really clear on what I should be searching for in the first place. As I changed words, I found it quite frustrating as I was not ready to read what seemed like huge books on language development research. Did I mention that I was only ‘ok’ at research projects all through school. I now have a better understanding of ‘how to read’ the research information data, leading to journals and articles. There is still research to be done, and now I’m a little closer to understanding where/ how to find it…

Year 2 here we come!!(teeth chattering…nails biting…anxiety…scared to death!)

until next time.

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