Reading up on evidence based practice

The more I read on the subject of 'evidence based practice' in education the more I realise that educational research or evidence is flimsy at the very least as it is so different to medical research. Medical research can be controlled in that many lab tests etc can be sterile of other factors or influences, and education is not like that at all. The study of biology and the study of social sciences can be worlds apart.

Interestingly I was speaking with someone on the subject of research and the projects we have done at the college to contribute to 'research' on technology in education. I realised after reading today that many of the 'studies' or 'research projects' are done by those not educated in research methods, nor those who are experienced in conducting valid, reliable and rigourous testing. It is also not cumulative in nature, but random, not building upon previous research - nor in fact even based nor mention of previous study results in a similar field.

This is very worrying really, in that some decisions about the use of technology in education are based on very flimsy research or findings often done by those inexpereinced to do it. Just imagine if the medical field was like that??? would you go to a Doctor?

A colleague of mine said on this subject, about the money we were given to do research projects, that it is almost fraud, taking money for research and on advice from the boss fabricating a 'good' story of success about what we have done, even if it didn't go well at all. Again, just imagine this scenario in medical science.

The last time I did a module on research methods it was about qualitative and quantitative methods, triangulation, interpretive, positive etc etc, but this module i'm doing now has made me really think about the true value of research and 'evidence based practice' and what research is used for - and especially how we have a responsibility to be transparent, robust and rigourous. It has also made me realise the true value of what cumulitive research has done, especially in medicine and science in the world today.

I have been writing an assignment today with a very small word count, the challenge is to keep the wording down, not write about the subject - the subject could write a thesis. Well, a productive day and half of my assignment written.

Tomorrow a brain break, off to get my son's hair cut...

Change of plan!

Last weekend I was supposed to start my EdD Doctorate in Education. Not only was this something I was really looking forward to doing, but I'd also won a studentship - amazing.

A couple of weeks ago I went away with my son and friends and realised everything I was working towards was right in front of me, my son (after years of struggle)is now functioning as a normal child (well for him anyway) compared to a couple of years ago. I suddenly realised that if I did a Doctorate I would miss the details of his life. My study was all about a positive focus when he was not good, and also about striving to provide him with a better life. I realised on our weekend away, seeing him so happy, calm and content we had made it - his life is BETTER!!

So, the big decision came, the choice between enjoying my son the way he is now and all the hard work I'd put into giving him a childhood and getting him better, or juggle both him and my studies - and without question my son's childhood won. I need to enjoy and reap the benefit of my hard work, his company nowadays is so enjoyable, satisfying and infectious.

So instead I am doing the final year of my MA in Online & Distance Education with the Open University, I have completed two years already with a Post Grad Dip(at the same time as studying MA Ed with the University of Worcester), so I'll finish what I started.

After this academic year and my second MA I will give my brain a break and enjoy my beautiful son - most importantly I do not want to be one of those parents who say regretful things like 'they grow up so quick, if your not watching you miss it' - I am going to make sure I see everything, observe and continue to support his progress and achievements (however big or small).

There will come a time down the line when he will want to become more independent and it will be then that I will pursue my EdD aim, that way I can have the best of him, with no regrets and have something to do when life is much quieter.

So head down for the final year of brain drain....

I have my graduation for my MA Ed on the 4th Nov, how satisfying is it going to be to wear that gown :)

Anyway off to bed now, I've been drowning in books about 'evidence based practice' for my first assignment of this year.

OMG!!! MA Education, a first!!!!!!!!!!

I have just signed into my student home page at the University of Worcester to see my grade for my MA Ed, my provisional grade has been agreed by examiners

PASS WITH DISTINCTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I DID IT!!!!!!!!! Yeahhh

The suspense is killing me...

It is now mid-september and I am eagerly awaiting my MA Education results from the University of Worcester. The last contact I had with my tutor was very positive and encouraging and I was told that with amendments (that I did straight away) I could potentially get a 1st. Every morning I can't wait for the post, as any day now I'll know what grade I will have.

Obvioulsy I only need to pass to enrol on my Educational Doctorate (already won the studentship regardless), but a 1st would be quite an achievement, especailly in light of many challenging circumstances in my personal life (i won't go into it here, this is a professionla blog -but I have learned many valuable lessons from events, I can tell you).

I achieved distinction with some of my OU post grad dip work, so it is possible....but oh I'm burning with anticipation!!!

Links to resources

If tagged appropriately then a blog could be organised to link into networks etc

Or linked to online resources

For example my published article on Ariadne
http://www.ariadne.ac.uk/issue58/brady/

But how I can I easily add files without visitors having to trawl to find things?

Blogs and eportfolios

Just a thought, but how much can I do with a blog. I can add links, I can reflect but can I add documents or embedd videos of evidence of practice, for example...

Videos, yes
Images, yes
Links, yes

But can I add, organise and present a range of documents?

Thats the next thing to find out - can a blog have multi-dimensions?

Great meeting today

I had a great meeting with a lecturer I have a huge amount of respect for. Everytime I speak to her I am inspired and enthusiastic, maybe I should have her on tap each evening before I get stuck into my dissertation. She could easily offer a cure for writters block.

Our conversation about the use of the web for learning made me think about the world today and how the culture of information is very different. I also came accross a great article about the use of the net and social networking sites now apparently getting more hits than google, quite amazing and demonstates the social rather than knowledge application of the internet.
http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2010/03/15/facebook-unseats-google-as-most-visited-site

My journey into Web 2.0. tools

I am just starting my journey into the use of Web 2.0 tools in Education. I am not new to this topic as I have already covered it on my Post Grad Dip in Online & Distance Education through the Open University.

It is now time to put my learning into action for a Web 2.0 in H.E. funded project at Worcester College of Technology. I am keen to use as many Web 2.0 tools as possible, but only if they offer an enhancement to the learning process, in essence I want to use the best tools to do the job and not use IT for ITs sake.