While completing my undergraduate degree at Illinois, I took a class just before student teaching that had a unit focused on research. While only a few weeks were spent on this topic, we were not able to get into great detail regarding research. What I do remember is that we did discuss differences between quantitative and qualitative research and completed a few methodologies. I must admit that I did put this memory into the back of brain until recently.
Since completing module 1 of this current class, I have taken some things from the past "out of storage" from the past. I have reflected upon what I had known about research and what I now know after completing this module. While I was correct in remembering quantitative and qualitative research, I certainly did not know that there are specific methods of research within each of these categories. In the reading from Phillips (2008), he goes on to explain the value of research for music educators as well as different publications that are available to music educators to study. I had not realized that so many resources were available (especially online as silly as that seems) but I also had not realized that I should be utilizing these tools available to me. While this reading was specific to music education, as a novice to research, I must admit that it was somewhat difficult to understand some of the specific types of research since he did not go in to great detail or use examples. I did gain a greater understanding of the different types of research, however, I would not say that I would be able to differentiate between them all at this point, nor would I be able to implement a specific type of study effectively.
After completing the Phillips (2008) reading, I went on to the Mertler (2012) reading. I was surprised to see that this book was not specific at all to music education. I was also intrigued by this new term "action research" that Mertler speaks of. Mertler speaks of action research being something that any teacher or administrator can do to study their own classrooms or schools to make their teaching more effective. After reading this, I realized that I take part in this all the time, but I did not know that it had an actual name. I found that Mertler's reading was much easier to understand, as it seems to take a more humanistic approach than the Phillips (2008) reading, if that makes sense. In my opinion, much of what Phillips had said in his reading was also said in the Mertler (2012) reading, but Mertler did a great job of providing lots of examples for each of his topics. Mertler was able to give me a clear understanding of the basis of educational research, as well as introduce this "new" topic of action research and how it pertains to today's educational system. In Illinois we are adopting the Danielson Framework for Learning and our observations are based upon this system. The Mertler (2012) reading gave me some great insight into this because there are many similarities within action research. This new framework uses lots of reflection in teaching, as well as collaboration. Both of these ideas are explained thoroughly in the Mertler (2012) reading.
The readings for the week have done a thorough job of re-introducing me to research. I appreciate that there are multiple sources of the reading, as people learn in different ways. The Mertler (2012) reading uses a fair number of diagrams and outside sources, while the Phillips (2008) reading is straight and to the point. The two authors compliment each other in a wonderful way. Understanding the historial significance and background of anything will lead to improvements in the future; education is no exception. The videos that have been associated with this module have helped to add to what is being learned. I especially appreciated the historical narration about Edwin E. Gordon. It was great to learn about some of the early pioneers in music education research and what he has accomplished throughout his life. It is great to hear of somebody's quest to better music education within society, especially since he was so interested in such young children! Even at the age of 85 he is still reflecting!
I hope that the rest of the modules continue to open my eyes to the importance and relevance of research.
