tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14184878.post115858769599886896..comments2023-10-15T10:29:12.991+01:00Comments on Karyn's erratic learning journey: Education research: not off to a good start!The upsychohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06345558899662051670noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14184878.post-1158658111660832672006-09-19T10:28:00.000+01:002006-09-19T10:28:00.000+01:00jvvw - I had considered that possibility, and I ho...jvvw - I had considered that possibility, and I honestly hope that that's the case. Otherwise I am a bit worried that we're starting with something that's a decade old.<BR/><BR/>Mark - Thanks, and yes - I can just see you doing exactly that, but you would be so much subtler about it than I would. You'd ask all sorts of provocative questions and then sit back and chortle to yourself as chaos ensued!<BR/><BR/>vicki - the voice of gentle reason in amongst those egging me on to stir up trouble. Bless you. Thanks for the warning and, yes I know about the dangers of that soapbox, (and I bear the scars to prove it) but I tend to have a 50 horsepower mouth and a 5 horsepower brain. I am your stereotypical shoot-from-the-hip South African. There are those who know me, those who love me, and those precious, precious few who know me and <B>still</B> love me. Among them it is said you always know where you stand with Karyn - if you can stand at all, that is! My sister-in-law says I am the most grown-up person she knows... until someone touches on one my hot issues - then all semblance of maturity vanishes and it's handbags at dawn. It might not surprise you to hear that my favourite disciple is Peter, I <B>so</B> understand that man! I draw much comfort from his story - right up until the point where tradition tells us he was crucified upside down! As I said, I am <B>hoping</B> to be civil. I'll let you know.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14184878.post-1158610428444510002006-09-18T21:13:00.000+01:002006-09-18T21:13:00.000+01:00I used to be a market researcher so here are some ...I used to be a market researcher so here are some thoughts he might understand:<BR/><BR/>Just remember that something has to be used to create the primary research question. The anecdotal evidence of teachers such as myself make great resources for developing the "primary question" used in more widespread research.<BR/><BR/>Secondly, there is the old adage that when you dissect a frog, he is no longer a frog. Any time a living, breathing element is studied there is a certain amount of error that is introduced. When doctors study the human body, there are many variables but it is still one body.<BR/><BR/>When a person studies the classroom, there are so many variables that need to be isolated that it is virtually impossible. <BR/><BR/>So, although research is very important (everything we do at our school is research based), you end up having to use meta-analysis like Marzano has used. If you want to find truly useful research, he's the one I like because by using meta-analysis (or analysis of a large number of studies to find patters) you tend to remove so many variables and see true patterns emerge.<BR/><BR/>The tough thing about analysis of technology is that it is evolving so quickly, it does not achieve stasis long enough to actually study it.<BR/><BR/>I hope you'll keep your cool, do your research and discuss these topics in a meaningful professional way because I have found soap boxes to be slippery routes to irrelevance and I've stood (or slipped) off too many in my lifetime! <BR/><BR/>Good luck, if my little bit of research background can help you, e-mail me offline. Good luck!Vicki Davis @coolcatteacherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05549879610620143027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14184878.post-1158609494650185572006-09-18T20:58:00.000+01:002006-09-18T20:58:00.000+01:00Karyn, what a brilliant set of comparisons. I say ...Karyn, what a brilliant set of comparisons. I say go for it. But then I would!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14184878.post-1158608155413424772006-09-18T20:35:00.000+01:002006-09-18T20:35:00.000+01:00Don't forget that it might have been deliberately ...Don't forget that it might have been deliberately picked in order to provoke discussion!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14184878.post-1158590076387321592006-09-18T15:34:00.000+01:002006-09-18T15:34:00.000+01:00Yeah, me too, rather... which is what I'm afraid o...Yeah, me too, rather... which is what I'm afraid of. I'm likely to get myself branded as a troublemaker from the off!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14184878.post-1158589484686467042006-09-18T15:24:00.000+01:002006-09-18T15:24:00.000+01:00"throw caution to the wind" I say, but then I'm a ..."throw caution to the wind" I say, but then I'm a learning activist ;-)Harold Jarchehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11462304722726586155noreply@blogger.com