Me, A Researcher?

When I began this journey in the Masters in Learning and Technology, the part I most dreaded was research.  I had no idea how research had evolved, or how little I knew about research.  I was stuck in the mire of research courses from over twenty-five years ago.  Quantitative research with reams of numbers that left you limp and lifeless.  These numbers invaded dreams and waking life.

Imagine my surprise when my textbook, Mindful Inquiry in Social Research showed up in my mailbox.  I loved the title, and I couldn't wait to dive into the book.  And dive into it, I did.  It became my lunchtime and bedtime reading.  I couldn't put it down!  Statements like, "our philosophy of research, which we call mindful inquiry, is a synthesis of four intellectual traditions phenomenology, hermeneutics, critical social science, and Buddhism." My eyes were drawn to critical social science and Buddhism. I asked myself, how could a textbook on research include faith?  Not my faith necessarily, but I was drawn to this idea.  I am also a proponent of critical pedagogy, and I was convinced that critical social theory and critical pedagogy had to be linked somehow.  And in fact, they are!

This was an eye-opening experience.  I soon learned that research as I had imagined it, was not necessarily the only choice.  That there were many cultures of inquiry and many ways to shape and conduct research that focused on people and real community issues.  Research that's goal was to work towards a more socially just society, not just through gathering information, but turning that information that was people and issue focused into action.

My mind and my heart are now open to the idea of conducting primary research to improve the society in which I live.  My jumbled head sees potential research questions everywhere, in violence against women, women's equality, education, assistive supports for people with cognitive challenges, government policy, and legislation.  This world in my mind is endless and exciting.  A world that I hope someday to be able to be an active participant in creating knowledge and action towards social change that makes a difference for people.

Bentz, V.M. & Shapiro, J.J. (1998).  Mindful inquiry in social research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Auditory learners and research

I began an adventure this week, looking for supports for my son who is on the autism spectrum.  He is considered moderate. However, having said that he is very intelligent and is beginning a new college program in the fall.  Through some support, we discovered Livescribe pens.  These pens allow learners to create pen casts through tapeing either their voice and thoughts or a lecture and taking key word notes.  We received the two pens, one for me, and one for my son because I need to be able to use the technology to support him. I started to experiment with the pen in my Introduction to Research, class work. I am currently critically analyzing six research papers.

As an auditory learner, I find it somewhat difficult to live in the online world.  I spend a lot of time in my home office talking to myself about information and knowledge that I have read either on discussion boards, blogs or class readings.  If anyone heard me, I am sure I would be committed.  What I discovered while experimenting with the Livescribe pen is that this will also enhance my learning in my Masters program.  I can read, say thoughts out loud while writing notes. I can then sync it to my computer or handheld device, and I have a pen cast of my thoughts and my notes together, which I can listen to and read over and over.  Quite often when I read information, I take notes and I speak out loud to myself, but because my brain is trying to do too many things at once, I lose my verbal thoughts before I can get them down.  This technology enables me to capture both at the same time and write down key words, speak the thoughts around the key words and capture it all at once.  Brilliant!

I have done a pen cast that I am attaching here.  I am still new to the technology, so it is not polished yet, but it will get better and better.  I have also attached youtube videos about the Livescribe pen in hopes that you may be able to use this technology with your learners who may be struggling or yourself in your own endeavors.

Page 3 - LS3 LTR Single Subject Notebook 1

Page 3 - LS3 LTR Single Subject Notebook 1https://www.evernote.com/shard/s635/sh/13089ccb-7267-42b1-94ec-e5f62fde878f/bf6799ac18b5f02bbf08f166327a2669

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20Hgc_B4xuM