Never Say Never

     First, I have to admit something I never thought would be possible; I never would have believed it possible for me to enjoy research and find it anything other than painful. So, never say never because surprisingly I have enjoyed this research class.  The following are my thoughts on the happenings in EDLD 5301:
     Lectures:  I found Dr. Arterbury and Dr. Jenkins lectures to be helpful, especially during week two when I was stressed about how to get started with my inquiry. Week two’s lecture helped me understand how to choose the words for writing my action research wondering, which was such a big deal because words and questions were all over the place in my brain. 
     Readings:  I think the book by Nancy Fichtman Dana is outstanding and a keeper.  The Dana text does a super job explaining what action research is and how it’s different from traditional research.  It explains the reasons for research and reflection.  I liked the many examples for topics and action researches provided in the text.  The chapter giving suggestions on how to make time for research was very helpful since time is a concern of mine.
     Searches:  The resource section of this course has an awesome list of websites to explore.  The name of this list is “Essential Websites”.  The list is well organized and can be a time saver when searching for a specific website.  I have found time to explore some of the websites and already found a couple that will be helpful to my action research.  There are many interesting titles that I am eager to explore and share with my campus.  Unfortunately, there is a blank page in the website list and you can tell there are websites missing because they’re numbered.  Also, some of the website links I've tried did not work.  
     Assignments:  Though some of the assignments stressed me out, they all helped me retain the knowledge provided because I had to apply what I learned.  I am excited about my action research plan, conducting it throughout the next several months, and learning the results of my inquiry.  I think it will be an exciting journey!
     Discussion Board:  The discussions are something I didn’t like in the beginning of the course, but they grew on me.  I liked reading others thoughts about the subject and getting responses from my reply.   The replies were always helpful, encouraging and kind.  It was also exciting to read what others were experiencing at their schools.  Some of their experiences were relatable to my campus and others I’m grateful do not exist on my campus.  Classmates on Discussion Board have given me some good ideas.
     Web Conferences:  I always had problems with sound during the web conferences.  Toward the end of the course, I finally gave up and waited to watch the recorded session.  Watching the recorded sessions were just as painful because it would freeze.  I managed to struggle through all but one of them.  I realize it is probably my internet connection, but it’s as good as it’s going to get because of my location. I think all the webcams being turned on effects my connection because when they were all turned off in the previous course the sound was great and I didn’t have a freezing problem.  I also found the side bar posting more distracting than helpful during this course.  A lot of the same questions were asked over and over and most answers could be found in the assignment, resource section, and/or in the weekly overview posted on the Google site.  One thing I did get from the web conferences was that Dr. Abshire was genuinely interested in helping her students be successful in this course.  
     Blogs:  I know I’m part of a minority when I say blogging has not been a favorite of mine.  I look forward to this opinion changing and hope the more I blog the better I’ll like it.  I enjoyed creating my blog and I really like reading blogs.  Many of the research blogs I’ve read have very talented writers.  I understand the importance of blogging and how helpful it can be, but I do not like posting on a blog.  Blogging is similar to writing in a journal.  I like writing in my journal, which I do often.  The biggest difference between journaling and blogging is that nobody is reading it.  When journaling I’m not concerned with the grammar, spelling, punctuation or if it even makes sense.  I feel free to write exactly like I would speak, in my Southeast Texas way.  When blogging I spend way too much time on those things.  I wear myself out proofing what I’ve written and checking to see if it makes sense.  (I must have some kind of problem that has a special name).  This will be hard for me, but I’m going to work on proofing my post only a couple of times then throwing it out there.  Another reason I don’t care for blogging is having to ask people to leave comments.  I appreciate comments and find them helpful, but I don’t like asking people to take the time to do so.  Requesting comments for me is like trying to sell wrapping paper.  As you can guess, I would not be very helpful as a salesperson during fund raising time at our school.