I have to admit that coming into this class I was very nervous about the topic and the types of assignments it would bring. I was very unfamiliar with researching, and had never formally done any type of big research project. Yes, I had done small amounts of research in undergrad, but nothing earth shattering. At the end of this eight weeks I can say that I am still wary, but feel much more confident in my abilities now.

            One thing I have learned is that I am technically a researcher in my every day job as a kindergarten teacher. I say this because I am continually collecting data on my students and analyzing it in a way to better my teaching, and better their education. I had never thought of myself as a researcher before, but now I know that I am walking the teacher-researcher line.

            I have definitely met some challenges throughout this course. One is the lack of confidence in myself. Because of the nervous feeling I had coming into the course, I found myself doubting my answers or my abilities at some points. I have learned to trust myself and just go with it. This has definitely been a learning process for most of us I believe, and I am glad to have gone through it with my colleagues there to support me.

This week I chose to look at the Early Childhood Australia website that can be found at http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/. I chose this website because Australia is a place I would like to someday visit, but is also a place that I do not know much about as far as their education system goes.

In looking through the website, some of the current research topics I saw were:

-         Learning and teaching through play

-     Use and cost of family daycare

-     Misconceptions about mathematics

-     Teachers support of Children's scientific learning

-     Parent and staff expectations of continuity of home practices

Surprising facts/insight I found:

-         Not only does Early Childhood Australia work with government, professionals, and caregivers, but it is important for them to include and work with parents and grandparents. I find this to be amazing! Parents and other family members should be included in the care and education of their children, and I think this is something that the United States could use more work in.

Other information:

-         Early Childhood Australia is affiliated with NAEYC

-         They believe in fully including children with disabilities into classrooms

-     There is an ECA branch in every state/territory of Australia