I Used to Think… Now I Think, Reaction Paper Example

Abstract

The objective of this work in writing is to compose an essay that discusses ideas from this course that has influenced this writer’s thinking as an instructional leader and how the ideas put forth in this class will be used in the practice. This work will consider this writer’s conception of the practical nature and use of research and how this research will be interpreted by this writer to improve the school, the classroom setting, teaching practices, and ultimately, student achievement, and most particularly in the context of work. Finally, this work will discuss whether the ability to interpret research is an essential understanding for citizens living in a democracy.

Objective

The objective of this work in writing is to compose an essay that discusses ideas from this course that has influenced this writer’s thinking as an instructional leader and how the ideas put forth in this class will be used in the practice. This work will consider this writer’s conception of the practical nature and use of research and how this research will be interpreted by this writer to improve the school, the classroom setting, teaching practices, and ultimately, student achievement, and most particularly in the context of work. Finally, this work will discuss whether the ability to interpret research is an essential understanding for citizens living in a democracy.

What Has Been Learned

This class has served to inform me of how practical research assists the school administrators and administrators of other community-based human service agencies in determining and meeting the needs of students. This course was made available through independent reading, passive and active presentation via PowerPoint, research article critiques, online discussion boards, research proposal development, meta-cognitive reflection and other appropriate methods.

I learned a great deal in this course and among what I learned is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research methods as well as which method is most appropriate for specific types of research studies. As well, I learned in this course the relationship that inherently exists between research and practice and I additionally learned to locate and critique research-based professional literature in specific topics of education and administration.

I believe that the knowledge I gained in this class will be practical and useful in my own instructional practice as I learned to identify a problem in education and to propose the framework of a study examining the problem through use of research design, procedures, instrumentation and data analysis that is appropriate for such investigation.

Research is inherently linked to the instructional practice as the teacher that is competent is always observing and identifying necessary changes in the classroom and needs of the students for accelerating their learning and their academic achievement levels. Oftentimes, instructional leaders fail to have an inquisitive mind about what affects students in the classroom and even how the instructional practice affects the learning of students. I have learned that anytime a valid question exists needing an answer that the instructional leader should be moved to ascertain through research what the best practice for the classroom would be in a given situation and with a given student or classroom group.

How Knowledge Learned in this Class Will Be Used in the Future

The knowledge that has been gained in this class by this writer will assist this writer as an instructional leader in the future. As well, what I have learned is that I need to be at all times aware of the needs of students for learning and that I need to be aware that different student have different needs in learning so that I can ensure that my instructional practice is of the nature that will assist all students in gaining academic success. The uses of the various modes of instruction during this class have included those as follows:

• independent reading,
• passive and active presentation via PowerPoint,
• research article critiques,
• online discussion boards,
• research proposal development,
• meta-cognitive reflection and
• other appropriate methods—

All of these modes of instruction have served to inform me that these methods of instruction are appropriate and effective for use by the teacher in classroom instruction.

Importance of Research in a Democracy

The importance of conducting research in a democracy cannot be over-emphasized. Research is the gathering of information, is designed for problem solving, is highly relative to decision-making, and serves to provide the necessary information to make sound decisions and this is particularly true in education where empirical evidence-based research is critically important in decisions regarding instructional provision of education to students. Research provides the platform, upon findings that support needed changes, to make those changes and to do so with the support of the community, school staff, and school administrators.

Research is a method of backing up what instructional leaders already know to be true experientially. While the instructional leader may understand fully that certain methods of instruction or certain materials are, more effective in the classroom than are others conducting research provides the basis for making needed changes. Furthermore, research and evidence-based findings serves to gain the support of the academic community as research supports and proves that specific instructional methods or materials are more optimal for use in the provision of classroom instruction than are other less effective methods.