Blog 2

So I think I'll do my research project on rewards incentive vs. internal push, when considering students' motivations.  This is not something that I am deeply passionate about, but I am interested in it.   This topic came from a list that my advisor gave me, which is great because the topics that I had previously chosen all seemed to be too in depth and involved being able to have kids view materials that I picked and then get some reactions from them, which I learned was not really feasible. I was also worried that the answers to complex questions I had previously chosen might not manifest themselves during our observations, but my advisor said the ones on the list definitely would. 

From speaking with last year's MTFs, I learned that their questions were answered almost solely with qualitative data, mostly observation; they also informed me that they had little to no contact with the students and teachers they were studying (concerning their topic), which boggled my mind.  I thought, "really, you didn't do any surveys or interviews?"  This struck me as really odd.  I would definitely like to do some observing, interviewing, and surveying in my project. I am not afraid to say this, but I have been getting some mixed messages from professors and previous students about the types of research that I am expected to do, but I think I've got more of a handle on it now.  I'm wondering if anyone else has felt this way.  

Concerning the material we cover in class, it is not particularly interesting to me, but I see the value in knowing and being able to identify the different types of research data we may come across in reports as well as choose to use in the future.  I liked doing the analysis assignment, it gave me some insight into Winston-Salem high schools,  but the main thing I learned from the assignment is that Robbie is really good at Excel and I am not.

Post Script:  Saturday, June 14th is the awesome holiday of Flag Day, and it is also the awesome holiday of my birth.  There may be some rollerskating involved....details to follow.