When I think of Research....

• What insights have you gained about research from taking this course?
• In what ways have your ideas about the nature of doing research changed?
• What lessons about planning, designing, and conducting research in early childhood did you learn?
• What were some of the challenges you encountered—and in what ways did you meet them?
• What are some of the ways your perceptions of an early childhood professional have been modified as a result of this course?

The insights that I have gained about research from taking this course are that researches can be very complex and can also be very bias, as well as one sided depending on the researchers.
My ideas and ways have changed about the nature of doing research because I can can honestly say that I understand the time and effort of doing research and also the importance of doing research. I learned that you have to do intense planning, and make sure all of your assets are covered such as confidentiality, barriers, and parent understandings. This also goes for conducting and designing the research so that everything is legit and on the same level. One challenge that I encountered was a language barrier when I did my brief research on early childhood and poverty. I used a translator to get my information across that needed to be explained to families for further research instructions. Alot of early childhood professionals may not understand the different perceptions of research and this course is a good course for anyone to take in the early childhood field.

International topics

Some interesting facts are the ECDVU is committed to improving the quality of life for children and their families in Africa. The program seeks to accomplish this through working, on a sustained basis, with ECD leaders from across the continent. To meet the ECDVU’s child and social development objectives, it employs a number of approaches to post-secondary education that are ‘non-traditional’ in nature. These include: recognizing the strengths and expertise that exist locally and regionally; incorporating these ‘voices’ and experiences into the learning process; promoting sustainable, interactive networks that reach rural as well as urban populations; and using computer technology as a means for developing strong information and communication systems within Africa. (http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/about.php) So the research is basically based upon traditional and non traditional. These are some of the topics being researched    The Development of Integrated Early Childhood Development Urban Model Training Program for Informal Minders and Community Volunteers in Ghana, Building Community Leadership fo Quality Sustainablity in Madrasa Preschools Post Graduate Support, etc. There are many more but these caught my eye.(http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/documents/major_projects/Ahmed%20MP%20Final%20UVic%20LP.pdf) This website gives more information that has more research projects. Some other noteworthy information was
The Early Childhood Development Virtual University (ECDVU) works with nominees of participating countries to enhance the country's social and economic development through addressing the needs of their youngest citizens and the families and communities which nurture them.
The ECDVU grew out of a series of ECD training seminars (Summer Institutes) initiated by UNICEF in 1994/95. For more information click on the history of the ECDVU.
In 2000 the World Bank, utilizing Norwegian Educational Trust Funds, supported the development phase of the ECDVU. The World Bank was then joined by UNICEF, UNESCO, CIDA, the Bernard van Leer Foundation, and local employers of participants in supporting the delivery of the inaugural three year graduate degree program in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA-1) .(http://www.ecdvu.org/overview.php)

References:
http://www.ecdvu.org/overview.php

http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/documents/major_projects/Ahmed%20MP%20Final%20UVic%20LP.pdf

http://www.ecdvu.org/ssa/about.php