My Reflections on the read articles

After reading so many articles on educational and learning environment researches/issues including the below-mentioned articles, I realized that there are some close links between the current module with MED 871 Educational Inquiry I and MED 841 Individual Differences and Learning, which I have taken before. Why do I say that? Firstly, most if not all of the articles that I have read in this module are research reports. I have lesser fear when I read through the reports because I found the formats familiar as I have done quite a few literature reviews in the module MED 871, and I can get a better overview of some of the reports because the format is simple, for example: Introduction, Objectives, Literature Review, Methods, Data Analysis, Discussions and Conclusion. Terms like quantitative analysis, qualitative analysis, triangulation, validity, reliability, ANOVA, MANOVA, etc, are what I have learnt beforehand and am applying them to the current module to aid my understanding of the reports. However, I still have problem interpreting and understanding the meaning of statistical data such factorial validity, factor analysis, simple correlation and multiple correlation results.

As for the concepts learnt in MED 841, they can also be applied to my current module to further enhance my teaching strategies and my students’ learning environments. For instance, having read the reports on learning environment research given by Dr Quek, I realized that I have been neglecting the importance of my teaching environment, which is the students’ learning environment, which can eventually affect their learning outcomes in terms of academic performances, attitudes, etc. For example, two of the important areas of focus of a learning environment are the Student Responsibility / Freedom in QTI (mentioned in Dr Quek’s article, 2005) and Teacher Support in WIHIC (mentioned in Castillo’s article, 2005). Firstly, at times, in order to facilitate learning, students also need teachers to give them the responsibility and freedom for their own activities. However, we have to ensure that they behave well and have self-discipline. If not, we may need to use mediation of Self-Regulation and Control of Behaviour. Secondly, most of the students need teachers’ support in order to learn better, hence we may need to use mediations of Intentionality and Reciprocity, Meaning, and Competence, etc.

In conclusion, though the readings in the current module is a lot, I started to find it satisfying and useful as I am getting to see a bigger and clearer picture of how the theories and concepts learnt in this Masters of Education program can make me more knowledgeable and enhance my current and future teaching strategies.