Week 3: Data, Topics, and Partners, Oh My!
Original Thoughts
As I said in my week one post, I am interested in comparing America’s approach to their treatment of teachers with another country or region’s treatment of teachers, potentially analyzing current policies in each of the countries or even in attitudes towards their own professions. I am fairly confident that I want to analyze how we view data affects how we view education, whether that be through how we see teachers or students.
Independent Work
When I first started the program and we heard about partners, I was not a huge fan of the idea. I wanted to work on my own project, on my own time, in my own way. However, after looking into the partner bank, I became a little more open minded towards having company (whether it be NGO, charity, or other) to support and challenge me along the way. I am still interested in a solo project, however, if I did an independent study, I would most likely focus a little more on American education. I am unsure if this is what I completely want yet.
Data for Children
When looking through the partner bank, I noticed this Partner called “Data for Children” which caught my eye for a number of reasons (education and data being the first very important two). Upon looking at their website, they explain that they are “using data responsibly to improve the outcomes for every child”. I am interested in potentially working with them on what they mean by “responsibly” and how that might look different to external groups of stakeholders throughout education.
Goodison Group in Scotland & Royal Society of Edinburgh
I ran across two more partner that I was interested in exploring options with, but the ideas for either of them did not com up immeidatluy. Goodison Group in Scotland and Royal Society of Edinburgh both have focuses in education and it’s intersection with society, however, they both lack a specific focus on what they hope to accomplish. This is a double edged sword, because that means that would have good freedom in exploring a topic and presenting it to them, but also more likely that they would be unwilling to work with me on a project that doesn’t fit their interests. I wanted to note them here because of the potential, however.
Themes
As I mention above, I am 80% sure that I want to analyze the relationship between data and students/teachers. I am unsure the specifics of this (whether it be analyzed through policy, fund allocation, job interest, or general population interest) as well. I am going to continue to look into the partners listed above, as well as read some current literature to try to fill a gap in what has been discussed prior.
Needs Assessment
It is unclear what type of needs assessment I would need to participate in until I have a final understanding of what my project entails. In the current rendition, however, I believe I would need so either complete some type of review of attitudes of stakeholders, whether that be through some sort of literature review or a more active based survey.
Conclusion
I am still not completely aware of what kind of project I will be completing. Future steps: look into the three partner potentials, read into literature surrouding the potential topic, and finalize the wished theme for the project. Until next time!
-Kate 🙂
This is fascinating, Kate: “I am interested in comparing America’s approach to their treatment of teachers with another country or region’s treatment of teachers, potentially analyzing current policies in each of the countries or even in attitudes towards their own professions.” The US is big enough and segmented enough, you could even potentially run comparisons between regions in addition to comparing between countries to see where the commonalities and differences lie across local cultures (for example: Are teachers in San Francisco treated more like teachers in Paris or teachers in Littlerock?). The UK and China have been running some teacher exchanges for some years, and it’s interesting to hear the impressions of the teachers from China when they return (teachers at the top schools here work hard, they’re also sent on exchanges to poorer countryside areas for 1-2 years at a time). Does the US run educational cooperations like that?
I agree with you, though, on “Data for Children.” When you mentioned you were eyeing that one among the listed partners, I thought, “Oh, that would be a good fit.” Depending on what it turns out they’re doing, it does seem like it could line up well with your interests. So I take it, ultimately, you’re picturing holding off on getting too fixated on a project topic until you know if you find a spot with a partner that maybe has its own idea about what it wants out of a project?
Kate, I’m with you on the instinct to work on my own thing. That said, it sounds like your interests could intersect with these partners though and access to data and an existing work effort could sure make life easier. Maybe it’s at least worth exploring the opportunities with an initial conversation – you and the partner might now right off if it’s mutually beneficial. Best of luck!