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For a refreshing overview of Roots of Empathy’s tradition and virtual programs and a discussion about research and teaching, listen to this podcast from Teach Better Talk! Hear our Director of Research discuss how teachers can use research every day and the impact our global research has on the children who join our programs. @teachbetterteam

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Looking at the data we have in front of us and taking action steps.

Why research is something you became passionate about

I used to be a teacher, loved working with kids, a special ed teacher. Understanding how to help children masters in psychology. Research is such an opportunity to do better and move forward. Answers a lot of questions and gives more questions. Supporting children in any capacity in the school for example. So many ways to collect data. We focus on research to try best understand our impact. Our lens. We collect data whether it’s quantitative or qualitative. To better understand answers questions, understand their experiences. A way So many ways to conduct research. You can collect observational data and all that information gives you insight into your questions. As educators taking in new information, scanning the classrooms, evaluating their answers, that’s all research. Helps you understand what’s going on in your classroom. You collect whatever information you want. Helps you focus in on an area we didn’t realize we needed to. Need to know what you are seeking information on. How do you team decide the questions you are going to be collecting. As educators we don’t’ do well connecting that questions and the answers. Our APE is an ongoing process of collecting feedback. We have program goals and we try to develop questions based on those program goals. When children are young, it’s about whether children can understand us. We look at question by question, would a child understand at this age or this age. Constant questions we ask ourselves to revise and make something new. Teachers run into this all the time, how to ask a question that is relevant to them. A lot of looking back at what we have done and previous feedback. It’s the way we ask the questions, we aren’t always sure. When I think of research, we have gone into a lot of skills teachers use one daily basis. Questioning to make better decisions. The medium and modality you ask to make decisions. A constant circling affect having a goal and seeing how close you are to that goal. Interpreting the information. It’s a yearly cycle. Final thought concept of research – insight takeaway for our community. Action step. What you want the community to leave with. The concept of research can feel daunting but, in the classroom, you don’t need a whole study to get questions and observations. Little things you can do in the classroom or in our program. Not necessarily a large study but collecting information. Teacher in a classroom, by watching what they are doing and asking questions. Data all of that is information you can use. Valuable. Observations in your classroom. Important for your work and moving forward. We meet people intimidated by research. Can help children in so many ways. Don’t be intimidated by research. We as educators have the opportunity to utilize the voices of our schools, district, classroom what are your goals. I appreciate these reminders, a tangible challenge – reflect on what questions you are asking and what data you are collecting. What are you doing with it? Are you aware of what data you are collecting every day?

 

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