A Beginning to Research

The beginning of my research simulation has been just that, a beginning. I chose to research what provokes early childhood educators to choose certain training and professional development topics within the field. Since each state mandates a certain number of hours of training, and many state quality rating and improvement systems specify the type or topic of training, this research may be quite skewed. My interest in this topic arises for me in my position as the Professional Development Coordinator at the local Child Care Resource and Referral. Over the past few years the majority of professionals have been focused on attending only the training that meets Step Up To Quality, Ohio’s quality rating system. With the newly granted Race-to-the-Top dollars, Ohio is going through a transition period within professional development departments. Now more than ever, it is vital to learn what motivates educators to learn more about how children develop and grow, and how educators can facilitate children’s learning in the most optimum ways. 

I wonder if you, my colleagues, have any ideas and/or suggestions on the best way to discover this information. Do you know of any research that has already been conducted on this topic and where I might locate the results? I am curious to learn anything you might be able to share with me to shed new insights on the best way to continue my research. As I continue my research I am working on refining my subject to gain the best information and get to the heart of what educators really look for in professional development.