If I possessed the means and the knowledge to conduct research studies on any topic in the early childhood field I would conduct more research on treatment and eventual cures for early childhood cancers such as Nuerobalstoma. While this may not directly be an early childhood education topic we have had three students battling cancer at our center and that brings the cause close to our faculty’s hearts. I would focus on a treatment that was as effective and non invasive as possible so that the children could continue to enjoy a ‘normal’ lifestyle and participate more often in school. Often early childhood cancers are the result of DNA or prenatal cells that do not mature properly. There are many research and treatment studies on medicines that would help ‘grow up” these cells so that developed normally. Obviously, curing or halting childhood cancer would be a positive contribution to the lives of the children and families affected by the disease. Many typical treatments today can cause long term issues in the health of those children who do survive cancer.  Included in these issues is a higher likelihood of learning problems.  If we could eradicate some of the riskier current treatments children who have beaten the disease would be less likely to struggle educationally.

The subtopic I chose for my research simulation was the use of technology, specifically computers vs. Ipads and whether they were helpful in impacting preschool student achievement. I chose this topic as there seems to be a lot of pressure to include technology in the classroom, computers, ipads, smartboards and the like in the classroom seems to be a selling point of the school  to families and teachers alike. But..does this mean it is in the best interest of the child, especially when there are so many studies which encourage us to limit screen time and get back to exploring nature and hands on learning? So I am genuinely curious as to how and why we should implement technology. So far it appears that technology can aide achievement but mostly through peer and teacher interaction with the children while the use the devices.