Task 6c

One of the articles I found was written in the Telegraph by their education editor, Graeme Paten. Title being ‘Summer-born children ‘lag behind at school’. This article clearly states that the summer born children struggle to catch up to the others. So surely pro-longing this process more, by having the younger children of the year start later is making this worst to begin their academic journey. It talks about they are more likely to be bullied and have learning difficulties than the older children. By big issue with this fact is where is the justifying in what the government has put in place to ensure this isn’t the case. There is no good in writing these points and not giving solutions. It goes on to talk about the younger ones less likely to get a-levels, join 6^th form or attend university again this is another issue that I want to know is in place to make sure that it isn’t the case. Is it because children fall behind, is it because children have a hard time through-out their school? Is it confidence? It talks about a debate for the best way to educate summer born children. Apparently the discussion was about making children all 4 so it is earlier and they have longer to master the basics but academics warned that children being pushed too early before there ready can be negative. My thoughts on this immediately are yes maybe our children should come to school to learn the basics but surely it has to be basic. Many nurseries and children centres were some children are younger than 4 it isn’t just basics they are being pushed to learn learn learn as setting have to follow the EYFS but this is surely the problem why can’t it be all play and they start to learn and follow routine after a year of ‘play’.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/7916918/Summer-born-children-lag-behind-at-school.html#

The next article I like was a BBC News one and it was named ‘is five too soon to start school’? This talks about English children go through a fixed curriculum whilst other European countries their children at the age of 5 are still playing at home. From what I have read I believe that there have been previous studies into if an early start has an advantage but like said before there seems to be no answers.

"The assumption that an early starting age is beneficial for children's later attainment is not well supported in the research and therefore remains open to question," report says.

this quote really makes me excited for my inquiry as it supports my points and views that’ there is not a definite reason as to why the UK do it different to any other country, I go on..

This article interestingly talks about out reason being in our history which a college as mentioned to me once before. It says it was for protection for our children in the Victorian times and if a child started early they could leave early and get a job. This has completely changed now as a child starts so young and can carry on consecutive learning until the age of 21+. So have they really thought about starting later to finish later?

It also discus’s that children have less time with their families than other countries does this affect them long term?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/7234578.stm

 

Finally in the same article as above it discusses a lot about other countries. This was a short point I liked. It was about Finnish children starting formal education at the age of 7 yet they have the highest level of standards and the same for Polish children they have the best reading skills. So how can our country justify the starting age being so young? Or is it just a cultural thing that their naturally a more clever country?

These were 3 bits of literature on my inquiry topic that stood out to me and many link to my ideas as discussed before. They are 3 main points which I will use for module 3 and will carry on finding more literature on my topic.

 

Task 6b

I found the interview process the most difficult one in terms of time. I had set in my mind who I wanted to interview and it was really hard to find a time appropriate to get quality out of the interview. After a week went by I managed to sit down with this person and carry out the interview. The interview felt very formal which was how I wanted it to be. I got what I wanted form the interview which was really good data for me to note down. The interviewee stated that they really liked my questions and posed I should put them to other people as well. I feel the important part of this was choosing who to interview, I wouldn’t just pick anyone it really had to be someone who was going to know stuff I was about to ask them. As for the actual questions I was really pleased with them and got exactly what I wanted from them.

The survey I have found really useful. I feel that people don’t mind taking 5 minutes of their time to write an answer, I feel it’s the best way to get across to many different people. There is not a limit as to how many surveys to give out. I think my questions were abit average but I do also feel for my inquiry they are very appreciate, I particularly liked my last question which was about what someone would do if they could make the law up I feel it gave the person real freedom and it means I can really see peoples true views on schooling. I received most of my surveys back and I managed to ask 1 parent, 6 teachers and 2 others who work with children but in different settings. So it really gave me what I wanted with a wide range of answers.

My focus group was another one which was hard to do as getting everyone together was a challenge. But I got there in the end and everyone grabbed coffee and I just had a general ‘chat’ and put in my questions. I found this so useful it really started up a discussion which lead to a mini debate. It gave me all sorts of answers that I can reflect on. It allowed people to talk about their own personal experiences about my topic. I am glad I choose people in my year group as it meant we had a base to relate back to. I only asked 3 questions during this as I wanted the discussions to go into depth. As for the personalities of people this was the challenge. Some people found it hard to chip in as I did have one person who was very over powering so I as the leader had to keep trying to bring it back to everyone which I did find difficult I had to ensure I was listening to everyone.

Lastly the observation was interesting I did feel it made the person feel a bit uncomfortable but I just ensured I made them feel at ease. It was interesting to see different tactics to mine and was odd to watch an adult rather than what I’m used to is to observe a child. I found this the least useful just as I feel I kind of observe the teacher daily so if I was to do this again I would maybe choose a parent and choose a different setting.

So for module 3 I will decently use surveys to find out information and peoples opinions I will also do lots of focus groups. I will try interviews again and try to plan them in advance. I will try my best to make people aware of my inquiry and involve as many people as I can.

Task 6a

For my pilot interview I wanted to research on official data. I will use the interviewee’s answers as evidence. I want to ask why to someone who has experience in my subject of inquiry and who has the correct knowledge. I want to find out others perception on my chosen topic. I can use this all as data. I will do the interview face to face and it will be an individual and it will be structured questions. I want the interview to feel relaxed and be like a conversation between two colleges. I will ensure I use appropriate language and make sure the interviewee knows what the interview is being used for. I will research data on the literature of my inquiry and look into the government’s policies. I have chosen someone who works in my work place and has many years of experience and is currently studying education. I intend to do the interview on neutral ground which will be at the school in her classroom. I will make notes throughout and not record so it won’t intimidate my interviewee.

This is my structure for the interview.

1.       More than half of the late comers are summer born, how can this affect them in their learning?

2.       The age children start school is 4-5 in the UK and is different depending in the countries law. It has never been proven as to why there are any benefits to this. What could be the positives for a child to start later than the age of 5?

3.       89% September, 10% January, 1% April. As shown the majority start in September in reception. To save the minority falling behind others why do you think the government have given this choice in the first place?

4.       Statistics prove that children who enter school earlier than others immediately do better in tests. What methods can teaching staff use to try their best to make this not the case?

For my pilot survey I want people’s opinions and what they think. I will do it in a style of a questionnaire. I want to gather a wide range of answers so I will try to hand it to teachers from different year’s groups. I will try my best to ask parents, staff and other people who work with children in different settings. I will simply hand it to them and they can hand back to me when they wish.

This is my structure for my survey.

1.       Why do you think people feel 4 years old is too young for their child to start school, and therefore wait until their 5^th birthday? Does this affect the child and why>

2.       So some countries in Europe have their pupils attend school first at the age of 7, why do you think the UK has chosen 4-5? If any?

3.       Research tells me that 10,000 summer born children fail to achieve 5a*-c’s at GCSE’s. What are your initial thoughts on this?

4.       4. If you could make up your own laws on public schooling what age would the children start and why?

For my pilot focus group I want to do a group interview with people with the same interests so in my case I will choose my fellow colleges in my year group. As Bell comments “focus groups are more likely to include members who either have similar characteristics or experience… or are known to have a professional concern about and knowledge of the issues involved.” I feel it is important that the other people are just as keen and knowledgeable about the topic as am I. I want the group to feel comfortable and will do it casually on a lunch break in our staffroom and jot notes down. I will use as the spokes person who will trigger the questions. To manage it I will ensure were in a circle and everyone can be heard and seen. String personalities can be an issue so I will therefore direct some questions at certain people. I want to develop my inquiry and make people think of my topic. I want to make it relevant to others practise.

This is my structure for the focus group.

1.       How can we help the younger ones settle in?

2.       If we have children who start in January or April what do we do to get their learning up to the standards of others?

3.       Does having a long process to settle the summer/winter baby’s help or not?

For the pilot observation I will observe my class teacher. I will ensure I do a framework and show the teacher. They can be time consuming so I will do it when the time is best for the teacher. I will make sure I have permission and reassure that it will be confidential. I have chosen to observe the teacher when they’re doing what we call a plod activity. The teacher will sit with a child observe them and move the child’s learning on there and then. The child will be a summer born baby and the child would have been a child who settled in last and had the longer process. I will see the techniques of the teacher.

This is my stature for the observation.

1.       What does the teacher do to boost the child’s confidence and to help the child?

2.       How does the teacher adapt it for that child?

3.       What language does the teacher use?

 

 

A Brief Blog

I am in the process of doing my pilot tasks. I have read through reader 6 jotted down some notes and will be carrying out these questions as soon as. I also did some research to get some facts for my questions and have logged it all for my final inquiry.
Wish me luck.. On i go......