Reflection 5 - Planning Efficiently

Planning effectively and efficiently can help you improve your writing skills when you are organized and execute time management. I am in a good place with my reference citations and using Mendeley as my reference manager. I hope to have about 80 citations in the next week or so, but I have to bury my father. I am a rollercoaster mess right now and pretty strong in my faith. It hits the heart when your father has been your mentor. We buried my sister-in-law about four months ago, and now Dad. However, I will persevere because he taught me that when challenges come and life throws you a curve ball. How are you going to respond?

I utilize the AI tool to search for Journals containing credible papers related to my research area. I am using a technology called Zotero, which our class lecturer introduced. Zotero is an excellent tool for discovering other documents related to your research. Once you select other references, it can help better guide you in synthesizing significant findings, evaluating issues and obstacles, and identifying gaps. One thing I am doing with my literature review is ensuring I am narrowing my research questions and scope to specific research on improving teachers' data literacy and pedagogical practices. It is essential to identify the issue or subject to be explored and the extent of the study. I have cut down my selection by focusing on crucial terms and concepts. The next step involves aligning theoretical frameworks through a multi-strategy and multi-case analysis methodology. 

Multi-case studies compare examples of the same thing happening in different settings to develop a theory or general statements. It could show teachers the problems and risks they face when they try to use data effectively and suggest ways to help them go from just using data for tests to using it in beneficial ways. A multi-case analysis could show how different and complicated teachers' data practices are and what makes them do what they do, like their views, knowledge, skills, and the limitations of the situation. I may need some help in the area of the multi-strategies approach so it is in alignment with the methodology and theoretical framework. I may need to collect qualitative data on teachers' self-efficacy or feelings about data literacy to help improve their teaching methods.

I feel confident about where I am with the citations and reviewing some articles. It's very intriguing, but I'm trying not to go down rabbit holes and waste time. It does take me a while to process my thoughts and concepts, so I am careful not to spend too much time on an article when I need to move on. I need to spend some time on the portfolio to get feedback. The great thing is that I have it up now. I need to upload the items and not worry about it being perfect. I feel like I can have it ready next week when I return. I plan to head down next week and review the portfolio site and get feedback, which should put me back on track. It means no TV or outside activity besides work for a few weeks.