‘Research in Practice’ is the second class I’ve taken in my Teacher Librarianship (TL) course. I don’t think it is a common one to take so early in the sequence but I remember hearing another student say it was one of the most valuable and practical courses she took. As I plan to move into a TL position in 2021 I thought this sounded like a significant class to take early on.

I thought the practicality of this subject was that it would show me how to help students as they research (find information) for class assignments. I found this was not the purpose of the course at all (although I do think I will be far more able to help!).

The learning curve was very steep for me in the class as the information presented was all new to me and I had little to no prior knowledge to build on. I appreciated that I could both read the modules and listen to the weekly recording the professor sent around to help cement the knowledge in my mind.

Although there are many, the top 7 standout things I appreciated from this course were:

• “Research” means something very different in the academic world and not at all what teachers convey to students when they say we are going to go to the library to do some “research.”
• I think a lot about worldviews and how they affect how things are presented (like on the news). I love that professional research recognises this from the outset and acknowledges it. I feel like I can trust the research more when it is known and often stated from the outset that the researcher has views and beliefs about the function of the world and knowledge that will influence the final body of work.
• It was humbling to write my own research proposal for the final assessment after critiquing several articles for the previous assessment. I now read all research with a much kinder outlook!
• I have much more confidence in finding, reading and analysing research for the rest of my degree, my teaching career and personal life.
• I have several friends currently pursuing research for Honours Degrees, Masters or PhDs. I have a new interest and understanding of their work.
• If I were working in an academic library, I would understand how to help someone conducting research.
• I would feel more confident in pursuing my own research within my own teaching practice to analyse if any new strategies I employ are effective.

I agree with that student that I heard say this was a valuable and practical course to take. I am very thankful that I took this class early on in the course as it will have a positive effect on my current teaching practise and future classes.