The main idea behind all of the sources is that there is more meaning behind life and things than we think. We tend to have biased opinions towards certain things and that stops us from seeing what else it offers or stands for. The first article by Berger, talks about how there is more to photography and photos than we see. This is the case as we only see what is in the picture or frame, we do not see what is left out of the photo. This does not mean what is left out is not important or not as important as what is in the frame. The second article by Vilhauer refers to dialogue- play and how someone should be willing to hear something different from what they already believe or think. There is more so something than we think or believe. Vilhauer goes on to agree with a philosopher stating that someone has to be open to new meanings and understandings, even if they do not necessarily agree with it. The philosophers in the film then go on and talks about what it means to know certain things, as well as what it means to understand those certain things. The film goes on to state how the human mind cannot be certain of things they understand because it is based on social norms and what we are taught to understand. There is a larger reality out there, but as a result of our society, we only see things to a certain point. The film then gives an example and talk about knowledge and how important it is to be openminded because “life is made most meaningful when you respond to meanings independent of yourself”. This movie is related to Berger’s article as both life and photos/pictures have more to them than what is being showed or understood. Humans only have a small portion of the meaning to life and there is so much more than we understand or know. 

When picking a research question, it is important to choose one that you are interest in. For me, I have always wanted to be a teacher, so my research questions have to do with teaching. One of the research questions I was looking into was whether or not children will perform better on a test from learning the information outside in nature or inside a classroom. The children would be tested immediately after the class lesson and I would have many different sample groups of all ages and genders. Not only will I be looking at the test scores and comparing that to if they were outside or inside, I will be observing the children when they are learning the lesson. If another teacher is teaching the children, and it is my job to analyze the information and observe. In Vilhauer’s article it is mentions that “he must be willing to hear something different from what he already thinks, test his own prejudices, risk himself and his prior understanding, become aware of his own biases, and allow himself to be affected by new meaning” (78). It is important that I do not allow the research question to block what I am observing. Just because I think the results will go one way, I have to be open with the idea that it will go another way. I have to be open to new ideas and theories when I am observing as that will help my research question succeed. 

If my sample information is a photograph of the students learning, it is hard to observe the photo because parts can be left out. I am not able to see everything that is going on outside. I won’t be able to see if there is a flock of birds flying overtop, or a couple of squirrels running in front of the kids. These situations may be happening out of the cameras view so I won’t be able to see it. I will not be able to give a fair observation because I cannot see what the kids are getting distracted by or even if they are being distracted. If I was present during the lesson being taught, I would be able to study the kids, see if they are being distracted, and what exactly is distracting them. Even if a video was taken of the kids when they are learning, I would still only be able to see what is happening in frame. I would only be able to get half of the information. I would be able to see if the kids are distracted or paying attention, but I might not be able to see what exactly is distracting them. This is where Vilhauer’s view comes into play, where we should be willing to hear something different from what they already believe or think. If I only observe from a photo, I may only observe in a way I was previous taught to think and not in a way that would expand my observation and knowledge. 

While photographs may be useful for many research questions, it is not the best for mine. Worst case scenario I could use it, but it would not be the best. With photographs, you cannot see everything. You cannot see what is going on outside of the frame. It would be best if I was there in person so I could get all the information I needed to complete my research. This way there is no limit to what I am seeing, but I have to be careful I am not observing with a biased opinion. I have to be careful I am not using the social norms I have always known, and I am trying to observe with unbiased eyes. However, observation has its faults as well. When watching a video or looking at a photo, you can look at it as many times as you want. When you are observing something, you are only able to look at it once. While observing the students, I might miss something big because I was focusing on another student or situation. I am not able to “rewind” what happened and look at it again, it is gone forever, and I cannot get it back. That is why I think it is important to have both when completing my research. This way if I forget something or did not see something, I am able to look back at the photos or videos.