When developing a research question or proposal, it is important to think about the issues or problems that may come up during the process. It is important to think about who it will hurt, or whose life it might alter. It is almost impossible for research not to alter something. One has to be very careful, especially when working in nature and the outdoors. 

In the previous modules, we are taught that there is more to life than we know. We tend to only think with what we know, and we do not expand our knowledge which results in us being closed off. In the film Banks is having to experience this idea about how there is more to life than she knows because she has to try and communicate with these aliens. This can be related to my sample research question as there might be something bad that pops up and I will try to expand my knowledge and fix the solution. On the day I have to do my outside experiment, it might start raining. This typically may be a problem as the kids cannot be in the rain. I will then have to create a new procedure, expand past my knowledge and come up with a solution, talk to others, and figure out how I am going to solve this problem. For the new procedure, I may have to go to the undercover area, that I still outside, but will protect the children from the rain. I think this will really help the research question as the rain holds a high chance of distracting the kids. The rain may be very loud and it may be hard to have someone speak over it. 

We also learned that not everything is what we think it is. In the film, the humans automatically think that the aliens are here to “hurt them” or that their motive to be on earth is not good. This is the same with the other exercises we have done in class. While looking at the artwork, we do not know everything that is going on in the picture. We may think it means one thing (such as the aliens wanting to hurt the humans), but it actually means something else (the aliens actually need the humans help). In this film, we also learn how important it is to talk to others about a problem. During the film, it is revealed to us that all the different countries must talk to one another to figure out why the aliens are there and what they want. This could be the same for my sample research question. If I am faced with an issue, it is good to be able to talk to other people to try and come up with a solution. This way I am trying to broaden my knowledge by allowing someone else’s knowledge to help me. 

My research question easily connects to the presentation by Cindy Charleyboy. In her presentation she talked about how she would often go into the wildness and completely disconnect from the world. She would use this time to reflect on her life and look for some direction on what she should do. This related to my research question about if children learn better outside. Cindy is learning from the outdoors and so can the children. The wilderness calms down Cindy and I think it could do the same for the children. If the children are calmer, they could have a higher chance of learning the material better. However, with learning outdoors, some concerns also emerge that one would have to look for. 

One of the biggest concerns to take into consideration is that I may be teaching on aboriginal land. It would be very important to go to the specific band, talk to the elders, and get permission to teach on their land. I would not want to disrupt anything or make anyone mad. In Charleyboy’s presentation, she talked about how mine companies want to mine on her bands land. They have gone to court many times to stop it, and every time they have won. Their reason for stopping the mining is because it will harm the environment. I do not want this to be the case for me. I want to be able to get their approval and assure them that my study will not change, alter, or damage the environment. I will follow any requests they may have and make sure my study does not affect their lives. If they deny my study, I will simply find another location to do it and respect their decision. 

Imaging my project gains attention and has an influence over governmental policy making. There are a few ways I foresee myself caring about the problems my project may bring to the worldview of the native local people or other cultures from elsewhere. Firstly, I will assure everyone that the area and land used will not be altered in anyway. There will be no garbage left, no branches torn off leave, and nothing “moved” to make room for the class and me. We will not be destroying anything. Secondly, I will ask the local natives if there is anything, I can do to assure them that nothing will happen to their land. It is my priority to keep them and the environment happy.  Lastly, I will reassure the general public that the children will be kept safe. Many people may be concerned with the fact we are going into the wilderness, and that there might be wild animals or other factors that could hurt the children. I will provide a map of exactly where we would going and that area will not be very far into the forest. The children’s safety is my number one priority. After taking all of these concerns into consideration, I hope to have a very successful research study with no speed bumps in the way.