Tutor profile: Michele W.

With all of the misinformation out there and general information overload, how do I know if I am finding a legitimate source?

There are a number of indicators you can use to better understand the quality of the resources you find online or even through your library. Some very basic indicators include asking how current or recent the material is, is it from a reputable source like a professional organization, peer-reviewed journal, or open resource that has transparent review/vetting practices? You may also ask questions like is the creator an authority or expert on this subject? Looking for information including the purpose of the work can also be helpful. Webpages with numerous advertisements or broken link can be indicators of poorer quality resources. There are also freely available tools that are essentially crowdsourced, like Wikipedia, that can be useful when linked to other resources, but another question to ask as a reader is whether or not there are obvious or even subtle biases in the ways the resource is written, especially when anyone can edit it. These quick tips can get you started, but when in doubt, ask your librarian! They are there to help as a partner to work with you to appraise resources.

Given the challenges in public education, particularly in the last year during a pandemic, how can leaders make sure teachers are prepared for future demands with technology and other professional development resources?

The events of the last year in education were almost unimaginable even a few years ago, but the positive disruptions teaching in COVID have introduced could lead to improvements and personalization in education for all students. The education landscape has been disrupted and weaknesses in shifting to remote learning for many K-12 students in particular will take a few years of study to better understand, but it is already known that the digital divide and limited access to resources can be the biggest barrier. Parents need support and community, so attention to partnerships between the school and community will be key. The psychological safety of educators as well as better preparation for what the future holds with increased technology integration are a start, but ultimately, knowing the needs of individual students require teachers to approach the new educational landscape with a fresh perspective. Schools can support his with a culture of continuous learning and professional development efforts in technology integration, self-paced learning content, variety of media, and a better understanding of progress monitoring tailored to each learner.

Considering the variety of careers in the study of criminal justice, many of which are not necessarily research intensive, why should every student have a basic understanding of research methods?

Regardless of the type of agency or position, all criminal justice professionals need a working knowledge of how we know what we know about the study of crime, how to prevent or respond to it, and how to know if interventions have impact. Research methods can feel like another language, but this type of evidence, from studies about theories applied to understanding criminal acts, to the more practical aspects of the day-to-day tasks of policing or probation work, all originate in research. Further, every criminal justice professional should be able to articulate and justify needs. Research methods is one of the key places you learn to propose something new and back up your recommendations with years of scholarship and study. Research can seem complex, but that is what makes it exciting, too!