For me, this is the hardest part of the entire I-Search journey because my options, for possible interviewees are limited. Last week, I sent out emails, arranging for possible meeting times, and I was lucky enough to hear back from some teachers. With that said, my first interview is actually scheduled for tomorrow, and I will be busy throughout the rest of the week with appointments with teachers. I was also lucky enough to find teachers that were willing to let me come and interview their students. As I have already mentioned, I sent out the emails early last week, and it took forever for these teachers to respond back to me. However, I am grateful to the ones that have responded back to me. I do not have that much to post on here but I will be doing a follow up post tomorrow, after my first interview. This past weekend I was extremely nervous because I thought I wouldn't be able to find teachers, but I'm a persistent one, so I went digging every possible place I could think of. Therefore, I am even more confident that I will produce something great. The thing I'm interested in the most, is to see if these interviews, and the responses I receive, will lead me in a new direction of my I-Search. I was also able to get teachers and students from different school districts for my interviews, so I'm hoping it will produce an array of different insights.
I have a very busy week ahead of me, with these interviews, but I am excited! Can't wait to put these teachers/students in the hot seat.
Here are my revised list of questions....Also, I was thinking that adding some questions to tailor the interviews, will be helpful. So, the following questions are subject to change; I'm not limiting myself to just these questions.
1. Do students learn better when they have the opportunity to
use modern day technology? If so, how do you implement technology in your
lesson plans?
I have a very busy week ahead of me, with these interviews, but I am excited! Can't wait to put these teachers/students in the hot seat.
Here are my revised list of questions....Also, I was thinking that adding some questions to tailor the interviews, will be helpful. So, the following questions are subject to change; I'm not limiting myself to just these questions.
Revised Questions for Teacher:
1. Do students learn better when they have the opportunity to
use modern day technology? If so, how do you implement technology in your
lesson plans?
2. How do the common core standards allow for the inclusion of
technology, in regards to writing?
3. How can writing digitally be more effective than pen and
paper writing?
4. How is writing implemented in your classroom? Have you
noticed technology in other classrooms, besides your own?
5. How do you think the digital age has changed the way
students learn to write? Is it effective?
6. Has technology made it easier or more difficult for ESL/ELL
in the learning of composition?
7. Has technology made it easier or more difficult to teach
ESL/ELL the composition of writing?
8. Does technology hinder or enhance research based writing
projects?
Alex,
ReplyDeleteFirst off I just want to say I LOL at the picture! I am happy to see you have scheduled your primary interviews and you seem very prepared. I did not realize how hard it would be to find teachers willing to sit down for an interview, I can relate. Good luck with your interviews and I am looking forward to reading about them!!
Oprah - Sorry, I mean Alex,
ReplyDeleteI'm a little disappointed to know there's no new car under my seat but I can forgive you for having a great blog. I was lucky enough to get in touch with a good amount of teachers from my school without an issue. However, it seems here that you've been persistent enough and scored some interviews which I find will be very rewarding. Whether or not it leads you in another direction I think surprises are good for this project. Heading in a new direction is an indication that you've gained new knowledge, and that is exciting! I'm eager to see what your interviews yield. You never know what might be going on inside the classrooms because let me tell you I for one was absolutely shocked to see how much had changed! Excited to see more, good luck!
http://i.imgur.com/Hwnpw.gif
ReplyDeleteYour Oprah gif reminded me of my all-time favorite Oprah gif, posted above, please enjoy.
I'm sorry to hear that you've had difficulties with teachers getting back to you. I found that some teachers avoid checking their inboxes more than RI drivers avoid using their turn signals. Still, you’ve had the time to draft some pretty interesting interview questions.
I’m particularly curious to see how teachers answer #3: “How can writing digitally be more effective than pen and paper writing?” I’m sure you’ll get a variety of responses from both the traditionalists and the new-age, techno-embracing teachers. It would also be interesting to learn about the science behind the mechanics of writing with pen on paper versus the clickity-clack of the keyboard writer (for example, if/how different parts of the brain are used when writing in each medium).
Alex
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean no car??!! :) I'm so happy to hear you were able to find teachers to interview! I can tell you really are looking forward to them. Your revised questions look good too. I specifically liked " How do you think the digital age has changed the way students learn to write? Is it effective?" I would love to hear from someone that has been teaching for a long time to see if they have seen a difference in student writing across the technology surge!! wishing you the best on interviews!!
Alex,
ReplyDeleteI feel that your blog posts are always well written and creative. Your voice really comes through on this post, and the humor that you used was captivating to say the least. You have a real skill for blogging!
It seems that many of us have experienced some delays with hearing back from teachers, but I'm glad that you were able to get some responses at least. I think it's great that you are open to heading in different directions with your research, and I feel that your final product will be better because of your openness. I hope your interviews went well, and I look forward to hearing more about your process! Keep up the good work!