On Monday, I completed Interview 1 with my four
participants. Here are the interview
questions which will be given three times throughout the research project:
I.
Do the reading response journals help you understand
the stories that we read during small group reading time?
II.
What do you like about reading response journals?
III.
What do you not like about reading response journals?
IV.
Should the rest of the class use reading response
journals? Why or why not?
Each interview with students proved to be a somewhat awkward
experience. I have a great relationship
with each of the participants and they are all very social individuals. During the interviews, all four were very
nervous and to the point. None wanted to
give any further explanation other than the basic answer. The following interview is with student ‘Blue.’
At 11:03, I invited Blue to join me in the center of the 2nd
grade complex at the assistant’s kidney table.
All classrooms were working independently on a writing assignment. The complex was quiet and there was very
little movement. I explained I was going
to ask him a few questions about RRJs; to tell me what came to mind; and there
was no right or wrong answer. I also
explained that I would be recording the discussion as well as taking notes, but
the recording would be deleted as soon as I listen to it and make sure I didn’t
miss any of his important comments. I
then gave him the list of questions to read before we began to help ease his
nerves because he had a terrified look on his face.
Interview start time- 11:06
I.
Do the reading response journals help you understand
the stories that we read during small group reading time?
Answer: Yes, they help me write
with lots of detail.
II.
What do you like about reading response journals?
Answer: We got to choose the colors
of the journals and they are a good way for us to learn.
III. What
do you not like about reading response journals?
Answer: It cuts into some of my
reading time because we have to do other questions too.
IV. Should
the rest of the class use reading response journals? Why or why not?
Answer: No- It is too much work for you to
write in them and it cuts into reading time.
Interview end time- 11:08
Throughout the entire interview, Blue talked quietly, had
a shaky voice, and did not make eye contact. At the conclusion I asked
him how he felt about me interviewing him and he quickly responded “I was very
nervous because I didn’t know what to say.”
I am now thankful I am conducting these interviews three times
throughout the process so by the time the end comes around, the participants
will feel more comfortable. I am also
wondering if tape recording was the underlying reason as to why they were all
so nervous. What are your thoughts? I know it is helpful to record the interviews
so I can go back and re-listen to them, but should I try round two interview
without the recording to see if the nerves disappear and the students feel more
comfortable talking with me?
I ran into this same problem that you are describing in your interview- with the students not really expanding on the questions. As I transcribed my interviews I noticed that it prompted me to ask more questions, which in turn had the students answering with a mere yes or no. I am thinking about having all of the students with me for lunch in the room together to discuss the questions for my next interview. But I'm not sure. I originally planned on interviewing 3 students and since some of the students didn't offer much in their interview I quickly pulled another 3 students that fell into the same categories I used to pick the first three. I'm not sure if the recording of it is what make your students nervous? I know in our reading from a few weeks back they suggested to have it be a fun thing like I mentioned, eating lunch with you or something like that to give it a more casual feel. You might want to try that! I know recording it was very beneficial for me, I was not able to write things as fast as the students spoke and when I transcribed the interviews I found myself shocked at how I didn't remember things the students had said. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I was wondering if it was the recording that caused the participants to be nervous too. But at the same time, even though they did not say a lot, I still liked being able to go back and listen to the recording. The recordings allowed me to hear the hesitations and my additional prompting, which I would not be able to record accurately otherwise. I think I will just try again for interview 2 and see if anything changes. If not, I will regroup for my final interview. Maybe some others will have advice for us on Wednesday too! Thank you for all of your helpful insight!
ReplyDeleteI definitely think the students get very shy when recording- audio or video- is taking place. Since you are giving it three times throughout the study, your participants will more than likely become even more comfortable and will talk a little more at length. Also, the questions you came up with are great! I am looking forward to reading about the progress your students are going to make.
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