I have spent these last two weeks interviewing my participants. It began somewhat slow because middle school students can be very forgetful. I had a few interviews scheduled before school that some my participants forgot about. I had to reschedule interviews for after school or during school. I was not expecting to reschedule my interviews so often and I did not take into account that they may forget their interview date and time. This has altered my original time line. After completing all 6 interviews this week I have seen a common theme, most of my participants have some stereotypical views of Latin America. Some of these stereotypical views involve food from Latin America (tacos and burritos), money (all of Latin America use pesos), and people (anyone with a dark complexion and accent are from Mexico). I also see that TV and popular chain restaurants play a role in these stereotypes. Another problem I have encountered is the response from my participants e-mail pals. They have not received a response from the Colombian students. I may not be able to use their e-mail exchanges as part of my data if they don't receive responses soon.
Although some of my participants forgot about their original interviews, they have been very cooperative and are excited to participate. They feel very important and are interested in what is coming next. After completing these interviews, I am able to invision how this study will procede and I believe I will see an impact on my participant's cultural awareness by using different types of technology.
Kristen Clark
Comments (6)
Nice work Kristen. Don't be discouraged by the involvement level of the international students. I think that it is outstanding that you are collaborating across boarders. If anything can break your students stereotyping behavior it is real relationships.
Posted by Jason Mammano | March 21, 2009 7:19 PM
Posted on March 21, 2009 19:19
Students will be students, I too have had some difficulty with students keeping appointments or being late. I commend your reasearch changing sterotypes that have been embedded may be difficult. I agree with Jason about creating relationship with international student. I hope the get in the game soon :) and good luck with everything.
Posted by Scott Heavner | March 21, 2009 10:51 PM
Posted on March 21, 2009 22:51
The true joys of middle school, every event is an earth shattering crisis, until the problem is forgotten the next day. I'm impressed that you were able to get that many interviews done. I think what you've mentioned so far is great, it sort of gets at the Disney version of history. In Disney there is usually not a lot of gray area, it is usually very easy to tell right from wrong, and good from bad. So it's not too much of a surprise that the same sort of simplification happens when the average American teenager tries to cope with the multitude of cultures in Latin America. I will close with my own generalization- middle schoolers (and most of us adults)are at the center of our own world, and it takes a lot to pull us out to see the big picture. As Jason and Scott already stated, changing stereotypes is a tall order, but it is very important for all students to gain a sense of the world as it is, and not as they might like it to be. Best of luck with your research and opening the minds of your students.
Posted by Jeff Kitchen | March 22, 2009 4:38 PM
Posted on March 22, 2009 16:38
Kristen, isn't it interesting how our society can move students into thinking and acting a certain way. I guess you are getting first hand experience on this. One of the things that we as teachers can do is to teach them the truth about our society. I think this is what it sounds like you are doing. Keep working, I think the students will get alot out of it.
Posted by Scott Harrill | March 23, 2009 6:20 AM
Posted on March 23, 2009 06:20
Dealing with forgetful students can be a nightmare. It was hard enough to make a it all fit. I hope you hear from the Colombian students soon. I feel their input would be very valuable.
Posted by Shannon Mosteller | March 23, 2009 10:46 AM
Posted on March 23, 2009 10:46
Even if you don't get the international side, you can still use the data that you are collecting to come up with even more strategies! The fact that the data is confirming what you suspected is very important.
Posted by Alecia Jackson | March 25, 2009 3:27 PM
Posted on March 25, 2009 15:27