I just finished typing my interview draft. I already have some of my observations set up. I am currently looking for more articles to read. I'm trying to collect more research before the first draft of the research paper is due.
I need to finish fixing my survey questions. I would like to have them prepared by Thursday afternoon. I hope to use it in Nova on Friday. That's all. It's 1:20 am, and I am tired.
Observation Notes
I walked passed Ken 456* and saw Professor X**. Curious as to how his classes are, I pushed Karen to the open door. She walked inside and quietly asked Professor X if we could sit in and observe the class. He agreed. We walked into the quiet room.
We sat in the middle row on the chairs at the farthest left. I chose that seat because there were none in the back and since the professor was more towards the right side of the room, I could conspicuously observe the other students while it would seem I was looking at the professor.
This observation was objective in the sense that I did not affect my observation. I sat like any other student in that class and took notes, only not on what the professor was talking about, but on what was happening.
I only brought a pen and paper because that is what most people bring to class, and it was the only thing I had with me at the time. I used a sheet of paper and pen to record my notes. I sat just like everyone else, focusing on my paper and pen, just like the others. I wanted to blend in with the other students so that my presence wouldn’t be as obvious.
I first focused on the students’ expression while we walked in “late” and sat down. Some didn’t notice because they were using their phone. Others just glanced up at us. As soon as I sat down, the professor began calling out names of the students so that they could pick up their exams. He emphasized an Italian sounding last name and smiled. The student took his test from the professor’s hand and said “figures.” It was quite audible so I thought it was interesting to hear a student complain so loudly.
When the professor expressed that the entire class did poorly on the exam because they did not have their books, the students looked around, trying not to make eye contact. Some glanced at their phones. Next, students began turning in papers due. One guy in a blue shirt and a pink hat bowed at the professor as he turned it in.
The classroom was fairly warm, however the desks were cold, which felt good. A phone buzzed. The professor walked around the room, making eye contact with the students. There was one student in particular who kept texting. When the professor would stand next to him, he would stop texting. However when the professor was on the other side of the room, although he was looking at that student, the student kept on texting. Another student kept scratching his ears. All students were taking notes. All you could hear is the squeaking of chairs and the turning of pages. The professor’s right hand was twitching as he walked back and forth. Once we stood up to leave the class, the professor smiled as we mouthed thank you.
My observations gave me what I wanted. It gave me insight as to how the professor runs his class and how students respond in this environment. I found that the professor changes his tone according to what he is saying. It lowered for more sensitive areas and became stronger when emphasizing an injustice or a point. The students gave him attention with the exception of one or two students.
*Room number has been changed.
**Name has been changed.
We sat in the middle row on the chairs at the farthest left. I chose that seat because there were none in the back and since the professor was more towards the right side of the room, I could conspicuously observe the other students while it would seem I was looking at the professor.
This observation was objective in the sense that I did not affect my observation. I sat like any other student in that class and took notes, only not on what the professor was talking about, but on what was happening.
I only brought a pen and paper because that is what most people bring to class, and it was the only thing I had with me at the time. I used a sheet of paper and pen to record my notes. I sat just like everyone else, focusing on my paper and pen, just like the others. I wanted to blend in with the other students so that my presence wouldn’t be as obvious.
I first focused on the students’ expression while we walked in “late” and sat down. Some didn’t notice because they were using their phone. Others just glanced up at us. As soon as I sat down, the professor began calling out names of the students so that they could pick up their exams. He emphasized an Italian sounding last name and smiled. The student took his test from the professor’s hand and said “figures.” It was quite audible so I thought it was interesting to hear a student complain so loudly.
When the professor expressed that the entire class did poorly on the exam because they did not have their books, the students looked around, trying not to make eye contact. Some glanced at their phones. Next, students began turning in papers due. One guy in a blue shirt and a pink hat bowed at the professor as he turned it in.
The classroom was fairly warm, however the desks were cold, which felt good. A phone buzzed. The professor walked around the room, making eye contact with the students. There was one student in particular who kept texting. When the professor would stand next to him, he would stop texting. However when the professor was on the other side of the room, although he was looking at that student, the student kept on texting. Another student kept scratching his ears. All students were taking notes. All you could hear is the squeaking of chairs and the turning of pages. The professor’s right hand was twitching as he walked back and forth. Once we stood up to leave the class, the professor smiled as we mouthed thank you.
My observations gave me what I wanted. It gave me insight as to how the professor runs his class and how students respond in this environment. I found that the professor changes his tone according to what he is saying. It lowered for more sensitive areas and became stronger when emphasizing an injustice or a point. The students gave him attention with the exception of one or two students.
*Room number has been changed.
**Name has been changed.
Back home
I conducted my first interview at the SouthEastern Writing Center Association in North Carolina. Dr. Beth Burmester agreed to take the time to speak with me. She shared some of her experiences as a tutor. I plan on interviewing some tutors as well as directors. I finished my survey drafts for the tutees and tutors. I hope to get some feedback and finalize the survey before sending it out. That's all for now. I will post soon!
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