"If description can be thought of as giving an account of, interpretation can be regarded as accounting for. . .To interpret is to place in context, to explain, to unwrap, to explicate. . .If descriptiondeals with what is, interpretation focuses upon why or how." -Eisner, 95,97,98.

*Required Readings and Activities

Module Two: Data Collection, Analysis and Interpretation

2.2 Interprets data by asking "why" and "what does this mean" and keeping field notes of emerging ideas

A. Readings: Clandinen, Chap 5, 6.

*Schwandt, Thomas, A. 1999. On Understanding Understanding, Qualitative Inquiry, Vol. 5, No. 4, pp 451-465.

 

B. Web and Other Links:

 

C. Discussion Starters/Reflective Journal Topics: (Choose one topic and start or continue a discussion thread.)

1. How can we figure out the answer to "why" someone might be doing something without asking them? Share a time where you totally misunderstood what you saw.

2.

 

D. Experiences/Activities:

1. Think of an object that has special significance to your family or friends. How would an observer figure out what it means to you?

**2. Read several pages of the 1937 teacher stories coding 2 different ways: a) by meaning - what is being said and b) why might this story be told or why would you tell this story and c) what does this story remind you of - write "your" story in the discussion board.

E. Portfolio Documentation:

1. Rewrite several 1937 teacher stories or other data, with a nice emphasis on "why". Attach a reflective journal sharing your thoughts as you tried to understand "why" someone did what they did.