One more focus group

I think next week will be the last focus group. I want to ask some questions about cultural genocide. I am thinking to ask about the most underprivileged students and simply explain the effects of cultural genocide with out using the term and ask if DD and GT see any of those things in their students. I may even completely remove race from the issue initially. Just ask about the effects of cultural genocide and ask if they see those effects and in whom and why they think that is happening. I'll actually explain what cultural genocide is at the end of our discussion and ask about whether or not they think that it is possible that this has effected some of their students. I had a really good idea to play back recordings of CDR's class which we all taught actually and have a nice long discussion about what DD and GT think about that whole situation. Now THAT would be interesting because I know that a bunch of those students have exactly the issues I have been pondering. I could use that as a reason to ask about that population specifically and have GT and DD reflect on how they have handled situations like that and what they attribute all of it to. I think I should revisit those recordings on Saturday and put together some questions that get at the cultural genocide issue. That may lead me to some ideas about how to code those data.

New Direction Same Old Problems

Yesterday's meeting was really helpful. I'm glad I recorded it with my livescribe. I have decided to incorporate cultural genocide as a lens to really bring things together for me conceptually. I have to think of it in terms of coding. So I think over the next two weeks I will meet with Alex and get him to help me with making the connection between cultural genocide and discursive identity. It seems intuitive to me. But I know I need to explain it really well. I might want to double back and revisit Bernstein. Bloomfield definitely has the students I want to write about, but I have to schedule some classroom visitations I think. I need to sit in the back of the room in their worst classes and record. I think that is all I am missing thus far. I'm going to have a closer listen at what I've got and talk to GT about whether he has any really challenged students. I think I have an idea of who I want to observe. I have two more teachers to talk to. I may be able to observe one of them over the summer! Woo hoo. We're working at a summer program together. I actually think I'll start with my recordings and Dan's. This Saturday I'll drive out to New Brunswick and get started. I still have readings to complete in genocide studies. If I can complete those before Saturday and print out my lit review, I would be off to a good start. Off we go...