"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.