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Full-Text Articles in Education

Using Ethnography To Understand Twenty-First Century College Life, Constance A. Iloh, William G. Tierney Jan 2014

Using Ethnography To Understand Twenty-First Century College Life, Constance A. Iloh, William G. Tierney

Constance Iloh

Ethnography in the field of postsecondary education has served as a magnifying glass bringing into focus university culture and student life. This paper highlights the ways in which ethnography is especially useful for understanding more recent dynamics and shifts in higher education. The authors utilize existing literature to uphold the relevancy of ethnography, while exploring its opportunities for research on adult students, online education, and for-profit colleges in particular. They conclude with methodological recommendations and directions for both qualitative research and higher education scholarship.


Coherence, Contradiction And The Development Of School Science Identities, Stacy Olitsky, Linda Loman, Jessica Gardner, Markita Billups Jan 2010

Coherence, Contradiction And The Development Of School Science Identities, Stacy Olitsky, Linda Loman, Jessica Gardner, Markita Billups

Stacy Olitsky

This ethnographic study took place in a diverse eighth grade science classroom in an urban magnet school where students demonstrate significant variation in classroom achievement and participation. In this paper, we use an activity-theoretical framework to examine classroom events in order to identify and work toward reducing contradictions that can interfere with students developing positive school science identities. We discuss several contradictions for students in this classroom, including the conflicts between social and academic goals and the inconsistencies between science and math classes. We found that in situations where students could build and use social capital through learning science, they …


Korean American Cultural Differences In Classroom Literacy Activities: Observations From An Ethnographic Case Study., Heriberto Godina Phd, Jeonghee Choi Phd Jan 2009

Korean American Cultural Differences In Classroom Literacy Activities: Observations From An Ethnographic Case Study., Heriberto Godina Phd, Jeonghee Choi Phd

Heriberto Godina PhD

This study explores teacher-student perceptions about cultural differences and their influence upon classroom literacy activities. An ethnographic case method focuses on a Korean American student. Secondary participants include a parent, teacher, and classmates in a white Midwestern community. The study accentuates the generalizable discourse that neglects the complexity inherent to intercultural relationships in a changing elementary classroom. Implications include how multicultural children’s literature deemed appropriate for minorities can be problematically situated for effective instruction.