With regard to educational income and school development technological progress offers increasing possibilities in the fields of knowledge transfer and classroom management. This is especially reflected in so called ‘iPad classes’ that were initiated at the ‘Realschule’. Those classes are part of a pilot experiment in the Bavarian mainstream system. According to the school’s website the desired advantages are, amongst others, fast availability in group work periods, reinforcing medial competence, individual learning and quick access to educational contents from the internet. I came to visit such classes during my first student internship in 2013. Now that a couple of years have passed I aim to find out in how far teachers and pupils think that it had been a good choice for them to take part in this project. Therefore, I am going to conduct interviews with both a participating teacher and two students. The interviews will cover advantages and disadvantages that come to the interviewees’ minds concerning the daily use of tablet computers at school as well as ideas the respondents have to keep improving the educational contact with innovative learning tools such as iPads. This research will be prepared, conducted and evaluated on a qualitative level.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1. The Aim of this Term Paper
1.2. Structure
2. Theory
2.1. Conducting Interviews as a Means of Qualitative Study
2.2. Types of Interviews
2.3. Advantages and Disadvantages of Interviews
2.4. Recording Interviews
3. Developing the Interview Procedure
3.1. Preparation
3.1.1. Auxiliaries
3.1.2. Premises
3.2. Conduct
3.3. Evaluation
4. Practice
4.1. Briefing
4.2. Interviewing
4.3. Transcription
4.4. Evaluation
4.4.1. Summary
4.4.2. Analysis
5. Conclusion
5.1. Evidence
5.2. Reflection of the Practice
6. Outlook
Research Objectives and Topics
The main objective of this paper is to investigate the experiences and opinions of teachers and students regarding the integration of iPads in a Bavarian middle school's pilot project, specifically focusing on perceived benefits and challenges in classroom instruction.
- Integration of tablet computers in the mainstream school system
- Comparison of qualitative perspectives between students and teachers
- Methodological approaches to qualitative interviewing and transcription
- Analysis of advantages (e.g., weight reduction, motivation) and disadvantages (e.g., technical issues, distraction)
Excerpt from the Book
2.1. Conducting Interviews as a Means of Qualitative Study
Conducting qualitative interviews is a widely recognized approach to gathering information about an individual’s circumstances and thought patterns. “By using interviews, the researcher can reach areas of reality that would otherwise remain inaccessible […]” such as the respondents’ opinions and knowledge. Interviews on a qualitative level can reveal the “invisibility of everyday life”. In his article on different varieties, planning, conducting and evaluating of qualitative interviews Matthias Trautmann states that there are various procedures regarding data collection. What these procedures should have in common is that individuals are to undergo oral surveys concerning a certain object of research. The indicated surveys must be subject to certain quality criteria in order to be classified as scientific. Usually, interviews are labelled ‘qualitative’ when the involved scientists seek to reconstruct subjective views, everyday processes or latent social patterns. It is furthermore essential for the interviewees to be accessible and sincere and for the interviewers to be as unbiased as possible and reflexive in terms of their own presumptions.
Interviewers aim to “[…] carry on a guided conversation and to elicit rich, detailed materials that can be used in qualitative analysis”. However, the manner in which interviews are being conducted contributes “[…] to some extent to the ‘depth’ of response sought”. Whether one chooses to take advantage of a structured, semi-structured or unstructured interview form, the decision engenders which type of information may be spotted. Colin Robson points out that the question focus is essential for the interviewees’ respective answers. One needs to be clear about whether wanting to concern facts, behavior or beliefs and attitudes. As for this term paper, beliefs and attitudes seem most interesting, yet challenging to ascertain, as mindsets are complex and manifold.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the motivation for the study, focusing on the pilot project of iPad classes at a Bavarian school and defining the research aim.
2. Theory: Explores the theoretical foundations of qualitative research, specifically addressing interview types, quality criteria, and methodological challenges.
3. Developing the Interview Procedure: Details the systematic planning, including equipment, interview venue, conduction strategies, and the intended evaluation approach.
4. Practice: Documents the actual interviews conducted with two students and a teacher, including the briefing, the interview execution, transcription process, and the comparative analysis of findings.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes the key insights gained, evaluating the school's goals against the lived reality and reflecting on the research process.
6. Outlook: Discusses the future of technological integration in the school system and acknowledges limitations of the qualitative interview method.
Keywords
Qualitative Interviews, iPad Classes, Digital Media, Classroom Research, Tablet Computers, Educational Technology, Media Competence, Student Motivation, Qualitative Analysis, School Development, Digital Natives, Interview Methodology, Teaching Methods, Information Literacy, Cross-case Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper examines the implementation and impact of 'iPad classes' as part of a pilot experiment within the Bavarian school system through qualitative research methods.
Which central topics are discussed in the work?
Key topics include the practical use of tablets in classroom settings, technical and pedagogical challenges, student and teacher attitudes towards digital learning, and the methodology of conducting and analyzing qualitative interviews.
What is the primary goal of the study?
The goal is to understand to what extent teachers and pupils perceive the integration of iPads as a positive contribution to educational practice and what advantages or drawbacks arise from their daily use.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The research utilizes qualitative interviews, involving a teacher and two students, followed by a cross-case analysis to compare perspectives and experiences.
What content is addressed in the main body?
The body covers theoretical interview types, the preparation and conduction of the specific school interviews, the transcription process, and the detailed comparative evaluation of the participants' feedback.
Which keywords define this paper?
Relevant keywords include qualitative interviews, iPad classes, digital media, classroom research, and educational technology.
How did the interviewees react to the iPad integration?
Both students and the teacher generally expressed high levels of satisfaction, citing increased motivation, better access to information, and reduced physical load, despite some technical and administrative hurdles.
What specific challenges are identified by the participants?
Challenges mentioned include server and WLAN issues, the complexity of licensing digital materials, the need for filter competence regarding internet content, and occasional distractions through games.
- Quote paper
- Leo Decher (Author), 2016, Qualitative Interviews. Conducting interviews as a means of qualitative study. Main types of interviews, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/379170
