Memo 8

Memo 8

Data Tool 1: Teacher Journal

The teacher journal has been an incredibly useful research tool, especially since it was implemented before the start of the study. The teacher journal contains all observations, notes, thoughts, and feeling from daily experiences in the classroom. This journal provides a place for tensions to evolve and come to life, which has provided insight into which topics to research. Furthermore, the teacher journal has also provided guidance on intervention activities and questions. When using the teacher journal, I need to make sure I put my biases aside and state the facts instead of using it as a platform for emotional venting.

Data Tool 2: Observation

Observations are a handy tool, especially since observations can be made for any situation. For this research though, observations have been made for two situations: daily interactions between students and during empathy inventions. The observations are helpful because they can show levels of student behavior that student discourse can’t. For instance, if a student is talking about empathy and their body language is tense, I can assume that the student is uncomfortable, even though they are openly expressing themselves. Making observations of students during daily interactions has gone well, however, observing students during the invention has not. I have been too involved in the conversations and need to step back so I can make correct and clear observations.

Data Tool 3: Student Discourse

Student discourse is an excellent data tool because it breaks down the conversations between students. This tool has been incredibly helpful in providing a direct source for understanding how students feel about and express empathy. Like observations, I need to improve on tracking student discourse during empathy interventions. Again, I am too involved in the conversations and need to distance myself, so I can take valid notes. I find that if I miss what a student said I end up skipping it entirely which is a loss of data.  

Data Tool 4: Brief Interpersonal Reactivity Index (B-IRI)

The B- IRI questionnaire is a brief survey that measures the level of empathy in four categories: emotional concern, perspective taking, personal distress, and fantasy. This survey was used to measure the average starting level of empathy of the class. The survey will be administered two more times to track if the average empathy of the class is changing due to the interventions. Hopefully, the survey results match the results of the observations, student discourse, and teacher journal. I will know for sure as I gather more data.

Data Tool 5: Interview

The interview has been used to assess student feelings and ability to perspective take. This tool so far has provided a rich amount of data, simply because it is a one-on-one interaction and students feel more comfortable talking openly. As I interview, I need to make sure I ask enough follow-up questions. I have been noticing that I am trying to stick to a script and instead need to be more fluid.