Discusses types of culture, levels of acculturation, and ethnic identity among various Indian groups in the Southeast. Argues that these groups have perpetuated their distinctiveness and strengthened their political identities as Indians through processes of modernization, and that the recent acquisition of modern political and business acumen has…

Provides a transcript of a dialogue between two researchers concerning their experiences as collaborative ethnographers. Describes some of the positive and negative benefits of collaborative work. (HB)

Discusses factors which lead to attrition from adult distance learning courses. Learning barriers included situational, institutional, dispositional, and epistemological factors. Comparisons between persisters and withdrawals are presented, and the study's impact on future distance learning programs is discussed. (Contains 26 references.) (SLW)

Uses ethnographic materials of the past 150 years to examine the visionary traditions of Native Americans of the Great Plains. Presents a Native American worldview in which dreams and visions represent contacts with primordial sources of empowerment and knowledge and play a creative role in the formation and maintenance of cultural values. (SV)

The pessimistic conclusions of studies of vocational education/training conducted within a framework of reproduction theory contrast with the policy literature's faith in the promise of a high trust/high skill society. The transformation of society and social relations is unlikely to occur in a capitalist system. (SK)

Applies techniques of conversational analysis and sociolinguistics to provide an ethnographic account of a mediation in Thailand. (48 references) (LB)

Models of ethnographic research in education treat context in an arbitrary way, and the theory of language used is inadequate. However, a discourse analysis framework can be useful in improving qualitative research in education by relating accounts of specific sites and events to their social contexts. (27 references) (MSE)

Argues that U.S. writing instruction is grounded in essayist literacy, which is disadvantageous to minority students. Proposes clarifying the characteristics of this mode and learning about other styles of discourse. Presents a conceptual framework influenced by ethnography. (HB)

Describes a case study of the views of three Sunday school teachers. Reports that the teachers' attitudes on faith and educational goals differed. Discusses ethnographic research and how it should be used in religious education. Reviews some of the promises and problems of ethnographic research in religious education. (SG)

Describes how educators at one Navajo community school are transforming assumptions about schooling for indigenous groups from a deficit model to one that views bilingualism, biculturalism, and multiculturalism as assets to be tapped. Bases the discussion on a long-term ethnographic study of the changes brought about through the implementation of…

This article identifies key issues in gender communication including gender as a primary social category; how to best understand gender; the role of gender stereotypes in communication; and socially created gender differences. Ethnographic research methods are seen to be particularly appropriate for investigating gender communication. (DB)

Examines corporate videos as cultural texts, claiming that they function as rites and ceremonials in modern organizations that facilitate organizational socialization. Notes that video-enacted rites can be a valuable tool in communication ethnographies. Defines and analyzes four types of rites: integration, passage, renewal, and enhancement. (SR)

A framework for identifying information regarding workplace communication requirements is presented that assumes communication involves sign systems as well as spoken and written language. Research with suburban supermarket checkout operators indicates that communication is deeply embedded in the social context. (Contains 18 references.) (LB)

Describes a teacher's journey toward creating authentic assessment and how it matches the instruction in her classroom. Suggests that the process of documenting the students' stories about learning and reflecting upon them has the potential to solve some of the difficulties with testing, evaluation, and assessment. (RS)

A case study of the use of ethnographic approaches in community organization and development demonstrates their utility in achieving health empowerment among communities of color. The importance of citizen participation in community-based health initiatives is stressed. (SK)