ERIC Number: EJ987442
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1053-8259
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Demonstrating the Application of Q Methodology for Fieldwork Reporting in Experiential Education
Pruslow, John T.; Red Owl, R. H.
Journal of Experiential Education, v35 n2 p375-392 Spr 2012
Experiential education programs seek meaningful ways to connect field experiences to classroom instruction. To illustrate one way to make this connection, the authors drew on Q methodology, a systematic approach for identifying clusters of people who share common viewpoints. Q methodology was employed in a two-year demonstration project with graduate students in teacher education. Students were provided with a list of varied statements reflecting potential aspects of their fieldwork experiences and indicated their level of agreement or disagreement by sorting their responses on an online quasi-normal template. Q-factor analysis was then applied to develop models of shared field experiences from the card sorts. Those models were useful for whole-group and small-group discussions that systematized student reflections on, and interpretations of, their fieldwork experiences. The findings offer three principal ways that facilitators can implement Q methodology in an effort to help participants make more meaningful connections between the field and the classroom: one requires no electronic technology; a second is a free, automated program; and a third, more advanced approach uses standard statistical software. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)
Descriptors: Q Methodology, Experiential Learning, Field Experience Programs, Demonstration Programs, Graduate Students, Teacher Education, Factor Analysis, Discussion (Teaching Technique), Computer Uses in Education, Computer Software
Association for Experiential Education. 3775 Iris Avenue Suite 4, Boulder, CO 80301. Tel: 866-522-8337; Fax: 303-440-9581; e-mail: publications@aee.org; Web site: http://www.aee.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A