Module 5 Case Study:
The Case
In order to better understand the literacies and practices of your discipline, you will conduct a short interview with an expert in your field. You could contact a professor, a K-12 teacher, or someone with a job related to your field. If you cannot meet in person, consider a Zoom interview. If you are having trouble finding a person to interview, you might partner with someone in your discipline and interview someone together.
The Questions
Your questions might differ depending on who you interview. For example, some questions are only relevant if your expert also teaches. Using questions from the list below or writing your own questions, design an interview that included a minimum of five questions.
Questions to Choose From
What does “literacy” mean to you and to your discipline? How does your definition of “literacy” differ from other disciplines?
How important is “literacy” within your discipline?
What are some important practices that experts in your discipline must do well? Why are they significant in your discipline?
How do experts in your discipline represent information/knowledge/expertise?
What early skills are important for later success in your discipline? Why?
How do your students’ attitudes and identities as artists/mathematicians/athletes/musicians/historians/scientists/etc. impact their ability and motivation to learn in your classroom?
What are activities/lessons/steps you have taken to support and improve your students’ literacy skills?
Other ideas/thoughts that you can share with future educators in your discipline as it relates to literacy development.
Interview Details
Take notes during your interview. Try to capture the gist of what your interviewer says but don’t worry about transcribing everything word-for-word. If you have permission from your interviewee, you might record your interview. This will be helpful to return to as you reflect. If you are interviewing via Zoom, you can record the Zoom and Zoom will automatically produce a transcript. This might also be useful.
Submission Details
Read the grading rubric in detail (click on the three dots in the upper right-hand corner to display the rubric).
Summarize your interview and reflect on what you learned by talking with this person. Length should be around 300 words.
Note: Based on your work in this class, you might have a different definition of “text” and “literacy” that the person you spoke with. That’s okay!
Once you post your response, you will be able to view your peers’ responses. Please read others’ case study responses and respond thoughtfully to at least one. Offer a substantive contribution – – – go beyond “I agree, good job!”
