March 20, 2009

I’ve finished drafting the introduction and methodology of the research paper, which has been submitted for peer-review; I’m still awaiting a favorable response. Additionally, I’ve begun to create an overall paper structure and started working on three possible multi-genre writings: a graph chart, a news article, and a brief, which shall be utilized in the overall work.

March 13, 2009

I’ve begun to e-mail my surveys and awaiting response from the earlier mention universities, even the ones abroad, also I’m still trying to define viable times to conduct interviews with prospective candidates. Lastly, in light of the research conducted and attained data heretofore, I’ve begun drafting the introduction and methodology of the research paper for per-review.

March 6, 2009

Returned from Greensboro, North Carolina! The SWCA conference was truly helpful in furthering this research project. I’ve finished drafting the survey and I’m proceeding to upload it to www.surveymonkey.com for future emailing to a pre-screened tutor population. These tutors are located at Saint Thomas University (STU), Appalachian State University (ASU), and North Carolina A&T State University.

Additionally, I might even extend the research out to South America and Europe by contacting the tutor populations of: Andres Bello Catholic University (Universidad Catolica Andres Bello (UCAB)) located in Caracas, Venezuela; as well as, University of Barcelona (Universitat de Barcelona (UB)) in Barcelona, Spain.

February 27, 2009

I conducted my first interview. The findings were interesting and helpful in broadening the topic. Awaiting email e-mail confirmations from other interview candidates and preparing for SWCA 2009 conference.

February 20, 2009

Not much to report. This week I continued to conduct research and preparing for the Southeastern Writing Center Association (SWCA) conference in Greensboro, North Carolina.

February 13, 2009

I’ve begun to device what kind of observations should be conducted. These sessions will be – for the most part – ESL sessions one-to-one, and possibly of tutors who also work in group settings. In addition, I’ve started to device which method of recording data is less intrusive and most effective. (i.e. note taking, voice recording, video recording, etc…)

February 6, 2009

I’ve begun drafting the survey. This survey will be no more than ten questions, even thought I am currently at fourteen. Additionally, the interview questions have been finalized and I’ve begun to contact possible candidates for an interview, which I will do throughout the upcoming weeks.

January 30, 2009

I’ve begun drafting the proposed interview questions. Focusing on behavioral patterns and personal experiences of future interviewees; although, each interview will vary, I will attempt to maintain a certain format instead of improvising every interview.

STU Observation

1) I observed the Saint Thomas University campus with Jennifer. I thought that a quick observation of STU campus would be interesting because of the many interesting and amusing things that happen around campus.
2) Points of interested were:
a. KEN staircase;
b. Library;
c. Law School;
d. Law School cafeteria;
e. Omalia hall;
f. Front of KEN hall.
3) I was mostly objectively observing most of the occurrences of mundane life at STU, with slight involvement.
4)

Analysis

J.C. and I conducted a joint observation of campus. As we walked out of KEN 209B and headed down the stairs we saw a “caution - wet floor” sign, which should not have been there because the floor was not wet. As we reached the first floor we noticed paw prints on the floor, as if to say “BASIC this way stupid!” As we walked to the Library we noticed fellow classmates conducting their respective observations. As we walked into the library we saw an interestingly old looking bible and no one was watching ESPN. We walked out and towards the Law School were we got some coffee and noticed the tips jar had the word “thank’s” with – obviously – an apostrophe. JC and I walked back outside and saw the mother of the nation lost in deep thought while a group of people got attacked by a bee; oddly enough, the only guy in the group jumped and took off his shirt. Before the bee proceeded to attack us, we left. As we got to Omalia hall there was a person sleeping on a concrete block under 90 degree weather! We thought this person was dead! Lastly we got back to KEN.