The 'Click' Experience

In reading the article on Observational Techniques, I find that perhaps we are being drawn in so closely to the methods of Lofland et al that the verisimilitude of the article draws us to a convincing outcome that observations are accurate and plausible. Each method and critique appears credible and without disparity causing the neophyte to jot down every word and method as to not make any errors. The criticisms discussed shows how observations can have errors in the case of validity. It’s like an advertisment on Super Bowl Sunday wanting us to purchase Diet Pepsi because of its new logo. The soda is the same, but the observation of the ads and logo can suggest that it’s fresh and innovative.

But as the article progressed, the idea of how the observation should develop and the strategies became more apparent and interesting. Where at first I thought the observers were manipulating the observation, I now see where the technique and style of the procedure resulted in the compilation of facts. The idea of overt and covert seemed simple once it was put into context. After reading the article, I realized this is something we all do everyday in our jobs. If we didn’t observe our students behavior, we wouldn’t be able to assist the struggling student with worthwhile strategies. Being a part of the environment or simply watching depends on the project. Once again I struggle with my observation project. Approaching week number three, I will probably reconfigure what should be my research project. The idea of a dramaturgical perspective project intrigues me since middle school children have so many dramatic episodes in their day that helping to figure out why could help in their daily academic experience. The idea of observing interaction with ethnomethodology coincides with the teaching profession. If teachers and others in the human development areas used the observation methods discussed, there could be more successes in the classroom and less frustrations. Instead of teachers glorifying in the teachable “a-ha!” moment, we’ll be like Carol Brooks Gardner and “look for the ‘Click’ experience!”