Ethnographic Reflection

I found this observation to be very enlightening in terms of how the student reacts to others and where the student feels most comfortable. I chose this student because of the perceived lack of reaction to and interaction with others in our ESL classroom. I had hoped to better understand the student after this observation and through the one on one interaction. This ethnographic study gave me the opportunity to observe the student in a different environment and foster a better understanding of who he really is. The observation went well and was very beneficial.

As a result of this fieldwork, I learned that this student has been being himself in our classroom, very timid. A noticeable difference was that he does offer some interaction with others our classroom and very little to those in his regular classroom. This shows me that he feels comfortable in our classroom. One of my most important goals is to make my ESL classroom a welcoming and safe place. This study shows that I have succeeded in that.

Ethnographic studies in the classroom are of great value. They allow the educator to discover who students are, what they are bringing to the classroom and their learning, and how to help these students succeed in learning. They give the educator the opportunity to step outside of their usual roles of being instructor and facilitator and to become the observer of and sounding board to students.

The information gained from this study will assist this student's future teachers meet his needs by allowing them to create learning opportunities that involve less cooperative and group activities and more individual student learning projects. This study also shows how important the classroom environment is to this student's learning. A safe and welcoming environment is crucial to this student's success in the classroom.