How to Be an Explorer of the World: Creative and Artful Provocations to Qualitative Pedagogy

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 9:50 am Four Seasons Ballroom 4
  In Roundtable Session: Contemporary Explorations in Teaching and Learning Research Methods (Table 2)

Abstract

This paper examines the use of the text “How to be an Explorer of the World” by Keri Smith (2008) as a pedagogical strategy in an introductory qualitative research course. Incorporating this text, which encourages curiosity, artfulness, and wonder in engagements with data and inquiry encourages students to linger in the intersections between theory and method. This paper draws on data from 6 semesters of students taking an introductory qualitative research course, as well as extended reflections from a student from one of these courses (AuthorD, [who took the course in Fall 2020]), and from the instructor of the course (AuthorF). We conclude with considerations for other qualitative inquirers - both teachers and students, for incorporating this strategy in their teaching.

Authors

• Maureen Alice Flint, University of Georgia

• Amanda Brady Deaton, Georgia Connections Academy