Focus Groups

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DTLLS
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Advantages

• More sociable than a one-to-one interview
• Raises unexpected issues for exploration
• Low cost, can get results relatively quickly
• Increases the sample size by talking with several
  people at once

Source http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focus_group
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Disadvantages

• Less control than one-on-one interview
• Time can be lost on irrelevant issues
• Tough to analyse talking is in reaction to
  other group member comments
• Groups are variable and may be difficult to
  assemble
• May be too few members for a representative sample

Source http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focus_group
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Preparation

• Ice breaker 1 question
• Structure 2
• Process 2
• Outcome 3

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Our Focus Group

• Sample 2 (male)?
• Setting quiet classroom
• Duration 15 mins (approx.)?
• Prepared questions 8
• Recording method notes debrief
• Notes to include body language

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Results

• Structure (a) Is pace of topics ok?
• Variety can help, focus is appreciated
• Discussion fosters inclusivity
• Different ideas from different people
• Structure (b) Topics build progressively?
• Not taken up by group

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Results

• Process (a) Preferred delivery medium?
• Mixture is important
• Prefer Powerpoint to be limited
• An interesting aside about ppt v ohp
• Process (b) Medium least liked?
• In moderation, all ok

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Results

• Outcome (a) Does DTLLS inform your TP?
• Affirming, boosting confidence
• Professionally, vocabulary is important
• Enables discussion of concepts
• Outcome (b) Do essays clarify consolidate?
• Yes, more conscious of lesson design

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Results

• Outcome (c) Is essay word limit ok?
• Encourages focus on topic
• Boundary/guidance appreciated
• Although restrictive, does stop waffle

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Results

• Body Language Observation
• Normally video-recorded
• Analysed carefully
• We used hand-written notes debrief
• Very relaxed (familiar participants)?
• Deferential, consultative, amiable
• Consistent throughout

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Micro Conclusions

• High degree of satisfaction
• Varied delivery is valued
• Social aspect is valued
• Topic progression may be undervalued

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The Overall Experience

• Even a small group was productive
• Unexpected tangential results!
• Real time observation of body language
• was difficult, even with small group
• Rapid execution analysis
• Our results completely text-based
• No maths!

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