Vocational and Academic Integration
On-Site Interview Guide
1. Date & Time:
__________________________________________________________
2. Vocational Program:
____________________________________________________
3. Interviewee Name:
_____________________________________________________
4. School Name & Location:
_______________________________________________
5. Interviewer:
___________________________________________________________
Directions
Mr./Mrs./Dr._______________________, the purpose of this research
project is to study teachers who have successfully integrated vocational and
academic subject matter in their own classes. Much has been made of more
complex integration projects and activities, but we feel that many worthwhile
individual integration activities have been overlooked. That is why we are
here. One of the major reasons you were chosen for this interview is that you
have indicated that you have been "integrating" in your teaching for ____
years. This obviously predates the "integration movement," therefore, we view
you as a pioneer in this area.
Above all else, we want you to speak your mind freely and without reservation.
With that in mind, I would like to assure that your responses will be kept
confidential. Would you mind if we recorded the interview?
With your permission, I'll turn on the recorder now.
First of all, I will ask you some general questions about vocational/academic
integration:
6. How aware are you of the so-called "integration movement?" Do you keep up
with the current writing on the subject? Do you consider yourself a part of
this "movement"?
7. What is your overall opinion of integration? Do you see it as good or bad?
What potential benefit does it have for (you/your students/your
program/vocational education in general)? What major problems do you see with
it?
8. How important is integration to instruction in your discipline? How much
integration do you feel is necessary in your discipline?
Briefly summarize respondent comments to this point.
Now, let's talk more specifically about your own experience with
integration.
9. Why have you attempted to integrate your courses? Can you recall any
specific person, event, or decision that initiated your integration?
10. Specifically, how do you integrate your own classes? (prompt for teaching
materials used, projects, and teaching methodology: What, Why, and
How)
Collect any materials available.
11. How do others impact on the way you integrate? How dependent are you on
others to facilitate your integration work?
a. administrators
b. other teachers
c. students
12. How has the integration movement affected what you do (e.g., recognition,
acceptance, invitations to inform others, and so on)?
13. What difficulties have you encountered along the way?
14. How well has your integration process worked? Can you provide examples of
specific student successes as an outcome of your integration process?
15. Right now, what do you most need to help you succeed with
integration?
16. Do you have anything else you would like to tell us?
Thank you very much. We would like to confirm some information about your
background and teaching experience.
17. Teaching Experience: _______ years 18. Administration: _______
years
19. Work Experience in Teaching Area: _______ years
20. Education (highest qualification):
_________________________________________
Many thanks for finding the time to talk to us. The information you have
provided will greatly assist in our understanding of teacher-initiated programs
that successfully integrate vocational and academic subject matter.
We have enjoyed talking with you.