How can humankind respond to the enormous challenges we are currently facing? How can educators help develop an understanding of 'one world'; and our roles as global citizens?

Our biggest challenge in this new century is to take an idea that sounds abstract; sustainable development; and turn it into reality for all the world's people.

Kofi Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations

Semi Structured Interviews

(Including Scenarios)

Purpose
To try and establish pupils’ knowledge of issues related to a particular topic and also to start to uncover evidence of values held.Preparati

Resources
Cards with agreed key words printed on. Ideally, a ‘neutral’ person to carry out the interview. Space to conduct a one-to-one interview (this needs to be somewhere that pupils feel relaxed and are prepared to engage in an informal conversation). Photograph for the scenario and list of criteria if doing the Extension activity.

Teacher Time
In order for the responses to the interviews to be as unbiased as possible, it is important that pupils do not know the purpose of the interviews (i.e. that the interviews are trying to assess knowledge and understanding of, and values and attitudes towards a concept such as sustainable development).

You need to be aware of the dynamics between the pupils and the interviewer. Pupils need to see it as a conversation and not a test. Ideally someone new to pupils or with a fresh perspective. If a teacher carries out the interviews, even if they have a very good relationship with the pupil(s), it will be difficult for the pupils not to see it as a test. The interview situation needs to be set up in as open-ended a manner as possible. The interviewer should have no preconceptions about the pupils.

The teacher, or teachers, need to select the key words or phrases they want the pupils to choose from in the interview situation.

In order that useful data is obtained from this evaluation tool it is important to be clear about why particular headings are included what information is required from these headings, and how this is going to contribute to the overall evaluation of the project. It is therefore important that the technique is trialed before use.

Case Study From Sustainable Cities Project

Alternative procedure:

Adapt to do peer interviews/assessment (e.g. older to younger pupils).

Advantages of this methodology

  • Individual assessment
  • In depth assessment
  • Investigates values and attitudes as well as knowledge and understanding
  • Can give ‘outside’ and more neutral viewpoint

Disadvantages of this methodology

  • Needs some thought to set up, carry out and administer.
  • Needs time and space for individual assessment.
  • Depends on skills of interviewer - some pupils may play up or be shy, or say what they feel they should say rather than what they actually feel