The Importance of Ethnography for Educology: Towards Thicker Description of Teaching

Abstract

Thick description of teaching is the product of ethnographic investigation of teaching. A thick description describes not only the behaviour of teachers (what they do), but also the significance of what is done in terms of the rituals which provide context and give meaning to particular instances of behaviour. An illustration of thick description is provided from an ethnographic investigation of how teachers manage innovations (such as the introduction of microcomputers) which challenge their classroom routines. The sorts of educological insights which thick description provides extends understanding of the classroom ethos. It also facilitates contemplation about where tradition is taking us in education and what we think about the worth of that direction. The business of reform in education should not be the abandonment of tradition, but rather to know the tradition, judge it and improve it. "Thicker description” helps us do that by putting both teachers and outsiders "in the picture.” Once there, the journey outward through the looking glass to new traditions becomes possible.