1Hello, Sandy.
2How have you been getting on with your dissertation?
3Fine, and I've been working hard on the various action points we agreed on our last tutorial.
4Do you want to talk me through what you've done?
5Yeah, sure.
6Well, we agreed on three main targets for me to aim for.
7The first one was to find out about suitable data analysis software.
8Yes.
9And what I decided to do was to look through catalogues specialising in IT.
10That's a good idea.
11What did you come up with?
12I found the names of two promising ones.
13Right.
14But I also thought it'd be worthwhile talking to a lecturer.
15Oh right.
16Who did you see?
17Jane Prince. Do you know her?
18She's in the Computer Centre.
19Yes, of course, she's the new Head.
20Yes. Well, she was very helpful.
21Oh, that's good.
22Did she suggest anything in particular?
23Yeah. She recommended software called Vivat
24and said I should book up for a couple of practice sessions using Vivat.
25Great. I'm sure you'll find them useful.
26And, of course, the second target was to draw up a survey checklist...
27Yes, you emailed me it last week.
28Have you had a chance to look...?
29Of course,
30um, I think it's good.
31Very much on the right lines.
32I'd say your first two sections are spot on.
33I wouldn't suggest that you change anything there, but...
34in section three you really do need to have questions on teaching experience.
35Yeah. I was thinking that section looked a bit short.
36Right.
37And my third target was, do further reading on discipline.
38Oh yes. I mentioned a couple of writers, didn't I?
39Yes, well, I got hold of the Banerjee and I thought that was excellent.
40But I'm afraid I didn't manage to get hold of the essays about classroom management,
41you know, the ones by Simon Ericsson.
42The bookshop said it was out of print and the library doesn't have a copy.
43Oh right, and I'm afraid I've lent my copy to another student.
44What I suggest you do is try the library again -
45this time apply for it through the service called special loans.
46Have you done that before?
47You're entitled to six books a year.
48Yes.
49No problem. That's what I'll do.
50So, lots of useful work done.
51So, let's look at some new targets.
52We'll start by having a chat about your Chapter One.
53I very much enjoyed reading it.
54Your written style is very clear
55and you've included lots of interesting descriptions of education in your target area.
56I've just got a couple of suggestions for some additional work.
57Of course.
58Could I just ask - what do you think I should call it?
59Well, I'd go for something like Context Review.
60What do you think?
61Well, short and to the point.
62Exactly.
63Now, as regards specific areas to work on,
64I'd be quite interested to have a few more statistics about the schools in the different zones.
65Oh, that wouldn't be a problem. I can get them from the Internet.
66Great,
67and although you did make a reference to quite a few different writers,
68I think you should aim to cite more works written later than 2000.
69Okay.
70That's more difficult, but I can try.
71When do you want that done by?
72Oh, it's not urgent.
73Um, I should aim for the end of term.
74But in the meantime, I think you should also be thinking about Chapter Two.
75Should I be drafting it already?
76No, but I think you should note down its main sections.
77Yes.
78You know, I always find that the hardest part.
79I always find it helpful to put some ideas on index cards.
80Um... and then you can sort them, and even lay them out on the floor.
81It's a real help.
82Well, I'll certainly try it!
83When would the deadline be for that?
84My advice would be to get it done before you embark upon the research.
85You can always change it later if you need to.
86Okay. I'll get going on that...