[March 11th 2025]
"Notes from the Field: A Dissertation Diary Unraveled [1]"
When I packed my bags for my dissertation fieldwork, I expected data and discoveries—not chaos, camaraderie, communicative challenges, and coffee-fueled revelations. This is my story."
For those who have been following my work for a while, you know what an unusual path I have taken. From an aspiring concert pianist to law scholar, financial news anchor, and now a doctoral researcher exploring the world of AI and education. I have always been passionate about education and that is the reason why I consistently engage with mentorship programs, connecting with various schools, universities, high schools, even during my broadcasting career.
In 2020, I chose to step away from broadcasting and transition into academia. My research focuses on the intersections of technology, education, and policy. My doctoral thesis investigates the integration of emerging technologies, like Artificial Intelligence, into public education and examines its effects on students, parents, teachers, and society as a whole.
This work builds upon my master's thesis, which was a comparative analysis of the digital education policies of the EU and South Korea. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was significant discussion about leveraging digital education to facilitate home-based schooling for students. This research evolved into a journal article published in the International Journal of Communication in July 2024. Here is the link for those interested in reading it.
Jung, S. (2024). The Datafied School in the Neoliberal Era: Pandemic Shifts in South Korean Education Policy. International Journal Of Communication, 18, 20. Retrieved from https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/21145
For now, let's dive into my dissertation fieldwork diary.
My pre-fieldwork timeline:
Year 1-2: Coursework (2022-2023)
Year 2: Writing field essays for the comprehensive exam
Writing comps exam (August 1st-8th, 2024)
Comps Defense (August 21st, 2024)
Year 3: 4th Doctoral committee member joined - Completion of the committee (September, 2024)
Phd thesis proposal submitted (December, 2024)
Ethics approved (January, 3 2025)
Thesis proposal defense (January, 9th, 2025)
Fieldwork began (February, 2025-ongoing)
Fieldwork:
My research involves ethnographic study. Touted as the world's first AI-textbook, I explore South Korea's AI-textbook initiative as a case study. I will conduct classroom observations in a public elementary school located in a rural or less urban area of South Korea to examine how AI-textbook is being used in the classroom. Additionally, I will be visiting key sites in Korea such as the private education mecca of Korea, Daechi-dong (photo above) and interview teachers, parents, and policymakers to learn more about their thoughts and experiences with the AI-textbook.
Arranging the classroom observation:
The highs- when I eventually heard "yes" from the teacher I have been working with.
The lows - I faced numerous communication challenges when coordinating with other potential participants. Balancing research ethics with accommodating the participants' wishes and preferences was challenging.
Lessons learned:
* When selecting community partners or collaborators, trust your intuition.
* Record every interaction and take time to reflect on them.
* I learned patience - and how to laugh at myself.
Tips for future fieldworkers:
* Pack extra batteries/power bank-trust me. I went out to the fieldwork site and if I hadn't brought my power bank, I would've been doomed.
* Build rapport with the community partner before pulling out your notebook.
The data is coming in and it's still in its early stages. But the story is worth telling—stay tuned for part two.
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