Cbs Studentvoice
Cbs Studentvoice
Cbs Studentvoice
Building Series
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SECRETARIAT SPECIAL EDITION # 34
Student Voice
Transforming Relationships
Exploring voice,
not a quick fix ...
there is an apprehension
about the almost breathless
popularity of student voice,
with its fashionableness along
with the fact that it has become
so popular that in a climate
of short-termism the interest
may burn out before its transformative potential has been
understood.
Jean Rudduck
(quoted in Fielding 2007)
Internationally, there has been great interest in supporting student voice (Fielding,
2012). Across Canada, projects have been funded at the secondary level to support
increasing opportunities for students to contribute authentically to school improvement.
In Ontario, student voice initiatives have historically acknowledged and tried to foster
the engagement of older students in learning. Student voice in the SPEAKUP initiative,
for example, is about connecting whats happening in the classroom to real-life
experiences outside school, with a focus on supporting students to shape their
learning environment while building skills and abilities and preparing for active
citizenship (http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/students/speakup/).
Provincial collaborative inquiries are leading educators to become more keenly aware
of student voice for younger children as well. They are discovering how competent
and capable of complex thinking children are when when they are deeply involved
in the process of learning (Ontario Early Years Framework, 2013). They are discovering
that student investment in learning opens new possibilities for children of all ages,
not only for learning, but also for engagement and well-being (Natural Curiosity, 2011;
Toshalis, & Nakkula, 2012).
Nonetheless, challenges abound. This monograph, drawing from international and
classroom-based Ontario research, puts the spotlight on both the transformative
potential of student voice for younger children and the challenges that educators
are beginning to work through as they rethink roles and relationships in elementary
education.
September 2013
ISSN: 1913 8482 (Print)
ISSN: 1913 8490 (Online)
Student
Student voice
voice is
is aa metaphor
metaphor for
for student
student engagement
engagement and
and participation
participation in
in issues
issues that
that
matter
to
learning.
Although
practitioners
agree
that
student
voice
is
important,
there
matter to learning. Although practitioners agree that student voice is important, there
is
is less
less agreement
agreement on
on developmentally
developmentally appropriate
appropriate ways
ways for
for children
children to
to participate
participate
deeply
deeply and
and meaningfully
meaningfully in
in their
their education.
education. What
What might
might student
student participation
participation look
like,
like, sound
sound like
like and
and be,
be, not
not just
just for
for older
older students
students but
but for
for younger
younger students
students as
as well?
well?
As
As educators
educators study
study student
student learning
learning in
in collaborative
collaborative inquiries,
inquiries, they
they are
are observing
observing that
that
children
children express
express voice
voice in
in aa variety
variety of
of ways
ways in
in writing,
writing, art
art and
and drama;
drama; in
in gesture,
gesture,
body
body language
language and
and even
even silence.
silence. In
In this
this sense,
sense, student
student voice
voice is
is not
not something
something that
that
we
grant
to
students,
but
rather
something
we
tap
into.
By
broadening
the
definition
we grant to students, but rather something we tap into. By broadening the
of
of how
how children
children can
can and
and do
do express
express voice,
voice, educators
educators are
are taking
taking diverse
diverse approaches
approaches
to
hearing
student
voice.
The
following
diagram
illustrates
some
of
the
to hearing student voice. The following diagram illustrates some of the ways
ways that
that
students
students may
may express
express their voice.
voice.
in writing
role play
art
speaking
self-regulation
over-erasing
at play
non-compliance
silence
disorganization
drama
aggression
body language
incomplete work
gestures
conversations with
parents at home
As educators begin to make this shift, some express a tension between teaching the
curriculum and empowering students to become partners in learning. One educator
in a provincial collaborative inquiry put it this way, There are two systems at play
a learning culture versus a grading culture educators feel bound by the curriculum
and guidelines. We support a learning, inquiry-based culture but feel constrained
by mandated curriculum and reporting requirements.
As educators create space for students to have more autonomy in their learning,
they require an environment that is open to risk-taking and provides opportunities to
continually reflect on and persevere through their own learning process what Watkins
(2012) calls a supportive forum for experimentation where educators can talk about
the tensions that emerge from new roles and responsibilities. The following sections
explore how educators across Ontario are taking action to navigate these tensions
by: (1) connecting the whole school community, (2) fostering reciprocal relationships
with students, (3) exploring a pedagogical mindset and (4) co-creating a responsive
learning environment.
Discovering voice
... it was our decision as to whether we
wanted to learn or not, it didnt become
something where, its like take notes
from the textbook I dont want to criticize
the textbook, but sometimes thats what
can happen and it takes away the critical
thinking from the idea.
student behaviour is also improving. This cycle of success has led to powerful transformations in classroom practice. In the words of Peacock, Where this culture extends
to the entire school, an exciting can do atmosphere pervades leading to the sense
that almost anything is possible or within reach (2011).
How
How do
do students
students atat your
your school
school voice
voice their
their thinking
thinking about
about their
their learning
learning and
and other
other school
school issues?
issues?
What
What actions
actions can
can you
you take
take toto give
give students
students more
more opportunities
opportunities toto express
express their
their voice?
voice?
Every child
child should
should feel
feel that
that he
he or
or she
she
Every
belongs, isis aa valuable
valuable contributor
contributor to
to his
his or
or
belongs,
her surroundings,
surroundings, and
and deserves
deserves the
the opportuopportuher
nity to
to succeed.
succeed. When
When we
we recognize
recognize children
children
nity
as capable
capable and
and curious,
curious, we
we are
are more
more likely
likely
as
to deliver
deliver programs
programs and
and services
services that
that value
value
to
and build
build on
on their
their strengths
strengths and
and abilities.
abilities.
and
IfIf you
you expand
expand opportunities
opportunities for
for students
students toto have
have aa stronger
stronger voice
voice inin classroom
classroom and
and school
school learning,
learning,
how
how will
will you
you identify
identify the
the impact
impact of
of this
this action
action on
on student
student learning?
learning?
explORing
EXPLORING A peDAgOgiCAl
PEDAGOGICAL minDSeT
MINDSET
Educators
Educators are
are embracing
embracing a
a pedagogical
pedagogical mindset
mindset to
to address
address the
the tensions
tensions that
that are
are
inherent
inherent when
when embedding
embedding student
student voice
voice within
within the
the curriculum.
curriculum. They
They are
are finding
finding
that
that three
three apsects
apsects of
of aa pedagogical
pedagogical mindset
mindset are
are particularly
particularly helpful
helpful in
in dealing
dealing with
with
these
these tensions
tensions and
and supporting
supporting both
both student
student and
and educator
educator learning.
learning. Each
Each is
is explored
explored
briefly
briefly below.
below.
Ontario Early
Early Years
Years Framework
Framework,, 2013)
2013)
((Ontario
1.
1. Developing
Developing aa Pedagogy
Pedagogy of
of Listening
Listening
Educators
Educators are
are grasping
grasping the
the importance
importance of
of developing
developing aa pedagogy
pedagogy of
of listening
listening
(Gandini,
(Gandini, L.,
L., &
& Kaminsky,
Kaminsky, 2004;
2004; Rinaldi,
Rinaldi, 2004),
2004), where
where they
they spend
spend more
more time
time listening
listening
to
to their
their students
students and
and helping
helping them
them build
build on
on one
one anothers
anothers ideas.
ideas. They
They are
are more
more
than
than ever
ever tuning
tuning into
into the
the diverse
diverse ways
ways that
that students
students are
are expressing
expressing their
their thinking.
thinking.
Listening
Listening to
to students,
students, deeply
deeply and
and authentically,
authentically, requires
requires an
an awareness
awareness of
of our
our biases
biases
and
and preconceptions
preconceptions as
as these
these affect
affect what
what we
we hear.
hear.
Educators
Educators who
who are
are developing
developing aa pedagogy
pedagogy of
of listening
listening to
to inform
inform their
their work
work are
are
seeing
seeing aa dramatic
dramatic impact
impact on
on their
their daily
daily classroom
classroom practice.
practice. As
As one
one Ontario
Ontario educator
educator
commented,
commented, We
We actively
actively listen
listen to
to what
what our
our students
students are
are telling
telling us
us and
and they
they construct
construct
the
the learning
learning with
with us.
us. We
We acknowledge
acknowledge and
and validate
validate their
their questions,
questions, ideas,
ideas, suppositions
suppositions
and
and opinions
opinions and
and provide
provide them
them choice
choice in
in their
their learning.
learning. AA pedagogy
pedagogy of
of listening
listening often
often
includes
includes documenting
documenting evidence
evidence in
in the
the various
various forms
forms that
that make
make student
student thinking
thinking
visible
visible and
and provide
provide aa record
record for
for discussion,
discussion, reflection
reflection and
and analysis.
analysis. This
This process
process is
is
ongoing
ongoing and
and is
is used
used to
to support
support growth
growth and
and improvement
improvement ((Capacity
Capacity Building
Building Series
Series
Pedagogical
Pedagogical Documentation,
Documentation, 2012).
2012).
Educators need
need to
to understand
understand what
what they
they
Educators
can about
about the
the different
different social,
social, economic,
economic,
can
and cultural
cultural contexts
contexts of
of their
their students
students
and
and how
how these
these influence
influence their
their efforts.
efforts. ItIt isis
and
beneficial to
to view
view these
these differences
differences not
not as
as
beneficial
impediments to
to overcome,
overcome, but
but as
as resources
resources
impediments
that can
can enhance
enhance learning.
learning.
that
(Toshalis && Nakkula,
Nakkula, 2012)
2012)
(Toshalis
Diverse
Diverse Approaches
Approaches to
to Hearing
Hearing Student
Student Voice
Voice
silent observation
documentation analysis
surveys
photo analysis
interviews
Listening with Ears,
Eyes and Open Minds
mailbox systems
video analysis
anecdotal notes
speakers corner
open door policies
exit cards
Do
participate in issues
that matter to them
shape and contribute
to their learning
environment
belong in meaningful
partnerships
Feel
learner autonomy
agency
self-efficacy
collective efficacy
respect
belonging
motivated
connected to their
environment
Be
Shared Leadership
Partnership
Participation
Consultation
Expression
Student involvement in
planning, decision making
and implementation is key.
Informed by Ontario collaborative inquiry participants and by the work of Michael Fielding (2012), Beyond Student Voice: Patterns of Partnership and the
Demands of Deep Democracy; Eric Toshalis & Michael J. Nakkula (2012), Motivation, Engagement and Student Voice; Roger Hart (1992). Childrens participation
from tokenism to citizenship.
Natural
Natural Curiosity:
Curiosity: Building
Building childrens
childrens understanding
understanding
of
of the
the world
world through
through environmental
environmental inquiry/A
inquiry/A
resource
resource for
for teachers
teachers.. (2011).
(2011). Toronto:
Toronto: The
The
Laboratory
Laboratory School
School at
at the
the Dr.
Dr. Eric
Eric Jackman
Jackman Institute
Institute
of
of Child
Child Study.
Study.
Peacock,
Peacock, A.
A. (2011).
(2011). Beyond
Beyond Assessment
Assessment Levels:
Levels:
Reaching
Reaching for
for new
new heights
heights in
in primary
primary education.
education.
Education
Education Review
Review,, 23(2),
23(2), 1422.
1422.
Rinaldi,
Rinaldi, C.
C. (2004).
(2004). The
The relationship
relationship between
between
documentation
documentation and
and assessment.
assessment. The
The Quarterly
Quarterly
Periodical
Periodical of
of the
the North
North American
American Reggio
Reggio Emilia
Emilia
Alliance
Alliance,, 11(1).
11(1).
Shanker,
Shanker, S.
S. (2013).
(2013). Calm,
Calm, alert,
alert, and
and learning:
learning:
Classroom
Classroom strategies
strategies for
for self-regulation
self-regulation.. Toronto,
Toronto,
ON:
ON: Pearson
Pearson Canada.
Canada.
Toshalis,
Toshalis, E.,
E., &
& Nakkula,
Nakkula, M.
M. J.J. (2012).
(2012). Motivation,
Motivation,
Engagement,
Engagement, and
and Student
Student Voice.
Voice. The
The Education
Education
Digest
Digest,, 2935
2935
Watkins,
Watkins, C.
C. (2009)
(2009) Learners
Learners in
in the
the driving
driving seat.
seat.
Leading
Leading Learning
Learning Pedagogy
Pedagogy,, 1(2),
1(2), 2831.
2831.
www.teachingtimes.com.
www.teachingtimes.com.
Watkins,
Watkins, C.,
C., Carnell,
Carnell, E.,
E., && Lodge,
Lodge, C.
C. (2007).
(2007). Effective
Effective
learning
learning in
in classrooms
classrooms.. Thousand
Thousand Oaks,
Oaks, CA:
CA: Sage
Sage
Publications.
Publications.
Wien,
Wien, C.
C. (2008).
(2008). Emergent
Emergent curriculum
curriculum in
in the
the
primary
primary classroom
classroom.. New
New York:
York: Teachers
Teachers College
College
Press.
Press.
Ontario
Ontario Ministry
ministry of
of Education
educationResources
Resources
Curriculum
Documents
Curriculum Documents
The
The Ontario
Ontario Curriculum:
Curriculum: The
TheArts
Arts(revised)
(revised)(2009)
(2009)
The
The Ontario
Ontario Curriculum:
Curriculum: Social
SocialStudies,
Studies,Grades
Grades11
to
to 66 && History
History and
and Geography,
Geography,Grades
Grades77and
and88
(revised)
(revised) (2013)
(2013)
Ontario
Ontario Early
Early Years
Years Framework
Framework(2013)
(2013)
School
School Effectiveness
Effectiveness Framework
Framework(2013)
(2013)
Capacity
Capacity Building
Building Series
Series
Getting
Started
Getting Started with
with Student
StudentInquiry
Inquiry(2011)
(2011)
Student
Student Identity
Identity and
and Engagement
Engagement(2011)
(2011)
The
The Third
Third Teacher
Teacher (2012)
(2012)
Pedagogical
Pedagogical Documentation
Documentation(2012)
(2012)
Provincial
provincial Collaborative
Collaborative Inquiry
inquiry
Student
Voice
Student Voice has
hasquoted
quotededucators
educatorsparticipating
participating
in
in the
the following:
following:
Collaborative
Collaborative Inquiry
Inquiryin
inLearning
LearningMathematics
Mathematics
(CIL-M)
(CIL-M)
Early
Early Primary
Primary Collaborative
CollaborativeInquiry
Inquiry(EPCI)
(EPCI)
Literacy
Literacy Leaders
Leaders
Student
Student Work
Work Study
StudyTeacher
Teacher(SWST)
(SWST)