Instructions

Photovoice & Cellfilm

Photovoice: Enhancing Supportive Learning
Environments through a Bioecological Approach
Individual task (20 points)
Submission October 11

Study Guide p. 164

What is the purpose?

• The aim of this assignment is to explore the concept of supportive

learning environments and the role of a bioecological approach in
promoting such environments for learners.
• The assignment will involve the use of the photovoice method, which
combines photography and storytelling, to capture visual representations
of various elements within the learners' environment that contribute to
their learning experiences. Through this assignment, students will
critically analyse and reflect on the factors that influence supportive
learning environments from a bioecological perspective.
What should you do?
No internet
pictures!

1. Photo documentation (10 points):

a) Use a camera or a smartphone and take at least five photos
that represent different aspects of a learning environment – organic
photographs. (Take POPIA into account).
Consider factors such as physical environment, social interactions,
materials/resources and any other relevant aspects that contribute to a
supportive learning environment.
b) Write a short description for each photo and explain why you
chose it and how it relates to the bioecological approach to supportive
learning environments.
What should you do?
2. Reflective analysis (10 points):
Write a reflective essay in which you discuss your photos and their relationship to the
bioecological approach. Includes the following components:

a) Introduction: Provide an overview of the bioecological approach and its

relevance in understanding supportive learning environments.
b) Analysis: Analyze each photograph in relation to the different levels of the
bio-ecological model (microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem and chronosystem).
Discuss how each level influences learners' experiences and shapes the overall learning
environment.
c) Interconnections: Identify and discuss the interconnections between the
different levels of the bio-ecological model. Explore how changes or disruptions in one
level can affect other levels and ultimately affect the supportive learning environment.
d) Recommendations: Based on your analysis, give recommendations on how the
bioecological approach can be applied to improve and create more supportive learning
environments. Consider strategies and interventions that can be implemented at various
levels of the model.
Remember the following: Language
use and
spelling!
Guidelines:
• Use high-quality and clear photos that are relevant to the topic.
• Make sure the descriptions for each photo are concise, yet informative.
(Short and sweet)
• The reflective essay should be well structured, with an introduction, body
paragraphs and a conclusion. (Insert ALL relevant parts.)
• Support your arguments and analysis with relevant literature and scholarly
sources. (Avoid blogs unless they are known like News 24 – use MyBib.)
- Use proper referencing and citation format (eg. APA or Harvard).
What should I submit?

Submit your photos along with the descriptive captions and the reflective
essay in a digital format (PDF) on ClickUp.
Remember, this assignment aims to promote critical thinking, application of
theory in practice, and creativity through the use of visual representation.
Enjoy the process of capturing and analyzing the elements that contribute to
supportive learning environments from a bioecological perspective!
Let's look at examples:
Step 1 – take photos
Let's look at examples:
Step 2 – short descriptions (why & how)
The photo was
chosen because
good peer
relationships are
important in the
microsystem of the
learner to provide
support in the
learning
environment.

Exosystem – resources from department

(policies) – important aspect for learning – The photo was chosen as
not direct interaction but impact on community engagement can
learning and ability. promote supportive learning
environments in the learners'
mesosystem where different
microsystems are interrelated.
Step 3 – reflective analysis
Discuss photos IN DEPTH – mention connection to bioecological approach:
1. Introduction
• Overview of bioecological approach (clarify each with correct references), 1-2
paragraphs each.
• Relevance of each to understanding supportive learning environments. (Why and how
is each system important for supportive learning environments.)
1. Analysis
• Analyze each photo in relation to each system (where applicable).
• Discuss, how are learners' experiences (scholastic) influenced at each level? How
do the levels shape their overall learning environment?
• Answered for each photo.
Step 3 –reflective analysis
❑What systems apply here?
✓Microsystem (peer group, school, community – also
influence learner's attitude towards
reading/schoolwork, community, school, teacher?)
✓Mesosystem (interaction between microsystems)
✓Exosystem (department policies? Funding?)
✓Macrosystem (cultural and social norms and
values? Importance of literature?)
✓Chronosystem (policies that change? Funding that
decreases? Resources?
Step 3 – reflective analysis
Discuss photos IN DEPTH – mention connection to bioecological approach:
Interconnections
• What interconnections are there between the different levels? How can changes/disruptions
in one tier affect the other levels and also affect the supportive learning environment?
• If the community project had stopped early, what difference would it make in what level
and how would the difference have affected other levels?

3. Recommendations
• Give recommendations (based on analysis in 3&4 with YOUR photographs and literature in 1)
on how the bioecological approach can be applied to create and improve more supportive
learning environments.
• Think about strategies and interventions that can be implemented at various levels of the
model. (Remember to reference. You can agree or disagree with an author. Based on findings
from Meyer (2023) who .... Stipulate, the following strategies can be applied to promote
supportive learning environments in the various bioecological systems of Bronfenbrenner
(1979).
 Selfilm
Group task
Submission November 8, 2023
Study Guide p. 162
Division A

For this group assignment (no more than 4 persons), you are required to create a cell film clip,
video clip, narrated PowerPoint, or cartoon clip focusing on ONE of the following strength-based
supportive learning environment interventions. The aim of these interventions is to help teachers
create a culture of learning that identifies and mobilises resources within the learning context
to solve learning-related problems.

Choose ONE of the following themes:

• Integrate and apply the asset-based approach within the context of the bioecological approach
to support learners in a classroom (Theme 1).

• Apply the principles of Inclusive Education to create a supportive learning environment in a

classroom (Theme 2).

• Apply the principles of resilience to support the learning environment of learners in a

classroom (Theme 4).
Format

❑ Not longer than 5 minutes. One of the following:

• Narrated PowerPoint
• Video (any program)
• Cartoon clip

• Upload final product to YouTube (set to public). Only

link to video is inserted in Section B and handed in.
Section B
Written description of two pages:
Page 1
• Explain reasons for choice of specific strength-based supportive learning
environment intervention focused on.
• Support clarification with references.
• Describe why you believe this intervention is effective in creating a
supportive learning environment AND how it aligns with the principles and
objectives of OPV 222.
Page 2
• Reflect on cell film and evaluate its effectiveness in achieving goal of assignment.
• Analyze positive areas AS WELL as where improvements could have occurred.
• Think about content, visual presentation, engagement (of group) and message clarity.
• Discuss how well your cell film conveyed the importance of the chosen power-based
intervention and its potential impact on the learning environment.
• Give constructive feedback on what you would like to include or improve in the cell
film.
Remember!

• Language use and spelling!

• Trial reading.
• Punctuation.
• Correct references (MyBib).
• No AI!
• ONLY ONE PERSON HANDS IN THE TASK! Insert EVERYONE's
details on first page.