ALARA Monograph No 8 Multiple, creative, methods for ‘giving voice’ in Alternative Education

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Four data collection methods (photovoice, go-along interviews, journaling and talanoa) are described that were employed by teachers in an Alternative Education (AE) setting in New Zealand to collect stories of, and more deeply understand, previous unsuccessful schooling experiences and aspirations of our students.

AE is often a last chance option for students who have been excluded from mainstream schools. Choices of methods for collecting stories were largely determined by the students' ability to 'give voice' to enable them to feel safe in telling their own stories.

The stories collection was part of action research (AR) Reconnaissance Phase (current situation prior to implementation of improvements) data collection designed to ultimately create improved teaching and learning experiences. The content of the stories themselves and outcomes of improvement in teaching and learning are outlined in subsequent papers.

The focus of this paper is solely on employment of methods from our perspective as teachers and it is written in our voice, with a minor level of guidance from the research team leading the AR.