Edge Hill University
Researching educational difference and disability in physical education using photo methods
Those working with children and young people know there is a requirement to “recognise the right of the child to education” as stated by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 28.1, 1989). We also know that there is a need for children to be consulted on practices that affect them (Section 2B of UK Children and Families Act, 2004). However, there is a lack of clear guidance on ways in which this can be achieved, so we ask:
How can we really listen to children’s experience and particularly engage children with specific learning needs or disabilities?
How can we engage them in research to design and deliver a more hopeful form of education?
The three presenters will explore how children’s views and experiences can be ascertained using multisensory, visual and creative research methods, with a particular focus on using photographs within the context of research on physical education (PE). In doing so we will offer a discussion of three short case studies;
1. ‘Visualising Opportunities: Inclusion for Children, Education and Society’ (VOICES) Project;
2. Overcoming a lack of engagement in PE in a secondary school;
3. Involving pupils in an adventurous activities event within higher education.
The presentation will provide examples of how creatively adapting a photo-elicitation method for use within education and education research we can contribute a greater understanding of pupils’ experiences of PE to inform how teaching and learning for all children can be designed and implemented more effectively.