| Students as Researchers (SAR) in one Lebanese school |
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Student research from this project:
Relationships Between Teachers and Students Marie and Rassel
Favourite Subjects and Teacher Quality Wassim and Micheal
Nadine, Zoulfikar and John
Dani
Bushra and Kassandra
Sawsan
Firas and Younes
Abstract In the last 20 years, various attempts have been made internationally to increase and expand young people’s active participation and influence within schools and the wider community. One of such school initiatives has been the re-emergence of ‘student voice’ as one aspect of participation. This led me to explore its various manifestations and the ways in which voice translates into action. This exploratory action research aims to investigate developing research skills with 13 grade 7/8 students (12 - 14 year olds) in one Lebanese school over the course of 16 days in collaboration with the school director and their teachers’ support. Students identified, designed, carried out and presented seven research-for-action projects to the school in order to make a difference to issues that mattered to them. Another aim was to create through SAR the kinds of relationships and spaces whereby students and teachers could experience a new kind of partnership. Evidence gathered from student, teacher and the director’s interviews as well as my own observations, suggests that SAR served as a catalyst for teachers to rethink their own practices and relationships with students; for students to enact their ‘voices’ and to some extent their agency; and for the director to introduce fundamental changes into the school culture and structure. Lena Bahou Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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