Empowering children through photography and drawing

Abstract

This paper discusses two methods used to collect information about children’s aspirations in My Tertiary Education Day (MyTED), a primary school-based programme in low socioeconomic status (SES) areas of Queensland, Australia. The researchers hypothesised that when children are encouraged to think positively about their future, they become aware of a wide range of choices and opportunities. Of specific interest was the capacity of primary school children to aspire to a tertiary education. To learn more about children’s aspirations and how these changed by taking part in the MyTED program, photo elicitation and drawing were employed. This paper investigates the ways in which drawings (MyVoice) and photo elicitation can reveal aspirations among primary school children aged 8- to 12-years. The two methods applied helped to provide a better understanding of the students emotions, their views of present world and their dreams for the future, more effectively than relying on verbal and text-based information.

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Uwe Terton

Uwe Terton is an adjunct researcher at the University of the Sunshine Coast. He is a senior academic in digital communication and design.

Ruth Greenaway

Dr. Ruth Greenaway is the Director of the Centre for Support and Advancement of Learning and Teaching (CSALT) at the University of the Sunshine Coast. The CSALT team supports the Schools to provide an innovative curriculum that leads to student success. Support is provided in the areas of Curriculum Design, Professional Learning and the use of Educational Technologies guided by the University strategic priorities, policies and procedures.

Sandra Elsom

Sandra Elsom teaches across a range of courses in the Preparatory and Enabling Unit at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Her Masters research focused on the experiences of Tertiary Preparation Pathway students at a regional learning hub.

Richard Burns

Professor Richard Burns is a Professor of Academic Communication at the University of the Sunshine Coast.