Exploring Indigenous students' perception of informal learning spaces
Date
2022-05-03
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Abstract
Castleden and Garvin (2016) suggest Photovoice is an effective method for working with Indigenous populations as it facilitates “sharing power, fostering trust, developing a sense of ownership, creating community change and building capacity” (p. 1401). Neorohr & Bailey (2016), and Rix et al. (2019) outline Indigenous methodologies to ensure community involvement and good outcomes. This presentation seeks to achieve the same with the aid of its attendees. Our study explored Indigenous students’ perceptions of informal learning spaces at our university using Photovoice methodology. As co-researchers, the students were tasked with exploring non-classroom spaces where learning might occur. They were asked to take photos of those spaces and then participate in discussions on what the spaces revealed about them as learners. The purpose of the discussions was to discover how spaces across campus, including the library, could be more representative and supportive of Indigenous students as learners. The purpose of this session is to review with the attendees the results of those discussions, focusing on the student’s voice as expressed during each phase of the project from development of group norms and the research question to the discussions on representation and themes based on the students’ photos. This session will highlight how the Indigenous students were engaged through applying the principles of respect, reciprocity, and co-creation in each phase of the project. Workshop participants will aid in illuminating next steps and suggestions for change in the spaces at our university.
Using Photovoice with Indigenous students as co-researchers we respectfully explored their learning and impressions of campus learning spaces. This presentation highlights how the Indigenous students were engaged through applying the principles of respect, reciprocity, and co-creation. Using the students’ photographs and commentary, attendees will participate in a similar discussion
Description
Powerpoint presentation at Conference on Postsecondary Learning and Teaching University of Calgary, May 2022
Keywords
informal learning spaces, Indigenous students, Indigenization, library learning spaces, Photovoice
Citation
Beatty, S., Jeffs, C., Hayden, K. A., & Rutherford, S. (2022, May 3). Exploring Indigenous students' perception of informal learning spaces [Conference presentation]. Conference on Postsecondary Learning and Teaching, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB.