Student-Teacher Collaboration and Exploring Student Voice to Improve Classroom Instruction and Action Planning in Grade Nine Health Education

Abstract

The purpose of this action research study was to understand my role as a health educator by encouraging student voice in my grade nine health classrooms. My intent was to collaborate and facilitate student-centered learning with grade nine students to produce meaningful action/advocacy plans in health education. The intent was for students to experience a safe discursive space, and a supportive learning environment to self-express and engage in a wider understanding of complex social and health issues. My aim of this research project is to empower students to have a voice and enable all participants to engage in change through social action. I collected data using student exit slips, student artifacts, crucial conversations, and a reflective journal. As I progressed through the phases of action research, my investigation into how I perceived student voices and student-centered learning in my grade 9 health education classrooms highlighted four emerging themes. The first theme highlighted three types of student voice (authoritative, critical and therapeutic) that emerged from the data. I was challenged with truly listening to student voice and the impact their words had on my role as a health educator. The second theme challenges power and privilege that exist within the classroom and school environment. I also discuss the connection between student voice and engagement, while discussing the power of silence in the classroom. The third theme documents my personal struggles shifting from teacher-centered to student-centered learning in health education. Finally, the fourth theme discusses the role of student voice in assessment practices.