A group of 30 preservice teachers in a course on Language and Learning in the Faculty of Education of McGill University used photo-voice to explore ways of visually representing various forms of learning. Working in group of 5 or 6 they investigated a number of themes ranging from the difficulty of learning fractions to the low status of teaching and education, to the ways in which we all carry around images of failure. Once groups had their pictures developed they worked to produce poster narratives which they presented to the rest of the class for discussion. Each group also wrote a short reflective piece about their work.

The prompt:
Part 1 –Brainstorming a potential focus (could be a learning area or a particular theme) – and a particular ‘angle’ or thesis that you wish to explore visually

Part 2 – ‘The shoot’ – Each group will have one disposable camera (with 27 exposures). Use them all! Feel free to work abstractly (taking photographs for example of particular objects associated with your topic or theme), and spaces/places, and as well feel free to work with ‘staged’ photographs (see What Can a Teacher Do with A Camera –in Mitchell and Weber). The work of Jo Spence could be very inspiring to you. Your photographs can also include print texts (signs, posters, words that you might want to write on the chalk board etc.) Try to make notes as you go along. Jot down some of the discussion that you have along the way, or make notes about what you are hoping to capture in particular shots. Take turns so that everyone in the group gets a chance to take pictures.

Part 3 – Working with the photographs – I will bring the developed photographs to class and in the first part of the class each group will have approximately 40 minutes to work with their photographs and develop them into some sort of exhibition. Could someone from each group bring along (1) a poster sheet of Bristol Board (2) scissors (3) some markers) and (4) glue. In the second part of the class we will have a chance to speak about their work, add in an artistic statement, etc.

Claudia Mitchell