What is photovoice?
Photovoice is an evaluation strategy used to engage research participants in identifying change. It can empower students to provide feedback and see the impact of their views on school practices.
Photovoice is a tool often used in forms of action research. In that context, it asks participants in a research process to use photographs, images or other visual material to represent their experiences of the research. In an evaluation context, it allows those groups and individuals who have been part of a project to have a voice in the evaluation of that project through presenting images representing a particular part of the process.
In a school or classroom context, Photovoice can be used when seeking the views of students about processes they have been engaged in. Like other forms of participatory evaluation, Photovoice can build capability and empower those who otherwise simply remain subjects of the evaluation. In schools, students engaging in evaluation through a process like Photovoice is itself a learning exercise.
How much time will this take?
Discussion sessions of 30-45 mins with students reflecting on the photos pre-, during and post-implementation of professional learning.
Who should use Photovoice?
Classroom teachers and school leaders.
Purpose of resource
This guide is designed to support school leaders and teachers to evaluate the impact of professional learning on student growth and performance as part of a cycle of continuous professional learning. It supports the application of the High Impact Professional Learning (HIPL) model and aligns with the Professional learning for teachers and school staff procedure within the School Excellence policy.
Target audience
School leadership teams, aspiring leaders and teachers can use this resource to evaluate the impact of professional learning on student growth and performance.
When and how to use
Photovoice can be used in a school or classroom context to:
seek the views of students about processes they have been engaged in following their teacher’s professional learning
help teachers structure a process where students use photographs, images or other visual material to provide feedback on their learning and see the impact of their views on teaching and learning practices
structure discussion sessions with students reflecting on the photos pre-, during and post-implementation of professional learning.
The resource includes an implementation guide and two illustrations of practice which provide an example of what application of the resource looks like in a primary and secondary school context, including suggested time frames.
Research base
This resource is informed by and aligns to the department’s High Impact Professional Learning (HIPL) model which is embedded in the Professional learning for teachers and school staff procedure within the School Excellence policy. The HIPL model is underpinned by extensive research about teacher professional learning to ensure that professional learning in schools has maximum impact on student growth and performance.
Additional research includes:
Photo Voice - NSW Department of Education
Using photo voice and participatory research to engage with young people - Monash University
Ciolan, L. & Manasia, L. (2019) ‘Reframing Photovoice to Boost Its Potential for Learning ResearchExternal link’, International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 16, 1-15
Research on professional learning: Measuring impact (2021) DoE - which has informed the HIPL model and the DoE PL Policy
Contact
Please provide feedback on this resource by completing this short survey.
Email questions, comments, and additional feedback about this resource to professionallearning@det.nsw.edu.au using the subject line ‘Photovoice evaluation resource’.
Alignment to system priorities and/or needs – This resource supports teachers and school leaders to implement the department’s Professional learning for teachers and school staff procedure within the School Excellence policy.
Alignment to School Excellence Framework – This resource aligns with the following elements and themes:
Leading Domain:
‘Professional learning’ theme within the ‘Learning and development’ element
‘High expectations culture’ theme within the ‘Educational leadership’ element
Teaching Domain:
‘Data analysis’ and ‘Data use in teaching’ themes within the 'Data skills and use’ element
Alignment to Our Plan for NSW Public Education – This resource aligns with the following themes:
Support staff development through high-quality and accessible professional learning
Support schools to deliver school excellence through continuous improvement
Improve how data is used to inform teaching
Alignment to the Plan for Public Education – This resource aligns with the following themes:
Support staff development through high-quality and accessible professional learning
Support schools to deliver school excellence through continuous improvement
Improve how data is used to inform teaching
Alignment with the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers – 3.2.3, 3.2.4, 3.6.3, 3.6.4, 6.3.3, 6.3.4
Consulted with: APC&I leaders, LEED and Quality Teaching Practice evaluation and PL teams
Reviewed by: Director, Quality Teaching Practice and Executive Director, Teaching Quality and Impact
Access the tool
Click 'Next' to continue to use the online tool.
Or ...
- Download a printable version of the Photovoice guide (PDF 118kB)
- Review an illustration of practice:
References
- Photovoice - NSW Department of Education
- Using photo voice and participatory research to engage with young people - Monash University
- Ciolan, L. & Manasia, L. (2019) ‘Reframing Photovoice to Boost Its Potential for Learning Research’, International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 16, 1-15