Attitudes to Student Voices in Teaching and Learning in Singapore

• In Event: Roundtable Session 22
  In Roundtable Session: How Can We Improve? Thinking About Space, Place, and Voice in International Contexts

Abstract

Cook-Sather (2002) argues that educational systems are “fundamentally amiss” as they are “premised on adult notions”, while excluding the very people they are “designed to serve” (p. 3). In the last 15 years, student voice has been a growing field of study that has looked at the place students occupy within schools, suggesting that students have unique insights on teaching and learning. This qualitative study focusses on the attitudes of teachers and students to student voices within teaching and learning in Singapore. The preliminary findings, while indicating teachers’ beliefs that student voices can engender more engaging curricula as well as greater ownership by students, also highlights concerns regarding high-stakes examinations and the lack of readiness from both teachers and students.

Authors

• Lucy Fernandez, National Institute of Education - Nanyang Technological University

• Mary Anne Heng, National Institute of Education - Nanyang Technological University

• Christine K.E. Lee, Nanyang Technological University