Through Their Lens: The Potential of Photovice for Documentation of Environmental Perspectives among Kenyan Teachers

Abstract

This study explores the potential of photovoice for understanding environmental perspectives of teachers in the Narok District of Kenya. The objective of this paper is to share this photo-methodology with environmental educators so they may use it as an innovative methodological tool to understand the construction of environmental perspectives. The researchers analyzed the digital images and the accompanying narratives for themes emerging for each of the key terms. The researchers utilized Critical Visual Methodology to guide the data analysis. Each photograph was coded according to its site of audiencing (including both compositionality and social modalities). The themes - shares local knowledge, documents context, documents knowledge emerged from the participants’ photovoice. The researchers theorize this tool illustrated the ways in which this community valued the environment, their community, and the ways in which they conceptualize the solutions.

Local Knowledge and Perspectives of Change in Homegardens: A Photovoice Study in Kandy District, Sri Lanka

“…The combination of visuals and narrative also allowed the researcher to see homegardens through the eyes of the participant. Moreover, it allows the researcher to accurately understand the essence of an issue [29,38]. For example, we not only heard about the damage wildlife can cause but also saw visuals of what that damage can look like in the homegardens (e.g., Figure 5a).…”

“…Photographs used in PAR research have the unique ability to mirror or depict the everyday realities of people's lives [17]. In turn, researchers are able to gain more valuable insights into the participant's perspective and knowledge in ways that words alone cannot [37,38]. By entrusting cameras into the hands of participants, photovoice allows the researcher to have access to an individual's natural social and behavioral settings.…”

“…In this way, they become coresearchers in the study. Through continuous reflective thinking, photovoice helps fuel critical consciousness of one's environment [38,40]. Moreover, the individual concerns brought forward are further analyzed as a group and can create a sense of collective vision [37].…”

Metodologia da pesquisa em educação e ensino de ciências

“…As imagens produzidas geram narrativas a elas conectadas pelos autores das fotos, e, posteriormente, propiciam uma discussão coletiva sobre o tema (MEIRINHOS, 2012;QUIGLEY et al, 2014). Tal discussão estimula a interlocução dos participantes, possibilitando compartilhar perspectivas, gerando diálogo entre a identidade dos participantes e o tema da pesquisa (PINK, 2001;MEIRINHOS, 2012).…”

“…Outro grande proveito do photovoice, segundo Quigley et al (2014), refere-se ao fato de que o método permite o controle, pelo participante, da coleta de dados, pois ele ou ela pode decidir qual conhecimento será ou não compartilhado com os demais pesquisadores, garantindo autonomia, autoria e autoridade sobre o produto.…”