Andragogy of the oppressed: action research as student engagement practice

This action research was conducted in response to National Student Survey (NSS) comments that suggested 12 out of 87 students did not feel their voice was represented in feedback.

The research used focus groups, online polls and email correspondence to establish how best to ensure that all voices were reflected in feedback and the institutions response to it. The ethics of power and collaboration are explored, as well as the issues regarding the capture of representative views.

The findings suggested that students wanted explanations for when feedback was not actioned, opportunity to feedback on potential solutions and greater collaboration with staff. It was also found that in participating in the action research, students gained research skills as well as improvement of their student engagement processes.

Lucy Krebs, Norland University of Early Childhood