Children as researchers: An Appreciative Inquiry with primary-aged children to improve ‘Talking and Listening’ activities in their class

Abstract

Appreciative Inquiry (AI) is a process that strives to create a better future by inquiring into, identifying and further developing the best of an organisation (Coghlan et al., 2003). As part of the authors’ systemic work in schools, AI was used as a framework for children to investigate how ‘talking and listening’ in a primary mixed Year 2 and 3 class could be improved. Whilst the broad focus of ‘talking and listening’ was donated by the teacher, this pilot project involved the children, class teacher, teaching assistant (TA) and educational psychologists collaborating in a genuine inquiry regarding the children’s best experiences of talking and listening. The goal was to develop the children’s ideas and ‘dreams’ into new ways of functioning in the classroom. Participants gave feedback regarding the AI process generally, and how they could improve ‘talking and listening’ specifically.