Research taster
When teachers start to find out what their pupils think
about teaching and learning, they are often surprised by how positive, deep and
insightful the vast majority of pupils’ ideas are. Many of the pupils’ ideas reflect activities
they have experienced in the past. If you are prepared to believe that your pupils’
contributions could be useful, you can use their ideas to plan more motivating
lessons and use their skills to overcome problems – such as when difficulties arise
in using ICT resources. 
Your evidence
You
can get a very good indication of the ideas pupils have about teaching and
learning by holding a discussion on what makes a 'good teacher'. You might like
to try this with small groups which report back later to the whole class. You
could ask your pupils what suggestions they have for a trainee on how to become
a good teacher.
Moving forward
Once you
have an insight into pupils’ ideas you will need to evaluate them and consider
how to build on them. You’ll also need to let them know about how you have
weighed up their responses, and show how you’ve used their new ideas or explain
your reasoning where this isn’t possible.
Find out more
You can find out more about pupil voice at:
The
project website: http://www.consultingpupils.co.uk/
A TLRP
Research Brief on pupil voice at:
http://www.tlrp.org/pub/documents/no5_ruddock.pdf
A GTC
Research of the Month summary on pupil voice at:
http://www.gtce.org.uk/policyandresearch/research/ROMtopics/pupilvoice/
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