Using social circus and photography as tools for consolidating competence identity of students in preparatory educations
Keywords:
empowering, social circus, TELMA- and VALMA-educationAbstract
This study examines, how preparatory educations have used the methods of social circus and photography in consolidating students’ competence identity. The evaluation was carried out in selected TELMA and VALMA educations in one vocational institution by observing teachers and instructors using a participatory observation method in social circus educations. We have also used a stimulated recall method in our interviews together with an empowering photography method. The material has been analyzed according to theory-guided content analysis. Empowerment forms the theoretical framework of the evaluation.
Social circus and photography were used in the teaching sessions both instrumentally and content wise. The circus exercises were used to structure the day of the students at school, whilst also supporting students’ concentration and wellbeing. In addition, the exercises also indirectly impacted the developing of working life skills. By using photographs the students transformed the learning experience of the circus exercises in narration. The photographs were used in an empowering method which had a positive impact both on community spirit and appreciative interaction between students, teachers and instructors. By using both social circus and photography together, we saw positive results in community spirit, learning in general and students’ competence identity got stronger. The strengthening of the competence identity became visible in recognizing one’s own strengths, verbalizing and developing one’s own competence and flexible application of all this. Using both of these methods simultaneously, social circus and empowering photography, created a positive circle which strengthened students’ competence identity.
