Using Phenomenology to Access Teachers’ Understanding of the Benefits of Student Voice in the Context of Gifted and Talented Education in an Australian Independent School

Abstract

The purpose of the study reported here was to explore teachers’ lived experiences and reflections on how they perceive and understand the benefits of allowing student voice within the gifted and talented cohort of students at an independent school located in the outer suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. Using the phenomenological framework of van Manen’s four lifeworld existentials of lived body, lived time, lived space, and lived relations, semi-structured interviews took place with three teachers from this school. Four themes emerged from the analysis – challenge, belonging, autonomy and empowerment. The findings highlight the benefits of allowing student voice in the gifted and talented program in enhancing the educational growth of gifted students and enabling gifted students to contribute positively for the betterment of society.