USING PARTICIPATORY VISUAL METHODS TO TEACH CHARACTER EDUCATION IN EARLY CHILDHOOD IN KENYA

Authors

  • Evans M. Olao School of Education, Department of Curriculum Instruction and Education Media, Moi University, Kenya
  • Bernard L. Misigo School of Education, Department of Educational Psychology, Moi University, Kenya
  • Karsten Speck Department of Education and Social Sciences, Oldenburg University, Germany

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v8i6.3793

Keywords:

character, character education, competency-based curriculum, early childhood education, participatory visual methods

Abstract

The rising cases of youth engagement in anti-social behaviour in Kenya present the need for educational stakeholders to invest in the teaching of character education. This paper has explored the use of participatory visual methods (PVM) in the teaching of character education. A multiple case-study design was used where eight grade three teachers were selected purposively. Data were generated through drawings, individual interviews and reflective journals. These were later analysed thematically through systematic open coding. The findings showed that PVM are learner centred and that they advance collaborative learning. This child-centeredness encouraged active learning and excitement among learners. It also boosted learners’ memories and overcame the language barriers that learners experience during communication in class. This paper concluded that participatory visual methods are new approaches as an alternative for better teaching of character education in early childhood. This conclusion has implications for early childhood teacher education on child-appropriate teaching styles to be used in character education. 

 

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Author Biographies

  • Evans M. Olao, School of Education, Department of Curriculum Instruction and Education Media, Moi University, Kenya
    Evans Mos Olao is currently a PhD student in Moi University in Kenya, whose programme is focused on Curriculum Studies. He is also a holder of a Master of Education in Research degree. He is an alumnus of the East and South African German Centre of Excellence in Educational Research and Research Management (CERM-ESA) and a member of the African Excellence Network (AEN). His academic interests are in research methods, teacher education, early childhood pedagogy, curriculum design, academic writing and organizational administration. He predominantly specialises in qualitative research.
  • Bernard L. Misigo, School of Education, Department of Educational Psychology, Moi University, Kenya
    Professor Bernard Lushya Misigo is an associate professor of educational psychology in the School of Education and an assistant dean in the school of postgraduate studies at Moi University in Kenya. He also teaches courses on mixed methods research and qualitative inquiry.
  • Karsten Speck, Department of Education and Social Sciences, Oldenburg University, Germany
    Prof. Dr. Karsten Speck is a professor of research methods in the department of education at the Carl of Ossietzky University of Oldenburg in Germany. His current research focuses include: multi-professional cooperation, school absenteeism, cooperation between youth welfare and school / school social work, participation and volunteer work, university research and inquiry learning and teaching.

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Published

2021-06-12

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 6 (2021)

Section

Articles

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