Browsing by Author "Lammela, Iida-Lotta"

The purpose of this study was to describe the sixth-grade students' perceptions of strengths. The importance of strengths, as well as more broadly positive pedagogy, has recently been emphasized, and various projects have sought to address the curriculum gap in how the subject is concretely addressed in the classroom. This study is interested in what kinds of aspects the students themselves think are important and want to highlight in the strength debate. The material of this study consisted of video interviews conducted by students and questionnaires completed in preparation for them. The interviews followed the principles of peer interviewing and the students interviewed each other without the presence of a researcher. Questionnaires were completed individually. The material were produced by six sixth grades in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The survey included 85 questionnaires and 38 videos. The material was analyzed using material-based content analysis. The results showed a diverse set of individual perceptions of strengths and strength teaching. Students' perceptions were classified into categories based on their content. The largest category was the hobby and school world as a context for strengths. In the answers of this category, the pupils saw their strengths primarily as a competence in school subjects. Alongside this category, many students also mentioned the strengths learned in the project. The material was invariably very positive about strengths and studying them at school. In conclusion, it is challenging for some students to extend their strength thinking beyond the school world, with strength teaching and such research taking place in such a close school context. As a whole, students were able to reflect on the topic of strength analytically and in depth, and to justify their views and the meanings they gave to strength teaching. The attitudes and diverse perspectives of the students who participated in the study show that it is also fruitful to give voice to the students, the target group for strength projects, and to explore the strength theme in different contexts. It is also important that the societal debate also has a many-sided research-based perspective.