Empowering Voices of Students with Learning Difficulties – Implementing Self-Regulated Learning Strategies in a Special School through Participatory Action Research

Abstract

This paper focuses on how self-regulated learning strategies can provide opportunities for students with learning difficulties to express their ideas and reflect on their learning progress. A qualitative, multiple-method research design was used for this participatory action research in a special school in Hong Kong. Data were collected for an academic year in a Form 5 (Year 12 in the UK) class setting. The ‘C. Ind. Le Coding Scheme’ from Whitebread et al. (2009) was used in the data analysis, providing an indicator of verbal and non-verbal self-regulation. My study indicates that the teachers’ guidance and feedback could foster the students’ expressive capability. The students actively shared their ideas, and appreciated everyone’s uniqueness in their school learning. This paper offers examples of how to implement self-regulated learning strategies at subject teaching (teacher-level) and learning (student-level), this promotes and supports the voices of students with learning difficulties in a special educational context.