PLA Notes CD-ROM 1988-2001 2 Using participatory research methods to explore the learning environment of rural primary school pupils

Document begins: PLA Notes CD-ROM 1988­2001 2 Using participatory research methods to explore the learning environment of rural primary school pupils Abigail Mulhall and Peter Taylor Introduction We undertook the research during 1996 to investigate the use of agriculture as a medium A theme issue of for the development of young rural learners' PLA Notes (Number 28) examined methodological complementarity, basic skills of literacy, numeracy, and other how PRA methodologies can be effectively life skills. We attempted to find out, through combined with more formal approaches to selected case studies, what happens in the provide policy makers and others with classrooms of rural primary schools and how sufficient information to make sound pupils' learning in school relates to learning in decisions. Our research, which used a the home and community environment. The combination of participatory activities, semi- nature of the research required that we structured interviews, observations and formal gathered information about schools that have questionnaires, intended to provide decision used agricultural experience as a means of makers at national and international level with contextualising1 teaching and learning. This valuable information for future planning and involved looking at the implications for implementation of primary education teaching and learning practices, resources, ...