What can a teacher do with a cellphone? Using participatory visual research to speak back in addressing HIV&AIDS

Abstract

The ubiquity of cellphones in South Africa, a country ravaged by HIV and AIDS, makes cellphones an easily  accessible tool to use in participatory approaches to addressing HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS  (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome) issues, particularly in school contexts. In this article we explore a participatory visual approach undertaken with a group of rural teachers, to uncover and address HIV and AIDS related issues. Drawing on our experience in using participatory video, we used cellphones to produce cellphilms about youth and risk in the context of HIV and AIDS. Noting that the teachers brought highly didactic and moralistic tones into the cellphilms, we devised a “speaking back” approach to encourage reflection and an adjustment to their approaches when addressing HIV and AIDS issues with learners. We draw on the example of condom use in one cellphilm to demonstrate how a “speaking back” pedagogy can encourage reflection and participatory analysis, and contribute to deepening an understanding of how teachers might work with youth and risk in the context of HIV and AIDS.

Keywords: cellphilm; cellphone; HIV&AIDS; life orientation; participatory research; sex education; teacher; youth