Amplifying Resilience: Children and Youth-Centred Digital Storytelling for Educational Recovery in Post-Pandemic Northern Contexts
The "Resilient Experiences and Agency of Youth and Children During the Pandemic: Re-visioning Education through Storytelling" (REAP) project engages youth from Canada, the UK, and Finland in a collaborative storytelling initiative using filmmaking. This research addresses the research question: How can digitally documenting Northern students' experiences during crises enhance resilience and recovery within Northern post-pandemic education systems? By amplifying the voices of diverse and marginalized students, REAP seeks to foster social cohesion and re-envision education within Northern classrooms and communities, promoting both individual and institutional resilience. The data collection includes award-winning student films, surveys, and interviews, which provide valuable insights for developing a post-pandemic recovery curriculum. Additionally, the project equips educators and students with resources and toolkits to amplify student voice and agency. Preliminary findings suggest that student narratives can inform educational interventions, enhancing public and policymakers’ understanding of the pandemic's impact on students' social and emotional well-being, particularly regarding their online and future learning experiences. Central to this research is the commitment to elevate children's perspectives, fostering resilience and recovery in educational contexts impacted by the pandemic. Ultimately, this project offers a vital opportunity to reshape educational practices based on students' lived experiences.