The use of photography in evaluating school culture1

As an increasing number of educational institutions respond to the call for reform by experimenting with new structures, practices, and processes, it becomes critical that researchers and evaluators study the cultures in which these reforms are taking place. Only with a contextual understanding of the whys and ways in which people respond to change will we be able to improve education and maximize the effects of various educational reform strategies. I propose here that researchers and evaluators employ a naturalistic, ethnographic approach to inquiry that seeks understanding of how change occurs and individuals are influenced. In addition to commonly used methods such as interviews, participant observation, and records and document analysis, I suggest that using still photography is a rich and effective means for stimulating reflection and dialogue throughout the study.