The Impacts of Teacher Feedback on Self Confidence in Adults with Developmental Dyslexia

Abstract

​​This research explores the​ practice of audio documentary making to present the experiences of dyslexic people within the Aotearoa New Zealand context. Based on literature research and wider contextual reviews, this research looks to answer the question: what are the impacts of teacher feedback on self confidence in adults with developmental dyslexia? Also how have these impacts influenced them in their subsequent areas of life. Research within the field of dyslexia is often targeted at children and their early life experiences while this research study looks to expand upon that existing knowledge by giving voice to the continued experience of dyslexic adults. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven participants and the following thematic analysis of the interview transcripts provided three sub-themes (’Equity Through Allowances’, ’Passion Led Learning’ and ’Social Stigma) as well as three core themes (’The Impact of a Diagnosis’, Teacher Feedback’ and Formation of Confidence and Self-Esteem) which formed the basis of the audio documentary structure. The ensuing discussion covered the creative process in communicating these themes as well as research analysis supported varying findings; offering non generalisable insights on the adult dyslexic experience, with varying agreements and contradictions depending on each participant’s unique experiences. The choice in medium of an audio documentary through the contextualisation of the audio format was chosen to aid in the accessibility of this research to the dyslexic community to which this study refers.