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• The department defines student voice as “students actively participating in decision-making at school on things which shape their educational experiences. Student voice is more than just students 'having a say' and 'being heard'. To be successful, schools must value the perspectives and opinions of students and act on them in a way that genuinely shapes learning and decision-making at the school”. 
• Student voice will look different to meet the needs of students with disability and/or complex learning needs. In MSMW, student voice includes:
  • Having a say with an array of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) options and technologies.
  • Being listened to and understood by educators who are able to read non-verbal communication styles and limited language skills and who can engage and interpret different AAC options.
  • Participating in the decision-making process in meaningful ways appropriate to their level of understanding and development.

There are 3 tools available in the MSMW digital application.

1. Student Accessible Survey (SAS) tool
   • A digital survey with a range of in-built accessibility features that can be personalised to meet the needs of each student. These features include:
     • Boardmaker symbols
     • customisable photos
     • text to speech
     • different font sizes
     • high contrast display options for students with Cortical Vision Impairment (CVI).
   • Students may be supported by a skilled communication partner to complete the SAS using visual and/or verbal prompts.
2. Guided Discussion Methods (GDM) tool
   • This tool is for students who are not yet able to complete the Student Accessible Survey due to their communication and/or learning needs.
   • It provides an opportunity for students to have their voice heard on each of the domains by responding to an open-ended question. Teachers prepare additional resources such as objects, symbols, pictures or photographs to support the student.
   • The GDM provides a way in which teachers can elicit a response from a student using:
     • Arts-based methods (Body mapping, Guided photovoice, In the picture)
     • Prompted conversations (gestures and vocalisations, AAC low technology and AAC digital devices).
   • The teacher records the student response into the digital tool after they have completed the activity and gathered the response from the student.
3. Parent Carer Insight (PCI) tool
   • A digital survey for schools to gather parent/carer perceptions on their child’s educational experience and wellbeing at school.

[Narrator] My Say My Way supports students with disability and complex learning needs to share their voice and have a say. Through a suite of accessible student voice tools with built-in customisation features, My Say My Way provides a systematic way to collect data on these students' wellbeing at school and their educational experience. There are 3 student voice tools, the Student Accessible Survey, the Guided Discussion Methods tool, and the Parent Carer Insight survey. Let's take a look at My Say My Way in action in our NSW public school.

[Computer] I feel that I belong at school.

[Teacher 1] Yeah. Nice work.

[Teacher 2] Remember, you're gonna tell me if you like something.

[Computer] Like.

[Teacher 2] If you're not sure, you don't know about something.

[Computer] I don't know.

[Teacher 2] Or if you don't like something.

[Computer] Don't like.

[Leonie Donaldson] My Say My Way is supporting our school by really amplifying student voice, and that is so important for every single one of our students to be able to have their voice heard, and have what they say acted upon.

[Teacher 3] When we come out, do you wanna choose the playground? The playground makes you happy.

[Teacher 3] I, what's this one? I like?

[Student 1] I.

[Teacher 3] School, do you like school? You do?

[Student 1] School, school.

[Student 2] I like having a say at school.

[Narrator] My Say My Way will support your students to have their say and be heard. You can use their student voice data to help shape learning programs, and inform decision making in your school.