Abstract
This ethnographic case study research and content analysis presents the conclusion of a three-year study involving 37 teacher candidate participants across a three-year study within a two year (2 semester program) Bachelor of Education program at a university in Ontario, Canada. Each academic year participants were intentionally given time over two semesters of literacy courses to engage in literacy practices and knowledge of self through the use of multimodal visual journals. Candidates reflect on their conceptions of literacy, teaching, identity and worldview within an institution grounded in the Christian faith. Findings, philosophical ponderings and content analysis suggest that the identity of the teacher candidate filters learning through visual and multimodal ways. The findings raise questions about the place of multimodal learning, self-reflection, faith and worldview in the learning process, and in identity formation of educators. We suggest that this study may inform current multimodal and visual literacy research while generating enriching discussions on how multimodal forms of literacy instruction may assist in acknowledgement of worldview recognition and self-identity awareness.
Keywords: Multiliteracies, visual journals, self-knowledge, worldview, identity, visual literacy, multimodal literacy, teacher education
Cover Page Footnote
This research has been supported by an internal research grant from Redeemer University.
Recommended Citation
Belcher, C., & Loerts, T. (2020). Using Visual Journals as a Reflective Worldview Window into Educator Identity. International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal, 15(1).
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