About Face: Practical Applied Semiotics in Education

• In Event: Semiotics in Education: Alternate Means of Understanding

Abstract

This study examined two sets of teacher images created by preservice students. Semiotic analyses of the first set resulted in a reading of teachers whose presentations indicated isolated, static, and somewhat superficial figures. Analyses of the second set resulted in a reading of teachers whose presentations were enthusiastic, engaged, and erudite. A discussion of teacher images, stereotypes, and visual semiotics were discussed in class after the first images were created. It seems that this discussion was important in the re-thinking of the students’ initial images and subsequent reshaping of second images. Examining tacit misconceptions and stereotypes of teachers using images can benefit new teachers as they begin to formulate their teacher identities and proactively change subliminal and potentially negative perceptions.

Author

• Elvira K. Katic, Ramapo College