Social Media and Social Constructions of Teachers: A Close Reading of K-State's YouTube Recruitment Documentary

• In Event: Division K Section 7 Poster

Abstract

The role of teachers in society and schools is in constant negotiation. Public forums such as YouTube are influencing the role of teacher. This research is guided by positioning theory and narrative theory and uses film analysis techniques to conduct a critical close reading of a recruitment documentary created and published by Kansas State COE. Findings explore three themes including teaching as a duty, core practices discourse, and perceptions that the “strict” teacher is the good teacher. Implications show that that the documentary has implicit explicit ideologies that build on the historical trope of the White Lady Bountiful that has long influenced the social construction of teachers as well as labor issues for teachers and classroom experiences for students.

Author

• Daniel Moore, University of Colorado - Boulder