Implementing Critical Visual Literacy in Teacher Education to Promote Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices for All Students

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 11:45 am - Gold 1
  In Roundtable Session: From Theory to Transformation: Preparing Justice-Oriented Educators Through Critical Literacy, Equity, and Practice

Abstract

This study examines the impacts of implementing a Critical Visual Literacy (CVL) framework in two graduate-level teacher education courses. Through the analysis of pre- and post-surveys and participants’ designed CVL lesson plans, the study documents a clear shift in teachers’ conceptual and practical engagement with both CVL and Culturally Responsive Teaching. Participating pre- and in-service teachers moved from surface-level understandings to confident, nuanced applications of CVL tools across content areas. They also reported that CVL enhanced their ability to analyze visuals critically, fostered student voice and identity, and supported equity-oriented lesson design. Lastly, lesson plans revealed deep engagement with social justice, student identity, and multimodal learning. The study highlights CVL as a highly effective pedagogical approach for advancing culturally responsive education.

Authors

• Hyeju Han, National Louis University

• Xiaoning Chen, National Louis University