Finding Waldo, Missing Reflection: A Case Study in Critical Media Literacy in Teacher Preparation Programs

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Abstract

This study explores pre-service teachers’ understanding of critical media literacy (CML) and its application to teaching multilingual learners. A case study was conducted with 50 pre-service teachers in a Foundations of ESOL course who engaged in a lecture on media framing, followed by an activity analyzing a Where’s Waldo panel. Their written responses were analyzed through reflexive thematic analysis and resulted in three themes: obedience to the script, creativity in confinement, and analytical silence. Findings indicate that students engaged creatively in constructing narratives about the panel but struggled to extend this creativity into reflexive critique. This study highlights the need to model critical analysis, preparing future teachers to confront dominant narratives about multilingual students and imagine more inclusive educational futures.

Authors

• Bruno Halpern, Florida Gulf Coast University

• Clarisse Halpern, Florida Gulf Coast University

• Hasan Aydin, Florida Gulf Coast University