Preservice Teachers’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perception of Their Preparation to Teach Multiliteracies/Multimodality
Abstract
The need to prepare literacy teachers to integrate new literacies into their teaching practices is becoming increasingly urgent. This is because the advent of the computer is fundamentally changing the notion of literacy and also profoundly shifting literacy instruction and the way students learn. The research objective of this study was, therefore, to examine preservice teachers' (N = 48) knowledge of and perceptions of their teacher education preparation to teach multimodality/multiliteracies. Data were collected through qualitative and quantitative responses from the participants. Results of the data analysis suggested that the participants were aware of the impact of the new communication technologies on literacy forms, practices, knowledge, and literacy learning and instruction. However, the participants did not only express concerns regarding the adequacy of their preparation to teach new literacies, they also noted the constraints coming from schools and school districts. The implications of the findings are discussed.
Reference
Ajayi, L. (2010). Preservice Teachers’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perception of Their Preparation to Teach Multiliteracies/Multimodality. The Teacher Educator, 46(1), 6–31. doi: 10.1080/08878730.2010.488279
Journal
The Teacher Educator
Analysis
Is this article part of a larger project or series of studies?
no
Does this study draw on a large, preexisting data set?
no
Research Approach
Geographic Setting
Institutional Context
Certification Level
- Pre-K - 6 (ages ~4-~12)
- Secondary
Programatic Focus
Research Location Context
Preservice Participants
- Post bachs (university based program)
Preservice Sample Size
48
Duration of Data Collection
Data Sources
Data Analysis Tools
- Qualitative Analysis
- Statistical analysis
Researcher Positionality
- Inside (studying their own programs)
Research Questions
"Are preservice teachers aware of the changing literacy practices in relation to changing textual and media technologies?" (p. 8)
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes
"Do preservice teachers believe that their literacy courses provide them with skills and knowledge to teach multiliteracies/multimodality? " (p. 8)
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes
"Do they anticipate teaching new literacies in their own classrooms in the future?" (p. 8)
Is this research question explicit from the manuscript? Yes