Investigating NCE Preservice Candidates and Graduates’ Visual Literacy Practices in Middle and High School Science and Social Studies Classrooms

The study investigates whether secondary education science and social studies candidates transferred what they learned about visual literacy in their teacher preparation program to their practicum/student teaching classrooms. The study included qualitative and quantitative methods to document the candidates’ visual literacy knowledge and practices. The findings indicate that the candidates did employ visual literacy strategies as visuals had already been regularly used in their classrooms. But, they had limited success in implementing the strategies learned in their methods courses. In addition, they showed a good working knowledge of what visual literacy is and acknowledged its value in the classroom. They also stated that the use of visuals and visual literacy would be integral parts of their teaching in the future