Perspectives from Local Media Specialists and ELA Instructors on Graphic Novels in the Middle Grades Curriculum

Yay or Nay?

Authors

  • Jo Ann Higginbotham Lee University
  • Laura Anderson Lee University
  • Shane Brown Lee University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15763/issn.2376-5275.2022.5.2.120-137

Keywords:

graphic novels, reading comprehension, information literacy, multimodal literacy

Abstract

Given the notion that graphic novels have the potential for instruction, this study examines the questions: In what ways do local media specialists and English Language Arts (ELA) instructors use them in their classrooms or other educational settings? If instructors use graphic novels, how do their students respond to them? Have they experienced criticisms concerning the use of graphic novels as texts worthy of analysis and exploration in the classroom? Finally, what is the connection between research and the use of graphic novels in the classroom? In this qualitative study, the authors examined 14 responses from media specialists and ELA instructors working in schools in southeastern Tennessee. Additionally, they reviewed literature related to each of these questions. 

Author Biographies

Jo Ann Higginbotham, Lee University

JO ANN HIGGINBOTHAM is a professor of education at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. Her research interests include literacy, children’s literature, cultural studies, and arts across the curriculum. (jhigginbotham@leeuniversity.edu) 

Laura Anderson, Lee University

LAURA ANDERSON is a professor of education at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. Her research interests include literacy, integration of children’s literature, and gender differences in learning to read. (landerson@leeuniversity.edu) 

Shane Brown, Lee University

SHANE BROWN is Director of Teacher Education at Lee University. His research interests include best practices in clinical experiences, clinical mentor training, and leadership skills at varying levels. (shanebrown@leeuniversity.edu) 

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Published

2022-07-01

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2022): IMAGE AND TEXT: CRITICAL AND EMPIRICAL RESEARCH ON THE USE OF COMICS AND GRAPHIC NOVELS IN LITERACY INSTRUCTION

Section

Empirical Studies

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Copyright (c) 2022 Jo Ann Higginbotham, Laura Anderson, Shane Brown

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.