Using visual narrative and poststructuralism to (re)read a student teacher's professional practice

Abstract

This paper demonstrates how a final year student teacher takes up a two-stage methodology for reflective practice. The methodology is generated from the principles of traditional literary theory and cultural studies, particularly poststructuralism. The analysis shows that Lucas, one of the more successful respondents in the study, is able to produce a personal reading of his experience documented as a picture book and then a critically alternative (re)reading, but he does not exploit the methodology fully and venture into a resistant (poststructuralist) reading. The author provides such a reading. A rationale is offered for why this methodology for reflective practice might be appropriated more effectively by experienced mentor teachers who could then pass it on intergenerationally to the student teachers or beginning teachers.