| From illuminated manuscripts and stained glass windows to comic books/graphic novels and websites, much of human existence is experienced through the visual. Yet visual issues are often relegated to a secondary status in academic and professional realms. Visual elements are minimized in the majority of university-level disciplines, are notably absent from prestigious journals and are rarely used in classes and then only as a secondary source of information. As a result of this de-emphasis, students are under-prepared to critically assess the barrage of images they are likely to experience in 21st century workplaces and home environments.; In this project issues of textual and visual literacy are examined and used as a basis for the creation of an alternative, multiliterate approach termed Collage Literacy. Fundamentally, collage literacy is the ability to critically read/view and write/produce blended texts. This project was conducted to study the lives of four sophisticated collage literates who have successfully blended words and images in their personal and professional lives.; This research was conducted from a qualitative stance with particular emphasis on narrative inquiry. The participants' stories took precedence and informed all aspects of the project. The researcher observed each participant for several days which included shadowing each participant at work and at home. Interviews, observations, photographs, artifacts, and literacy biographies were the main data sources collected.; The data collected was separated into three overarching categories: childhood, professional and personal experiences. Through analysis of the data, these three categories generated a range of sub-categories: educational experiences (formal and informal), environments and relationships, detours, challenges, and free time. The data was used to create an overall picture on the nature of collage literacy.; The researcher argues that collage literacy is an essential skill-set needed to succeed in the 21st century. This project argues for the need to explicitly teach students how to read and create texts comprised of alphabetic and visual elements. Efforts to teach collage literacy has the potential to enhance the composition classroom by providing varied literacy approaches to a diverse student population. Collage literacy offers an alternate and more inclusive view of the future. |
