“Learning to Ask the Deeper Questions Behind the Image That Most People Don’t See:” Teaching Critical Visual Literacy to History Teacher Candidates Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Authors

• Heather Koopmans, Illinois State UniversityFollow
• Richard Hughes, Illinois State UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Despite the ubiquitous role of images in teaching history, few teachers have formal training in how to help students critically read photographs, paintings, and other images. The essay centers on research on how Critical Visual Literacy, which focuses on how images reflect complex issues of power in society, can assist emerging teachers in helping students think historically and better engage visual evidence associated with curriculum mandates to broaden historical narratives

Recommended Citation

Koopmans, Heather and Hughes, Richard (2026) "“Learning to Ask the Deeper Questions Behind the Image That Most People Don’t See:” Teaching Critical Visual Literacy to History Teacher Candidates Through Interdisciplinary Collaboration," The Councilor: A National Journal of the Social Studies: Vol. 89: No. 2, Article 5.
Available at: https://thekeep.eiu.edu/the_councilor/vol89/iss2/5