Education
PhD (2014), Curriculum Studies with a focus on literacy. Western University. Faculty of Education.
Dissertation: Multimodal literacy learning opportunities in one grade six classroom: Possibilities and constraints.
M.Ed. (Hons) (1995), Curriculum and Instruction. Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI.
Thesis: Using mental imagery strategies to improve reading comprehension in elementary students.
B.Ed. (1992), (K-8) with a major in music, Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI.
Courses
- Multiliteracies in Education (PJI) (EDU-322)
- Teaching the Arts: Visual Arts, Drama, and Music (PJ) (EDU-332)
- Teaching the Arts: Visual Art, Drama, and Music (JI) (EDU-333)
- Curriculum Foundations (EDU-414)
- Engaging Literacy in the Junior Grades (JI) (EDU-423)
- Engaging Literacy in the Intermediate Grades (JI) (EDU-424)
- Professional Teaching Seminar and Reflective Practice (EDU-488)
- Practicum II, Primary/Junior (EDU-490)
- Practicum II, Junior/Intermediate (EDU-491)
- Practicum III, Primary/Junior (EDU-492)
- Practicum III, Junior/Intermediate (EDU-493)
- Practicum IV, Primary/Junior (EDU-494)
- Practicum IV, Junior/Intermediate (EDU-495)
About
In addition to my teaching responsibilities and being practicum supervisor, I enjoy research topics that have to do with multiliteracies and curriculum. I have been doing research with visual journals in higher education, multiliteracies practices with education alumni, visual journals in content area literacy, and multiliteracies in the Ontario Social Studies curriculum. In these areas I look at a more holistic approach to learning and the supporting pedagogical knowledge and content knowledge that reinforce effective teaching and learning across all disciplines. I believe these understandings not only support and embody a Christian worldview, they also honour those who are uniquely positioned to contribute to and interpret the world around them. When I am not working I enjoy reading, camping, travelling and seeing the beauty of creation, playing piano, and of course, spending time with my fabulous family!
Research Interests
- Multimodal Pedagogical Knowledge (MPK)
- Holistic approaches to literacy (and learning in general)
- Teaching and assessment of multimodal texts (including skills, ability, and creativity)
- Integration of Multimodal Literacy Learning across subject areas
- “Classroom Curriculum” – how it can be responsive to students
- Making meaning as a community of practice
- Implications for practicum during Covid-19
Current Research
Current research projects: investigating how teacher candidates’ conceptions of content area literacy may be impacted by the affordances of multimodal literacy (print and non-print modes of communication) through the use of visual journaling; investigating how first-year teachers implement and assess a pedagogy of multiliteracies within their teaching and how a Christian worldview impacts these possibilities; how Covid-19 impacts teacher candidates’ practicum experiences.
Selected Research Publications
Visit the Research Publications page for selected publications by Dr. Terry Loerts.
Journal Publications
Belcher, Christina, and Terry Loerts. “Using visual journals as a reflective worldview window into educator identity.” International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal 15, no. 1 (2020): 1-14.
Loerts, Terry, and Christina Belcher. “Developing visual literacy competencies while learning course content through visual journaling: teacher candidate perspectives.” Journal of Visual Literacy 38, no. 1-2 (2019): 46-65. DOI: 10.1080/1051144X2018.1564603.
Loerts, Terry, and Rachel Heydon. “Multimodal literacy learning opportunities within a grade six classroom literacy curriculum: Constraints and enablers.” Education 3-13: International Journal of Primary, Elementary and Early Years Education (2016): 490-503.
Loerts, Terry, and Christina Belcher. “Engaging multiliteracies learning.” Literacy Information and Computer Education Journal (LICEJ) 6, no. 4 (2015): 2094-2102.
Loerts, Terry, and Christina Belcher. “Pre-Service and In-Service Teacher’s Conceptions of Literacy: Continuing the Journey into Multiliteracies.” In International Conference on Education Proceedings 2015, edited by C. Shoniregun & G. Akmayeva, 351-354. Toronto: Infonics Society, June 2015.
Book Chapters
Teeuwsen, Phil, Christina Belcher, and Terry Loerts. “Teacher education at Redeemer University: Christian foundations for a public good.” In Initial teacher education in Ontario: The four-semester teacher education programs after five years, edited by Julian Kitchen and Diana Petrarca. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Association for Teacher Education, 2022.
Selected Papers Presented at Academic Conferences
Loerts, Terry. “Staring down a charging bull”: Reconceptualizing content and disciplinary literacy through transmediation.” Paper presentation for the Pre-CSSE annual conference of the Language and Literacy Researchers of Canada. Annual Conference, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB (virtual this year due to Covid-19), May 2021.
Loerts, Terry. “Meaning Making and Power through Pedagogy: Ethical Considerations.” Paper for the Pre-CSSE annual conference of the Language and Literacy Researchers of Canada. Annual Conference, Western University, London, ON (Abstract accepted for cancelled conference presentation due to Covid-19), May 2020.
Loerts, Terry. “Literacy can be lived!” Transformative, multimodal responses to learning in higher education.” Paper presented at the Canadian Society for the Study of Education. Annual Conference, University of Regina, Regina, SK, May 2018.
Loerts, Terry, and Christina Belcher. “Beyond what is known: Pushing the limits to engage in visual literacy learning in higher education.” Paper presented at the Canadian Society for the Study of Education. Annual Conference, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, May 2017.
Loerts, Terry, and Christina Belcher. “Pre-service and in-service teacher’s conceptions of literacy: Continuing the journey into multiliteracies learning.” Paper presented at the Canada International Conference on Education. University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, June 2015.
Loerts, Terry. “Classroom curriculum: Constraints on multimodal literacy learning opportunities within the context of high-stakes testing in Ontario.” Paper presented at the Canadian Society for the Study of Education. Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, June 2014.
Loerts, Terry. “Does it have to be real?” Negotiating boundaries for what counts as teaching and learning.” Paper presented at the Pre-CSSE conference of the Language and Literacy Researchers of Canada. Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, May 2014.
Research Funding
SSHRC Explore Grant: $2500.00 (for research with Dr. Carol Doyle-Jones on Teacher Conceptions and Realizations of Multiliteracies in Ontario Social Studies Curriculum), 2019-2020
Grant in Aid of Publication: $255.20 (for the article: Loerts, T., & Belcher, C. “Developing visual literacy competencies while learning course content through visual journaling: Teacher candidate perspectives.” Journal of Visual Literacy (2019). DOI: 10.1080/1051144X2018.1564603.), 2018-2019
Internal Research Grant: $1905.84 (for research with Dr. Carol Doyle-Jones on Teacher Conceptions and Realizations of Multiliteracies in Ontario Social Studies Curriculum), 2017-2018
Internal Research Grant: $1500.00 (For research with Dr. Belcher on Teacher Practice and Worldview Implications of Multiliteracies Use by Redeemer University College Alumni), 2015-2016
Internal Research Grant: $650.00 (For research with Dr. Belcher on Multiliteracies Learning: Do first year teachers translate theory into practice?), 2014-2015
Internal Research Grant: $1,000 (For research with Dr. Belcher on Visual Journals as Literacy Learning: A Pedagogy of Multiliteracies), 2013-2014