Dr. Terry Loerts

Education

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.

Research Funding

SSHRC Explore Grant (2019-2022): 2500.00 (for research with Dr. Carol Doyle-Jones on Teacher Conceptions and Realizations of Multiliteracies in Ontario Social Studies Curriculum)

Grant in Aid of Publication (for 2018-19) for the article: Loerts, T., & Belcher, C. (2019).  Developing visual literacy competencies while learning course content through visual journaling: Teacher candidate perspectives.  Journal of Visual Literacy.  DOI: 10.1080/1051144X2018.1564603.  (for the amount of 255.20)

Internal Research Grant (for 2017-2018): 1905.84 (for research with Dr. Carol Doyle-Jones on Teacher Conceptions and Realizations of Multiliteracies in Ontario Social Studies Curriculum)

Internal Research Grant (for 2015-2016): $1500.00 (For research with Dr. Belcher on Teacher Practice and Worldview Implications of Multiliteracies Use by Redeemer University College Alumni)

Internal Research Grant (2014-2015): $650.00 (For research with Dr. Belcher on Multiliteracies Learning: Do first year teachers translate theory into practice?)

Internal Research Grant (2013-2014): $1,000 (For research with Dr. Belcher on Visual Journals as Literacy Learning: A Pedagogy of Multiliteracies)

Recent Publications

Journal Publications

Belcher, C. & Loerts, T. (2020).  Using visual journals as a reflective worldview window into educator identity.  International Christian Community of Teacher Educators Journal, 15(1), 1-14.  https://digitalcommons.georgefox.edu/icctej/vol15/iss1/2

Loerts, T., & Belcher, C. (2019). Developing visual literacy competencies while learning course content through visual journaling: teacher candidate perspectives. Journal of Visual Literacy, 38(1-2), 46-65. DOI: 10.1080/1051144X2018.1564603. https://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/Qp4722ThSxqBriI5MrK9/full?target=10.1080/1051144X.2018.1564603

Loerts, T., & Heydon, R. (2016).  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, 1-14. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03004279.2016.1139608

Loerts, T., & Belcher, C. (2015). Engaging multiliteracies learning. Literacy Information and Computer Education Journal (LICEJ), 6(4), 2094-2102. http://infonomics-society.org/wp-content/uploads/licej/published-papers/volume-6-2015/Engaging-Multiliteracies-Learning.pdf

Loerts, T., & Belcher, C. (2015, June). Pre-Service and In-Service Teacher’s Conceptions of Literacy: Continuing the Journey into Multiliteracies.  In C. Shoniregun& G. Akmayeva (Eds.), CICE-2015.  Published Conference Proceedings from the Canada International Conference on Education, University of Toronto: Mississauga, (pp. 351-354).  Toronto, ON: Infonomics Society.

Book Chapters

Teeuwsen, P., Belcher, C., & Loerts, T. (2022).  Teacher education at Redeemer University: Christian foundations for a public good.  In J. Kitchen & D. Petrarca (Eds.), Initial teacher education in Ontario: The four-semester teacher education programs after five years. Ottawa, ON: Canadian Association for Teacher Education.

Papers Presented at Academic Conferences (Selected)

Loerts, T. (May, 2021).  “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)

Loerts, T. (May, 2020).  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)

Loerts, T. (May, 2018).  “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

Loerts, T. & Belcher, C. (May, 2017).  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.

Loerts, T., & Belcher, C. (2015, June). 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

Loerts, T. (2014, June). 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.

Loerts, T. (2014, May). “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.

Professional Affiliations

Canadian Society for Studies in Education
Language and Literacy Researchers of Canada
Royal Conservatory of Music
International Literacy Association