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The development of lexical competence in foreign languages is one of the skills that presents difficulties in the teaching-learning process, as it requires stimulation and retention on the part of the student and creativity from the teacher. In this sense, digital resources emerge as a conducive means to promote new knowledge and consolidate acquired vocabulary. In this context, the present research aimed to determine if digital comics influence the development of lexical competence in English in virtual environments at the higher education level. Methodologically, an experimental design divided into three phases (pre-treatment, treatment, and post-treatment) took place with a sample of 60 students during the autumn of 2023. The results demonstrated an association between digital comics and lexical competence development variables, influencing lexicon acquisition, experiencing creativity, dynamism, and language involvement. Besides, comics supported by Canva, Makebeliefscomix, and Pixton applications contributed to students' cultural, linguistic, and communicative repertoire. Concurrently, users' confidence increased through gradual and systematic recovery, use, and inventive writing activities. Supports such as images, dialogues, characters, and colors encouraged the retrieval of words for subsequent use. In this way, the cognitive process of recall ceased to be merely memorising to transition to a level of long-term significant comprehension. In conclusion, digital comics were plausible for encouraging practical, flexible, and playful vocabulary improvement in a virtual environment.

Exploring the realm of literacy involves understanding how graphic novels shape students' reading and writing journeys. Through scholarly research, the authors delve into the significant impact of graphic novels on education while highlighting their appeal to students through visual features and engaging storytelling. Included is a discussion of lesson planning using eighth-grade English Language Arts and Reading (ELAR) Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) focused on exploring the role setting has on a character's motivations, values, and beliefs through the graphic novel "When Stars Are Scattered" by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed. This approach empowers students to become proficient readers and writers in today's visual society.

This study investigates elementary school teachers' perceptions of the appropriate proportions of cartoons for instructional purposes, with a focus on the Thai educational context. The research aims to shed light on teachers' preferences for cartoon proportions across different grade levels, contributing valuable insights into the effective use of cartoons in elementary school instruction. A questionnaire-based approach was employed to gather data from 78 elementary school teachers. The study found that teachers held a positive perception of cartoons as effective tools for teaching primary school students, with participants favoring distinct cartoon proportions for different grade levels. Notably, larger cartoon scales were preferred for early grades (Grade 1 and Grade 2), while smaller scales found favor with older students in Grades 4, 5, and 6. These findings highlight the nuanced considerations educators make when integrating cartoons into their instructional materials and underscore the potential of cartoons to enhance the quality of elementary school education.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the activities that children engage in with technology. In this direction, preschool children's ownership of technological devices, which devices they own and what they do with these devices were examined. This study was designed as qualitative research. The study group consisted of 34 preschool children studying during the 2023-2024 academic year. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews. The results of the study revealed that most of the children have a device at home and these devices are mostly tablets, and by smartphones. It was determined that almost all the children played digital games and the games varied. It was seen that all the children participating in the study watched cartoons, and most children watched YouTube. It was concluded that many of the children participating in the study did not watch TikTok. A thorough examination of the content they watched revealed the coexistence of appropriate and inappropriate materials. Therefore, informing parents about parental lock and similar applications that can be installed on devices, and preparing guides, books, seminars, etc. on the use of technology for parents were suggested.

This interdisciplinary, conceptual analysis addresses the nature and benefits of artistic processes in learning and work. While recognizing various forms of artistry, the emphasis is on visual-spatial thinking. The benefits of this kind of thinking in academic and professional activities include the simplification of massively complex writing, improvement of psychological functioning, and the magnification of creative work in various professions, especially in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Visual-spatial thinking also is a strength that often helps twice-exceptional individuals overcome their learning difficulties. Several thinking and learning strategies are explored, including visual data animation, concept cartooning, visual metaphor, and musical translation of written material. Some ways that visual-spatial thinking can help overcome the problems generated by dogmatic school reform also are scrutinized.

Purpose: The paper shows the interpretive impact of different constructions of the point of view available to the reader/viewer in book and animated movie versions of a children's picture book, a novel for pre-adolescents/early teenagers, and a graphic novel for adolescents and adults. Design/Approach/Methods: Excerpts from book and animated movie versions of the same story are compared using multimodal analysis of interpersonal meaning to show how the reader/viewer is positioned in relation to the characters in each version, complemented by analyses of ideational meaning to show the effect of point of view on interpretive possibilities. Findings: Focusing mainly on multimodal construction of point of view, the analyses show how interpretive possibilities of ostensibly the same story are significantly reconfigured in animated adaptations compared with book versions even when the verbal narrative remains substantially unchanged. Originality/Value: The study shows that it is crucial to students' critical appreciation of, and their creative contribution to, their evolving digital literary culture that in this new era of educational technology, attention in literacy and literary education focuses on developing understandings of digital multimodal narrative art, and that animated movie adaptations are not presented pedagogically as isomorphic with, or simply adjunct to, corresponding book versions.

The present article highlights the views of Slovenian language teachers on the introduction of comics in literature lessons in primary school. We were interested in Slovenian language teachers' views on the introduction of comics as an art-literary type of text as part of the literature curriculum as well as the use of comics as a literary-didactic method in literature classes. This was investigated via a questionnaire, which was fully completed by 121 Slovenian language teachers of the first to the ninth grade. The results show that factors such as gender, educational period taught, professional experience, field of study, highest level of completed education, source of skills related to the introduction of comics in the classroom, teachers' reading habits and attitudes towards reading comics, and agreement with stereotypical claims about comics per se have no influence on teachers' attitudes towards the use of comics in the forms studied. However, their attitudes towards the use of comics in the classroom are influenced by certain stereotypical attitudes of teachers towards comics. The most important limitation of our research was also the most important finding: teachers are neither empowered to introduce and use comics as an art-literary type of text in the literary curriculum, nor are they able to use comics as a literary didactic method in literature classes. There is a great need for teacher training and teachers should be empowered to use and introduce comics in all forms.

Technological developments in various fields are the key to progress in the digital era. The utilization of technology-based learning media in education makes learning more interactive and supports independent learning. This study aims to develop and test the practicality and effectiveness of storyline-based nervous system e-comics media to support students' independent learning. This research uses the Research and Development (RnD) method with the Lee & Owen model, consisting of the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation stages. The research was conducted with the subjects in this study, class XI MIPA SMA Negeri 2 Malang students, totalling 60 people. A pre-experimental design of one group pretest-posttest was used to test the effectiveness of the media. Data were collected through questionnaires and tests. The media validation results obtained 100%, material validation 100%, and student response results 98.7% in the class trial. The effectiveness test used a Pretest-Posttest Control Group Design. The results showed a significant difference between the posttest of both classes with Sig. (2-tailed) 0.00 <0.05, there is a significant difference between the control and experimental classes. Storylinebased nerve e-comic media can facilitate independent learning more interestingly and interactively.

The aims of this study were to synthesize and evaluate the learning model in gamification environment together with cartoon animation media to promote students' creative problem-solving skills. This study was divided into three phases, (i) synthesized and evaluated the appropriateness of learning model (ii) developed cartoon animation and (iii) assessed creative problem-solving skills. The results show that the learning model consisted of three main components: teaching component, gamification environment, and activities to promote creative problem-solving. The overall suitability assessment of the developed learning model was averaged at 4.69 (SD = 0.46) out of 5, being at the most appropriate level and the scores of the students' post-learn creative problem-solving skills assessment were significantly higher than the criteria at the level 0.05. These results lead to a conclusion that the learning model in gamification environment together with cartoon animation media can significantly promote students' creative problem-solving skills and can be applied to develop desired learners' achievements and skills.

It is well known that a quality teacher education is necessary for qualified education. Teachers must be well-trained in multiple areas and have an open-minded structure. They must develop strategies based on the lesson and students, which needs effective material development and use. The materials to be used could be prepared by others and can be incorporated into the classroom setting or teachers could design and present them to students, which is essential for the quality of instruction. When a teacher creates and effectively employs instructional materials, his/her self-confidence will increase and teaching will be enriched and made easier. Comics is one of those materials enriching classroom. This study seeks to elucidate the perspectives and experiences of teachers who took course "The Use of Comics in Social Studies Education" on generating comics as educational materials. The instructor of the relevant course designed and implemented it for the first time in 2019. This is the first and only course of its kind in Turkey. It is an elective graduate course at Yildiz Technical University Faculty of Education, Istanbul, Turkey. The purpose of the courses is to introduce comics, explain the use of comics as an educational resource, and enhance the professional skills and competencies of teachers and teacher candidates. In this study, teachers who completed the course at the master's level were examined. The study group consisted of twelve social studies teachers who took the course between 2019 and 2022, when it was offered for the first time. As a qualitative study, interviews were utilised to collect the data, then analysed through content analysis. The research revealed that the course "The Use of Comics in Social Studies Education" contributed positively to the academic and professional experiences of teachers. It has been determined that comics, as a medium, had positive effects on the professional experience of the participants, such as increasing student motivation, enabling learning while having fun, facilitating permanent learning, contributing to the development of empathy skills, and encouraging the formation of reading habits.

Despite comics' popularity and cultural significance in Italy, its integration into Italian libraries has been slow, problematic, and uneven. This is reflected in the scarcity of academic research on the topic, which demands further in-depth exploration. In the context of Italian libraries, characterized by chronic underfunding and staffing shortages, comics might be perceived as a low priority. However, as essential cultural institutions, libraries must strive to reflect both the contemporary era and the evolving reading habits of their audience. Comics, in this regard, could prove to be -- and in part already are -- a critical resource, a 'booster' for libraries. This article aims to provide a broad and introductory framework for understanding the relationship between comics and libraries in Italy. It will specifically examine the challenges and opportunities associated with this incomplete integration, addressing specific issues such as cataloging, displaying, managing, and promoting comics collections. The first section will explore the historical context of the troubled relationship between Italian libraries and comics, in line with crucial international studies. Following this historical contextualization, the second part will examine the challenges faced by Italian librarians in creating and managing comics collections, including the enduring perception of comics as a medium primarily for children. The research employs a multifaceted approach, combining bibliographic analysis, an anonymous survey, and data from a conference co-organized by the researcher. This research examines the Italian library system's fragmented approach to comics. It aims to understand librarians' perceptions of the medium and how they integrate comics into their collections. It offers insights to enhance the dynamic relationship between comics and libraries in an evolving society.

In early 2021, the Schusterman Library at the University of Oklahoma-Tulsa satellite campus took a new step towards building a culture of interest by creating the Graphic Scholarship Collection. This new endeavor is a curated collection of graphic novels, primarily non-fiction, aligned with the academic programs on campus, as well as promoting University initiatives in diversity, equity, and inclusion. A new organizational structure for the collection materials and their circulation metrics will be examined in detail. There will also be consideration of the challenges of selection and acquisition by a mixed team of selectors, some of whom have no experience with graphic novels and who have to resolve contradictions between the new and existing library collections. New graphic scholarship initiatives and faculty-library partnerships will be explored. In addition to developing workshops and other learning activities around the collection, the library is partnering with campus faculty in creating original course content. The collection's development has already had an impact by building and strengthening bonds across the campus, and it aims to mirror the growth of the University community.

Classifying, naming, and identifying insects have been complicated topics among science teachers and students. This problem is due to the highly technical collection protocols, safekeeping procedures, the unavailability of appropriate learning resources, and the closure of school laboratories and facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using the remote learning setup, this study utilized Improvised Insect Traps (IITs) to provide an authentic learning experience in teaching and learning insect taxonomy at home. The study aimed to determine the effects of using IITs on students' self-efficacy beliefs and perceived levels of engagement. In this quasi-experimental study, 42 students designed and developed their improvised insect traps. Insect collection and classification were accomplished within four weeks. A 20-item validated survey questionnaire on self-efficacy and engagement levels was administered via Google Forms. Students' feedback was gathered using virtual focus group discussions and open-ended questions. Results revealed that IITs effectively improved students' self-efficacy beliefs (Z=0.033, p-value=0.022, g=0.68), while no improvement was noted in students' perceived levels of engagement (Z=0.143, p-value=0.188, g=0.07) in teaching and learning insect taxonomy. Moreover, students' feedback and responses were classified as Affordances or Constraints. Subthemes such as motivation, satisfaction, authentic learning, safety, and parental involvement were generated in the thematic analysis. Overall, this study found that the IITs activity is relevant in teaching insect taxonomy and delivering practical learning experiences among students in a distance learning modality.

This study attempts to analyze the innovation of learning media in elementary schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. This library and field research has the data collected from Google Scholar database concerning scientific articles about innovative learning media in elementary schools during the pandemic. The data were collected using the keyword "Innovation of SD learning media". They were taken from 359 data: 280 Indonesian version and 79 Inglish versio. The data were classified into Indonesian, Natural Science, Social Sciences, and Mathematics, Civics, and Thematic subjects.There are more technology-based media than non-technology-based media. The types of media used in this research are video media, games, books, PowerPoint, and concrete objects used in the six subjects focusing on research. Based on the frequency and quantity of instructional media, the researchers recommend that the Indonesian language subjects use books, videos, and concrete objects. In science subjects, video learning media, PowerPoint, and books are used. In social studies subjects, games, videos, and concrete objects are used. In the Mathematics subject, media games, videos, and concrete objects are used. In PKN (Civics) subjects, video learning media, ICT, and comics are used. In thematic learning, video learning media, games, and books are used.

This paper presents the findings of a qualitative study about the inclusion of arts-based assessment strategies in a 12th grade Israel education classroom. Students were tasked with producing a political cartoon that demonstrated their understandings of contemporary Israeli society. Data was collected from interviews and students' original artwork. The findings revealed that learning through the arts provided students with opportunities to think about and express their feelings about Israel in aesthetically complex and personal ways. The findings also demonstrated the importance of pre-assessment strategies like frequent exposure to the genre of political cartoons and conferencing before submission.

This paper presents a novel approach to teaching how vaccines work in the body, and introduces a community outreach project and activity we piloted with youth. Our Nuestra Ciencia program addresses scientific misconceptions among bilingual elementary school children in engaging and scientifically accurate ways. Utilizing analogies and storytelling, one of our lessons simplifies the complex microbiology concept of the mechanism of action of vaccines. We underscore the issue with conveying this concept through accurate visuals, supported by our research that revealed that less than 1% of cartoons available online accurately depict how vaccines work. The analogy we developed and showcase in this paper employs relatable characters: the virus as a robber, the immune system as a superhero, and the vaccine as a "most wanted" poster. The activities include a skit and storyboard session, enabling students to act out the analogy and create their own imaginative scenarios. By targeting young learners, this lesson aims to prevent long-standing misconceptions and empower future generations to make informed decisions about vaccination. Nuestra Ciencia offers a promising model for combating vaccine hesitancy and promoting public health through effective science communication.

This paper engages with Italo Calvino's lecture on Visibility, included in his last--and testamentary--volume "Six Memos," by understanding it in an educational and pedagogical key. While the question of pedagogy is expressly addressed by Calvino himself in his lecture, the interpretation here provided is not merely an application of his tenets but an elaboration on and an autonomous development of them. In particular, in the spotlight there is the intimate bond image-cum-writing which seems to preside over Calvino's insights and is here suggested as key to tackling the challenges of the contemporary mediascape and the "tautological vision" dominating therein. While a part of the educational discourse invokes "homeostatic" pedagogical solutions, namely the (ultimately confrontational) deployment of writing to compensate for the iconic ruling regime, this paper explores the possibility of a specific kind of visual education (instantiated by comics and Otto Neurath's Isotype), which combines the role of the image with some features traditionally attributed to the pedagogy of writing (e.g. the cultivation of abilities of abstraction, of reflection etc.). A pedagogy of figuration is, accordingly, proposed as an interruption of the tautological vision of the new media and as conducive to educating readers of the unwritten world and of the world of digital images, Mr. Palomar--the hero of Calvino's last novel--possibly being the archetype of this kind of (new?) readership. By referring to two influential notions in the contemporary debate in educational philosophy and theory, this pedagogy is finally interpreted in term of (visual) thing-centredness rather than (visual) subjectification.

The praxis article is devoted to the study of educational cartoon as an interactive method of teaching legal disciplines. The purpose of the article is to argue the usefulness of this methodology for the educational process (e.g., the development of critical thinking, increasing the activity of students when discussing educational tasks on the basis of cartoons, clarification of complex terms), to improve the image of the university (use of educational cartoons in universities during the week of the Faculty of Law), and explain how we assessed the effectiveness of this methodology through quantitative and qualitative methods. While it is a new approach in Russian Law schools, we draw attention to the universality of this methodology; as educational cartoons can be used in schools and across different university departments, and to the specificity of modeling of educational tasks in law, by providing specific examples of such educational tasks. We propose three variants of development of educational cartoons for the educational process at law faculties: (1) placing an order for special production of educational cartoons; (2) use of fragments of already existing cartoons; and (3) creation by the teacher of oral tasks on the motives of national fairy tales. The results of our research substantiate that the greatest effect of the proposed methodology can give only in the case of using for the preparation of educational cartoons national content, which is closest to the culture and mentality of students of a particular university.

Through auto-ethnography, this paper explores the use of critical visual methodologies as a pedagogical approach in teaching and learning development studies based on the author's lived experiences and living encounters as a development educator for the last two decades of his academic career. Specifically, the study unpacks the adoption of this critical pedagogy in classroom instruction as well as in the degree's community-based practicum program. Conventional and non-conventional visual literacy strategies were also covered and analyzed in the specific context of researching vulnerable groups and communities. The visual data that were explored by this qualitative inquiry encompassed visually oriented course tasks which include the production of photographs, audio-visual presentations, posters, editorial cartoons, and sociological cartoons, among others. In ensuring coherence and complementarity in critical visual methodologies in development education, there is a need to synergize critical constructs with c

Numerous researches support the widely accepted notion that the reading experience between digital and printed literature differs. This study intends to investigate if this applies to reading comic books and to assess any differences in learning comprehension. The research methodology includes a systematic literature review to frame research questions. Followed by a 'think-aloud protocol' experiment to answer the identified research questions. The experiment was conducted using a within-subject design with convenience sampling of 15 high school students to map their reading experience. It has produced data in the form of time taken for the reading, switching areas of interest, and repetition of words on the computer screen and print. The collected data was further analysed using a paired sample T-test, and Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test. The results indicated that off-screen reading exhibited a significant advantage over on-screen reading in terms of reading time. The study observed that readers took longer to switch between areas of interest on a computer screen compared to print, which further supports the belief of slower comprehension on screen. Furthermore, over 72% of the respondents reported encountering word repetition on screen in comparison to print media. The key contribution of this research is providing a novel approach for studying user responses through the think-aloud protocol experiment, which helps map the users' verbal psychological responses. At the same time, the study has a limited sample size as a constraint pertaining to considering the study for generalizability. This research emphasizes the importance of conducting studies involving verbal psychological responses alongside eye-tracking. This combination provides valuable insights into reader comprehension and aids in the development of tailored graphical interfaces for digital comic reading.

This study examined how well people can recognize and relate to animated pedagogical agents of varying ethnicities/races and genders. For both Study 1 (realistic-style agents) and Study 2 (cartoon-style agents), participants viewed brief video clips of virtual agents of varying racial/ethnic categories and gender types and then identified their race/ethnicity and gender and rated how human-like and likable the agent appeared. Participants were highly accurate in identifying Black and White agents but were less accurate for Asian, Indian, and Hispanic agents. Participants were accurate in recognizing gender differences. Participants rated all types of agents as moderately human-like, except for White agents. Likability ratings were lowest for White and male agents. The same pattern of results was obtained across two independent studies with different participants and different onscreen agents, which indicates that the results are not solely due to one specific set of agents. Consistent with the Media Equation Hypothesis and the Alliance Hypothesis, this work shows that people are sensitive to the race/ethnicity and gender of onscreen agents and relate to them differently. These findings have implications for how to design animated pedagogical agents for improved multimedia learning environments in the future and serve as a crucial first step in highlighting the possibility and feasibility of incorporating diverse onscreen virtual agents into educational computer software.

Parts of this contributing article for educators was taken from a presentation given on December 1, 2022, by Dr. Patrice J. Pinder in collaboration with the University of the West Indies' (UWI) Mona Faculty of Science and Technology who hosted a UNESCO sponsored Disaster Heritage Webinar, i.e., Disaster heritage -- Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO (jncunesco.gov.jm). The webinar presentation focused specifically on natural disasters such as catastrophic storms or hurricanes like the powerful Category 5 Storm--Hurricane Dorian, which hit the Bahamas' northern islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama on September 1, 2019. Hurricane Dorian caused major damages to homes and properties, and resulted in loss of lives. The presentation and this current paper were developed as educational advisory guides to give teachers and other education professionals ideas on how to help young children to cope after natural disasters. Thus, it is important for teachers to help young children (students) to undergo various coping mechanisms in order to build resilience. Using stories/storytelling sessions, games, and comic sketches are some of the suggested tools and strategies that can be used with young children to help them better cope after psychologically disturbing events like the Bahamas' Hurricane Dorian.

In January 2021 the author read "Hey, Kiddo" by Jarrett Krosoczka. The author connected on so many levels with this graphic novel memoir, and knew that it would speak to their students, as well. Krosoczka not only wrote "Hey, Kiddo," but he illustrated it, as well. The author states they knew the healing impact a book could have when a reader connected with characters, events, or themes. The author's high school houses the district's arts magnet school, and since the Inspire Grant proposal had an art focus, they reached out to the director of the magnet program. The author shared their ideas for working with the magnet classes to connect with students to participate in what would eventually become a multilayered event. The program was voluntary, and they ended up with approximately eighty students choosing to participate. The premise behind the grant was for students to know they weren't alone and to provide them with outlets for healing. The graphic novel format removed a literacy barrier and made the book accessible to students at many reading levels throughout the school. Once the books were delivered to students, small-group sessions with counselors were scheduled to take place two weeks out, allowing students time to read the book. Copies of the book were supplied to the school counselors, as well. The goal of the small groups was to provide students a safe place to discuss the emotional story and to process feelings and personal connections that arose from their reading. The grant also included a school visit with goats. Students of all grade levels, social groups, and ability levels sat side by side with staff to pet and groom the different animals. According to the author, they were one community healing together.

In this article, a native of Appalachia who has worked in secondary and post-secondary literacy education examines the ways that comics depict life in the region. Particular attention is given to the exploration of the paranormal found in the work of Brian Level, and Level serves as a first-hand voice in this researched work. Additionally, the author explores comics that focus the Appalachian region in terms of masculinity, roles of women, and domestic life, alongside other social norms. In sum, the author wishes to push back on limited and problematic visions of the region, and to comment on the ways in which Appalachian life is rich, diverse, and profligate with literacy practices. The strength of female characters, mysticism in the region, and dialectical distinctions all emerge as patterns from the author's reading across visual literature, and the beauty of the region finds representation as well as juxtaposition with imagery in counterpoint through comics work.

Disney, widely regarded as the dominant force in children's media and one of the world's most powerful entities, has always succeeded in attracting attention with the works it produces. In the context of values education, this study tried to uncover the stereotypes that Disney World's key characters reveal. The 2016 films Zootopia, The Jungle Book, Alice in Wonderland 2/Alice Through the Looking Glass, Finding Dory, The Big Friendly Giant, Pete's Dragon, and Moana provided the data for the document analysis method. The data were submitted to descriptive analysis that emphasized the dominant characteristics of the characters, followed by content analysis that investigated each type of character in depth. According to data collected from 749-minute films and animations, it was established that Disney's principal characters focus on two stereotypes. The first of them was the qualified character, followed by the heavenly character. According to the research findings, even though the qualified characters exhibited exceptional behavior, they were found to have some major flaws. On the other hand, it was revealed that, while possessing superhuman abilities, the divine figures needed humans.

The aim of the study is to reveal the experiences of social studies and science preservice teachers on the use of creative comics in the teaching of subjects related to environmental education. Since this study focuses on the pre-service teachers' experiences was used phenomenology design. A totally of 65 pre-service teachers participated in the study (35 social studies teacher candidates, and 30 science teacher candidates). Within the scope of the research, environmental education was given to pre-service teachers during one semester. This education process also includes creating and using creative comics in environmental education. Semistructured interviews and observations were used as data collection methods. Thematic analysis method was used in the analysis of the data. The results of the research show that creative comics can be used as an alternative teaching material in environmental education. According to pre-service teachers, creative comics enrich the learning environment. Results of the research, teachers need to pay attention to some issues for efficient use of creative comics. When using creative comics, teachers should keep students away from competition and negative criticism, which can negatively affect creativity.

The aim of the study is to reveal the experiences of social studies pre-service teachers on the use of educational comics in the teaching of subjects related to disaster education. Phenomenology design, one of the qualitative research methods, was used in the research. 30 social studies teacher candidates participated in the research. Pre-service teachers who participated in the research were given disaster education during one semester (12 week-2 hours). This education process also includes creating and using educational comics in disaster education. In the study, semi-structured interview and observation were used as data collection method. Thematic analysis was used in the analysis of the data obtained in the research. As a result, it has been revealed that social studies pre-service teachers see educational comics as a material that can be used in disaster education in line with their experiences. The pre-service teachers stated that educational comics is attracting attention, engaging participation, making it easier to understand. Pre-service teachers stated that educational comics contain limited information, and takes time to create and use.

This study attempted determining the impact of the problem-based learning method supported by cartoons, which are humorous elements, in fourth-grade Social Studies course on students' perceptions of their problem-solving skills and their level of achievement. Accordingly, the study is quasi-experimental and has a pre-test post-test unequalled control group design. The study group consists of 55 fourth-grade primary school students receiving education at a primary school located in Üsküdar, Istanbul. The cartoon-supported problem-based learning method was applied in the experimental group, whereas the standard Social Studies Curriculum was followed in the control group. The experiment lasted for seven weeks. In the collection of data, 'Personal Information Form', 'Problem-Solving Inventory for Children at the Level of Primary Education (PSIC)', and 'Science, Technology, and Society Learning Space in Social Studies Achievement Test' were used. The data obtained from the measurement tools were analysed using frequency (f), percentage (%), and various non-parametric tests. Based on the findings, it was concluded that the use of cartoon-supported problem-based learning method in teaching fourth-grade Social Studies course positively affected the students' perceptions of their levels of problem-solving skills and their level of achievement. [The publication year (2022) shown on the PDF is incorrect. The correct publication year is 2023.]

Environmental awareness has become an urgent and indispensable necessity to protect the environment from risks and threats. Therefore, this study aimed to reveal the effectiveness of using cartoons in developing awareness of protecting the environment from pollution among students with learning disabilities. The study adopted the true experimental method by taking a simple random sample consisting of 33 students with learning disabilities in the elementary stage in the age group (9-12) years in Najran region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The researchers prepared an attitude test, consisting of ten multiple-choice questions to measure the study sample's awareness of protecting the environment from pollution. The test was applied before and after the treatment on the control and experimental groups. Also, it was applied as a delayed test on the experimental group only. The results showed statistically significant differences in the post-test of awareness of environmental protection from pollution for the experimental group who studied using cartoons. In addition, there were no statistically significant differences between the post and delayed test of the scores of the experimental group on the environmental protection awareness test from pollution. The study recommended urging teachers of learning disabilities to use cartoons to deepen environmental knowledge among students with learning disabilities. Also, students with learning disabilities should be motivated to contribute and participate individually and collectively in protecting the environment, preserving its resources, and reducing potential environmental risks from environmentally unsound behaviors. Finally, the study suggests conducting more future studies examining the effectiveness of cartoons in developing different environmental education concepts.

The research aimed to determine the opinions of the students and the course teacher with regard to using the comic book prepared in accordance with a context-based scenario as teaching material for the science course. Phenomenology, one of the qualitative research approaches, was used for research purposes. A context-based comic book was used as course material for 12 hours in a class of 18 5th-grade students. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven students and a course teacher, following the implementation, using the interview forms developed within the scope of the current research. The data obtained from the interviews were analyzed by content analysis and classified under the themes of "Academic", "Affective", "Association with Daily Life" and "Comic Books and Humor". Pursuant to the results of the research, students, and course teacher declared the comic book as effective course material on the grounds that it makes the subject matter entertaining and understandable, facilitates learning, provides an opportunity for a permanent learning experience, provides an opportunity for individual learning, increases class participation, and supports the learning processes of students with literacy and language problems. Based on the results obtained, it has been suggested to use context-based comics in different units and lessons.

Electricity is a very important concept in learning Physics. Mastering this concept can make learning Physics meaningful and relatable to real life problems. However, literature indicates that students have poor conceptual understanding of concepts about electricity. The current research aims to improve Form 5 (aged 17 years) students' understanding of direct current circuits by using Concept Cartoons Worksheets. Concept Cartoons are A single-group pre-test/post-test investigation was carried out using seven Concept Cartoons Worksheets designed to address common conceptual misconceptions about direct current circuits with a total of 30 physics student participants. The seven Concept Cartoons were modified based on the Concept Inventory Test "Determining and Interpreting Resistive Electric Circuit Concepts Test (DIRECT). Concept Cartoons Worksheets were used to correct students' misconceptions about direct current circuits and to increase their level of conceptual understanding. The data collected were analysed quantitatively to obtain percentages, means, and t-test values. The descriptive statistics showed an increase in the level of student's conceptual understanding after the use of Concept Cartoons. The t-test analysis reported that the difference was significant. The results show that Malaysian students do have misconceptions about electricity concepts. However, Concept Cartoons Worksheets are effective to overcome students' misconceptions about electrical concepts, specifically toward current circuits. Concept Cartoons are not only effective in overcoming misconceptions among students, they are also refreshing and unique because of the cartoons presented while relating to Physics concepts that are abstract.

This study was designed to examine the development of pre-service teachers' knowledge of concept cartoons for three years within the scope of the courses they took. For three years, pre-service teachers took courses in scientific research methods, instructional technologies and material development, special teaching methods and teaching practice. During these lessons, the learning levels of pre-service teachers towards concept cartoons were examined. In the analysis of the data, the concept cartoons evaluation rubric and the concept cartoons application observation chart were used. Although they were not able to prepare concept cartoons and make applications at the expert level, it was concluded that the education the pre-service teachers received was effective. It is thought that arrangements are necessary to ensure the continuation of communication between teachers and lecturers.

Purpose: The Samuel Paty murder has generated a great response from the professional community and the world of education and schools in Europe and worldwide. In a unique way, civic educators expressed horror, sorrow, and solidarity with the family and with their French colleagues. The article is dedicated to Samuel Paty and the question of whether and how we as a community of international civic educators can learn from this terrible event. Design/methodology/approach: The article presents a case reconstruction using press and public documents attempting to disentangle the actors' positions, their stated intentions and contexts, and the following political intricacies of the case. Findings: The murder of Samuel Paty provoked a series of educational policy reactions that have paradoxical effects on civic education in schools, seen its intentions of political-social inclusion into a citizenship model. The case analysis documents the pitfalls of the instrumentalization of civic education for the securitization of societies.

To constitute awareness of climate change, hearing the solutions of students in their words and seeing visual products by creating experiences in schools is vital. This case study was limited to sequential implementations of climate change in the natural sciences teaching process in 5th grade. After an education process on using Pixton, 12 students transformed their learning into digital comics. This research aimed to reveal the problems created by students through digital stories about climate change, solutions they suggested for climate problems, and aesthetic subtleties they applied to express themselves. Digital comics created by students, researcher notes, observations, and students' view forms were used as data collection tools. Finally, vital solutions to problems such as global climate change, pollution, destruction of the natural environment, and extinction of living creatures were created by students during this case. Important solutions consisting of preventing global warming, making peace with nature, vital measures and efforts to protect the soil were suggested. Besides, interesting aesthetic subtleties such as storification, positioning of the characters, place preferences, expression of emotions, and time depiction were applied. Teachers can use comics to see students' tendencies, raise awareness, encourage them, and help them develop solutions for current socioscientific problems.

This research aims to: (1) develop a feasible Android-based comic media of Gajah Mungkur Dam, and (2) reveal the effectiveness of the developed comic media in improving mathematical representation and critical thinking abilities on the materials of work and energy. The research subjects are senior high school students, consisting of 262 students for the empirical testing, 36 students for the limited trial, and 72 students for the field trial. This research is research and development applying the 4D model, consisting the stages of definition, design, development, and dissemination. The research instrument includes a validation sheet, evaluation sheet, questionnaire, lesson plans, comic media, and mathematical representation and critical thinking ability tests. The developed comic media contains an introduction, comic's work and energy materials, users' manual, instructional video, and discussion column. The data analysis used the MANOVA test. The finding shows that the developed Android-based comic media of Gajah Mungkur Dam is feasible to use with the assessment score of 3.70 or in a very good category from the validator, and score of 3.10 or in a good category from students in the limited trial. The MANOVA test result shows that there is a significant difference between the control class and experimental class. The developed comic is effective in improving mathematical representation ability in the small effect category and in improving critical thinking skill in the medium effect category.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of using manga comics in Linear Algebra course on elementary mathematics teacher candidates' attitudes and achievement towards the course. Pre-test-post-test control group experimental design was used in the study. The study was conducted with 48 elementary mathematics teacher candidates' taking Linear Algebra 1 course. In the study, the experimental group received lessons that were taught under the guidance of the researcher using the Linear Algebra Manga Guidebook. On the other hand, the control group received lessons taught by the researcher using the traditional teaching method. In this 8-week study, Attitude Scale towards Linear Algebra Course and Linear Algebra Course Achievement exam prepared by the researchers were applied as pre-test and post-test. At the end of the study, a significant difference was obtained between the attitude towards linear algebra course and achievement scores of the experimental group and the control group in favour of the experimental group.

The graphic novel "Invisible" (2022) by Christina Diaz Gonzalez and Gabriela Epstein demonstrates that adolescents can create a positive difference in the world and build friendships with people different from themselves. The novel's themes, nonlinear chronology, and innovative bilingual format make "Invisible" significant and linguistically inclusive. In this "Breakfast Club" (Hughes, 1985) remix, five eighth-grade students with Latina/o heritage grow to know one another and themselves through service hours. English Language Arts teachers can cover ELAR TEKS with "Invisible." Suggested strategies include author study, process drama, cultural x-rays, writing prompts, videos about language, and family interviews. Gonzalez and Epstein's empowering and engaging narrative, told in English and Spanish, merits academic study and a place in required or independent reading.

The development of photo-based digital comics is one of the fastest-growing digital media and is in great demand. This learning medium is an innovative blend of visual arts and education that offers tremendous potential in stimulating interest in and understanding of complex materials. The importance of understanding disaster mitigation in modern environmental and social challenges cannot be ignored. Drama, as a rich form of cultural expression, allows us to reflect on human life, social relations, and the challenges faced by society. Disaster mitigation is becoming increasingly important to deal with real threats due to climate change and society's vulnerability to natural disasters. This learning concept is especially effective for students who need an innovative and interesting approach. The development of photo-based digital comics as teaching materials is very interesting. Combining visual elements from photographs with strong narratives, digital comics will be able to present complex materials in an easy-to-digest form. This approach provides a great opportunity to convey information on learning and the importance of disaster mitigation in a way that is closer to students' daily lives, resulting in more authentic and embedded learning. This research focuses on efforts to develop teaching materials that are communicative, not boring, effective, and applicable to support creativity and increase students' understanding of social problems identified in society.

The study was conducted to create awareness about environmental literacy as part of the 17 sustainable development goals and mitigate environmental challenges at the primary school level. To achieve this, the study examined primary school teachers' perceptions of picture books and animated cartoons as learning resources to create awareness; investigated the learning resources available and employed in primary schools for teaching/learning environmental-related topics; and highlighted the inhibitors of learning resources of picture books and animation cartoons. The study adopted a descriptive research of the survey type using quantitative method. A total of 60 primary school teachers in Ekiti State, Nigeria participated in the study. A questionnaire and a checklist were used for data collection. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistics. Findings revealed that respondents have positive perceptions of picture books and animated cartoons. The findings showed learning resources that were available, unavailable, utilized, and unutilized in teaching and learning of environmental-related topics. The findings also revealed inhibitors to the use of picture books and animation cartoons. It was suggested that primary school teachers should employ picture books and animated cartoons as learner-friendly learning resources to broaden pupils' horizon about environmental sustainability in classrooms at the primary school level.

This study aimed to reveal the relationship between the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th-grade science course outcomes and the first season of the cartoon "Luna's Science World." The document analysis method was used in the study, which was designed with a qualitative research model. The study group of research consisted of fifty cartoons in the first season of "Luna's Science World." The content analysis method was used in the analysis of the data. As a result of the research, it was determined that except for three parts, all the topics covered in the cartoon were related to the science course outcomes. Additionally, it was seen that each of the episodes could be directly related to the outcomes of the Science course. This shows that almost all levels can benefit from the educational feature of this cartoon. From this point of view, as an educational cartoon "Luna's Science World" can be associated with related disciplines and used actively in learning environments, and their effects can be discussed.

The aim of this research is to determine the students' misconceptions of using concept cartoons and to evaluate the lessons taught with concept cartoons according to the students' opinions. The model of the research is the case study, which is one of the qualitative research methods. Participants are a total of 82 students, attending the 3rd grade (8 years old). Descriptive analysis method was used in the analysis of the data. Considering the results of the research, although most of the students chose the right character and stated the reasons for finding operational mistakes, it was determined the students who stated that they agreed with the characters in the wrong instruction and put forward reasons, most of which included misconceptions. For the lessons taught with concept cartoons, students; that they like concept cartoons very much, that they create curiosity and excitement in themselves, by using concept cartoons, they will not make mistakes, and even if they make mistakes, they will be able to realize and correct their mistakes by discussing with their friends and teachers, that the lessons cannot always be done with concept cartoons, that the teachers will make this decision stated as. As a result, it has been concluded that the use of concept cartoons is effective in identifying students' misconceptions and understanding their thinking processes, and that concept cartoons can be used easily in classrooms, increasing the interest and motivation of students, and enabling them to learn while having fun.

The article examines the influence of English movies, series and cartoons on students majoring in English at a university in Bangladesh. The objective of this study was to ascertain the potential impact of films, series, and cartoons on the acquisition of the English language and to determine the extent of their influence. This quantitative research centered on the English department located in Dhaka, Bangladesh. A set of questionnaires was employed to administer a series of inquiries to 140 students. The research uses both primary and secondary data sources. Primary data sources include surveys and interviews, while secondary data sources encompass journals, publications, previous research, and websites. This study has shown the significant impact exerted by English films, series, and cartoons on the EFL learners. The development of English language proficiency--reading, speaking, listening, writing--was noticeably improved. It is found that watching English series, cartoons and movies is a quick and effective way for EFL students to pick up the language. The approach functions as an audiolingual method, incorporating visual aids and facilitating situational language instruction. Moreover, the subtitles have been found to enhance both reading and writing abilities, as well as promote social interactions and foster a deeper understanding of the culture of native speakers. This research will also provide valuable insights for future scholars and researchers.

When the COVID-19 pandemic began to affect in-person schooling, teachers around the world expressed a balance of optimism for new possibilities in instruction along with trepidation at the challenges which lay ahead. Shortly after March 2020 and into the 2021 school year, even 2022 for some, remote instruction became the norm for many educators. As the pandemic persisted, the optimism teachers first exhibited began to wane considerably as several challenges to student access arose. These issues (e.g., Internet connectivity, crowded living spaces becoming workspaces, children and adults simultaneously working at home, etc.) pose significant threats to equity in education, and they ironically become troublesome in courses whose objectives include analyzing and discussing inequity in education. This article presents a modified retelling of an end-of-course discussion between a graduate student and his adviser after they spent a semester co-teaching in a remote setting. The dialogue includes positive moments of instruction as well as recognized challenges to equity. The article concludes with suggestions for further research on synchronous remote instruction.

In this paper, we analyze literacy practices and representations in the comic books genre produced by undergraduates taking the Rural Education degree. The research is based on literacy theories and is situated in the applied field of language. This is a participatory research, with a qualitative-interpretative approach. The corpus consists of texts from six examples of the comic books genre, and (transcribed) excepts from three interviews conducted with research collaborators. Because this genre has a union of different language systems (verbal and non-verbal), the research revealed traces of literacy that students have in their life experiences. As the research collaborators come from different communities located in rural areas, they present diverse and peculiar literacy practices and representations.

Despite empirical evidence from research showing that the use of text-picture combination is beneficial for second language (L2) learning, little is known about the effectiveness of reading comic books for incidental vocabulary acquisition. This study investigated the effects of engaging with comic books on incidental learning of L2 Italian vocabulary. Using a pretest-posttest design, we collected data from 35 Iranian learners of Italian as a foreign language, 25 of whom read and then read while listening to four comic books in a four-week period. Additionally, after reading each book, students completed two follow-up meaning-focused activities focusing on learners' unprompted use of vocabulary. The results revealed that engaging with comic books was beneficial for incidental vocabulary acquisition. The findings suggest that comics are a valuable and effective source of language learning, and their inclusion in L2 teaching and learning can be particularly advantageous to L2 learners, including novice learners.

This paper attempts to provide a new understanding of the gutter and how it is used to significant effect in Gene Luen Yang's, Boxers & Saints. This research draws upon the work of Scott McCloud to establish a framework for the theoretical applications of the gutter. Most prior research focuses on the gutter within the page. This article demonstrates how Yang pushes the concept of the gutter further by creating a new type of gutter that moves beyond the pages and across texts. Then the research attempts to demonstrate how the idea of the textual gutter heightens the transnational elements that define Boxers & Saints.

This article describes a qualitative study conducted by two researchers who are teacher educators and a literacy coach in a private school. The purpose was to determine the effectiveness of a set of strategies for reading and teaching about graphic novels by examining the responses of three elementary-grade teachers in a reading workshop environment to a semester-long professional development. Challenges both expected and unexpected were encountered but results overall were positive for teachers. In addition, they provided guidance to researchers for using the strategies introduced in the professional development in further studies.

The main aims of the present research were to: (1) describe the scientific outputs indexed in the Scopus and Web of Science databases, from now on WoS, regarding the use of comic books as didactic resources in the teaching-learning of the sciences, and; (2) establish the conceptual structure of scientific output regarding the use of comic books as didactic resources in the teaching-learning of science. A quantitative-bibliometric methodology was followed on a sample of 60 scientific documents recovered using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses strategy, from now on PRISMA. Findings suggest that the topic is still emerging given the novelty of the discipline and that published studies tend to be low impact in terms of the number of citations they receive. With regards to the conceptual structure, the most relevant themes and trends to emerge pertained to medical education, comic books and illustrations, and the use of mobile devices. Finally, analysis of the keywords used by the top 20 most relevant authors, it was possible to infer a degree of correspondence between sources, keywords and the continents responsible for the greatest scientific output on the topic.

This article is about what the future of reading looks like. Currently many districts across the country--including New York City--are adopting research-based methods called the science of reading that focus on mechanics. Leanne Ellis surmises the future of reading holds great promise if school librarians can promote, showcase, and advocate for a reading culture that is multimodal, multidimensional, and free of judgment. As educators, they speak about learners needing tiered interventions to support their learning; the same holds for creating lifelong readers--they need a tiered approach with format, fiction, misinformation, and artificial intelligence (AI) to engage and ignite learner passion for words, ideas, and inquiry.