“It’s not just a picture book!”: Expanding ideas of multiliteracies through the creation and assessment of a multimodal assignment

Authors

  • Claire Ahn Queen's University
  • Rebecca Evans Queen's University
  • Jane Chin Queen's University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26443/mje/rsem.v60i2.10216

Keywords:

secondary English Language Arts, multilitereacies, assessment, video annotation, digital picture book

Abstract

Grounded in a multiliteracies framework, this article interweaves the authors’ experiences through narrative inquiry, exploring the integrating of multimodal texts and multimodal approaches of assessment within their practice. The article is organized as a conversation between two educators and a former student, and is centred around a multimodal assignment in a secondary English teacher education class that asked teacher candidates to create a digital picture book and use video annotation in peer assessment. Our shared conversation highlights the importance of multimodal texts such as sophisticated picture books in the secondary English classrooms, as well as thinking about alternative multimodal approaches to assessment.

Author Biographies

Claire Ahn, Queen's University

is an associate professor of multiliteracies in the Faculty of Education at Queen’s University. As a former high school English teacher, part of her research focusses on exploring the integration of multimodal texts in secondary classrooms, specifically in English classrooms. She has researched and published on topics around the implementation of film analysis, the importance of critical digital and visual literacy education, the effects of media on people’s understanding of issues and events, and critical social justice education. claire.ahn@queensu.ca

Rebecca Evans, Queen's University

is an academic manager in continuing teacher education in the Faculty of Education at Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. She completed her Bachelor of Education in English and French, focusing on multiliteracies. Rebecca teaches history of education and environmental education in teacher education. She contributes to research and publishing with the Social Studies and History Education in the Anthropocene Network and Thinking Historically for Canada’s Future. Rebecca is on the Board of Directors for Beyond Classrooms Kingston, which offers civic learning for young people in community spaces. Her research interests include civic learning in community organizations, youth climate action, and outdoor learning. becca.evans@queensu.ca

Jane Chin, Queen's University

is an assistant professor in the Faculty of Education at Queen's University. Some of her work explores digital literacy, teacher education, and the evolving role of technology in learning. Before entering academia, Jane taught secondary English, where she observed the rapid growth of information and communication technologies (ICT) beyond school walls and recognized the need to bridge students’ digital lives with classroom learning. Her research and teaching focus on helping teacher candidates critically engage with digital spaces, examining how online environments shape literacy, communication, and identity. Dr. Chin is committed to preparing future educators to use technology thoughtfully, ethically, and creatively while fostering critical thinking skills that support meaningful participation in contemporary digital culture across educational and community contexts. jane.chin@queensu.ca 

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Published

2026-07-13

How to Cite

Ahn, C., Evans, R., & Chin, J. (2026). “It’s not just a picture book!”: Expanding ideas of multiliteracies through the creation and assessment of a multimodal assignment . McGill Journal of Education / Revue Des Sciences De l’éducation De McGill, 60(2), 210–227. https://doi.org/10.26443/mje/rsem.v60i2.10216

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