Term
Spring 5-8-2016
Capstone
Thesis
Degree Name
MALED
Primary Advisor/Dissertation Chair
Stephanie Reid
Secondary Advisor/Reader One
Rachel Lloyd
Peer-Reviewer/Reader Two
Alena Hyams
Abstract
The research question addressed in this study was, in what ways does the implementation of critical literacy impact the moral reasoning of adolescents? It documents one teacher’s use of action research to create a unit that integrated critical literacy methods based on the research of McLaughlin & DeVoogd with moral education methods based on research by Kohlberg. The author documents details of the unit and uses related research literature to construct meaning and validate the study. She describes the effectiveness of each critical literacy activity in terms of the impact it had on the moral reasoning of her students and provides some suggestions for improvements when necessary. She also analyzes responses to moral dilemmas before and after the unit to illustrate the changes that resulted from the unit. The study concludes that the implementation of critical literacy: 1) impacts the moral traits valued by students; 2) results in an increased student awareness of the complexity of moral dilemmas; 3) does not have a significant impact on the moral level of students when implemented for eight weeks or less.
Research Methodology
Action Research, Curriculum Development
Keywords
Character Education, Curriculum, Literacy
Recommended Citation
Gilbertson, Sierra Mae, "The Impact of Critical Literacy on the Moral Reasoning of Adolescents" (2016). School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Theses and Dissertations. 4113.
https://digitalcommons.hamline.edu/hse_all/4113