Board Member and Past President
Field of Study: Education
Member since: 2008 (and Board member since 2011)
What do your work involve and how does it intersect with visual literacy?
I am a tenured associate professor at National-Louis University and hold an Educational Doctorate in Instructional Leadership. My educational experiences include teaching in an urban special education setting, as well as teaching in the fields of Elementary Education, Master of Arts in Education and Educational Leadership doctoral programs. I currently teach in the Teaching Learning and Assessment graduate program. My focus is on visual literacy, collaborative group process, constructivist teaching, action research, teacher wellness, teacher self study, cross cultural education, service learning and alternative assessments.
The highlight of my career was in the fall 2018 as Keynote Speaker at Nagoya University of the Arts in Japan representing IVLA, National Louis University and Grasshopper Goods.
How did you become interested in visual literacy?
I have been a visual learner as long as I can remember, even before I could write. I use visual images to construct understandings and context. It’s these intersections of my professional experiences that shape who I am as a human and professional. Through self-study and visual work with teachers as well as the image of social media and visual impact impact my daily life.
What are you currently working on (feel free to describe a typical day)?
In addition to my role as an associate professor, I am also the Past President (2 terms) of the International Visual Literacy Association and a continued board member. I am extremely dedicated to this work as a visual learner. I am passionate about the impact photographic images and art can have on learners, emotions, context and depth of understanding. I believe that using visual images is one way to explore holistic practices, and construct new personal and professional understandings. It’s also my personal passion for visual imagery and art that gives meaning behind my business, Grasshopper Goods. The idea for Grasshopper Goods stems from my love of art , visual importance, beautifully handcrafted things and supporting artists in an experience economy.
What are you currently reading/writing/watching/listening to/ and/or curious about?
I’m curious about the exploration of photography, media and marketing related to Instagram practices. Also reading wellness texts related to help care for teachers and students.
What does the term ‘visual literacy’ mean to you?
The use of visual images is one way to explore holistic practices, and construct new personal and professional understandings. As our world becomes more and more integrated into a technological world, our references and understandings about image are critical.
Faculty profile for Dr Karen F. Tardrew
Select Publications
Presentations (recent highlights):
• Tardrew, K. & Bendito, P. (Aug 2022) -– Connecting and Sharing- Envisioning the Future of Visual Literacy – An International Online Juried Art Exhibition. Art walk presentation at the International Visual Literacy Association (IVLA), Jyvaskyla, Finland & Virtual.
• Tardrew, K.(Aug 2022) – Using Visual Metaphor for Educators: Creating Safe Spaces. Paper presentation at the International Visual Literacy Association (IVLA), Jyvaskyla, Finland & Virtual.
• Tardrew, K & Bendito, P . (Nov 2021) Seeing Across Disciplines (art exhibition) presentation at 53rd Annual Conference at the International Visual Literacy Association (IVLA) , Virtual Due to COVID – Hosted by University of Toledo.
• Tardrew, K. (Oct 2019) Applying the Visual for Teacher Transformation. A Pecha Kucha presentation at the International Visual Literacy Association (IVLA), Leuven, Belgium.
• Tardrew, K. (Nov 2018) Teacher Tableaeux: Why We Teach Now. A paper presentation at the International Visual Literacy Association (IVLA), Chicago, IL
• Tardrew, K. (Oct 2018) Visual Literacy Through A Collaborative Lens. Keynote Speaker paper presentation at the symposium: The Penetration of Visual Literacy, Nagoya University of the Arts, Nagoya, Japan.
Publications
• Pluymert, K. and Tardrew, K. (2024). “Moving through the continuum of online learning in the National College of Education,” in Transforming educator preparation for changing times, Muller, R. (ed.): Information Age Publishing.
• Tardrew, Karen (2023). Chapter 8: Using Visual Art Practices to Enhance Educators’ Professional Growth. In J. Kędra (Ed.), Visual Pedagogies in Higher Education: Between Theory and Practice, pp. 160-182. Brill.
• Tardrew, K. (March 2010) Teacher: A Portrait Study. Selected Readings Of International Visual Literacy Association – Spring 2010
• Tardrew, Karen. (2010). Book Review: Teacher Action Research: Building Knowledge Democracies. i.e.: inquiry in education: Vol. 1: Iss. 1, Article 4. Retrieved from: http://digitalcommons.nl.edu/ie/vol1/iss1/4
• Tardrew, K. (March 2009) Visual Teacher Reflections: What’s Teaching? Selected Readings Of International Visual Literacy Association- Engaging Creativity and Critical Thinking 2009.