Developing critical literacy in a PARFOR teaching practicum module

Abstract

This paper aims to describe a distance education experience that took place in a teaching practicum module of PARFOR (National Plan for Educating Primary and Secondary School Teachers) at the Federal University of Uberlândia. With the aim of promoting a discussion about race and ethnicity in Brazil, the materials and activities of this module were devised in a critical literacy perspective (KNOBEL; LANKSHEAR, 2011; COPE; KALANTZIS, 2012). The paper begins with a discussion of relevant issues concerning learning and literacy in distance education today, and then moves on to a brief description of this teaching practicum module. After an analysis of two tasks from this module, we conclude by reflecting on some of the shortcomings regarding the implementation of the course, and suggesting ways in which they could be overcome.