Looking beyond Words

Book excerpt: In today's digital age, visual representation plays a significant role in shaping our world. This book explores the topic of visual research methods and their relevance to education. It highlights the use of visual media, such as images and videos, to enhance our understanding of complex concepts and phenomena. By integrating visual research into education, we can gain a comprehensive understanding of abstract ideas, leading to better retention and application of knowledge. Additionally, visual research methods provide multiple perspectives on social phenomena, motivating us to initiate social change. The book features contributions from scholars worldwide, who discuss various methodological perspectives and applications of visual research in education. Topics include visual inquiry methodology, techniques for analyzing visual data, and the use of photovoice. Each chapter reviews the literature on a specific visual method, addresses methodological challenges, strengths, and limitations, and explores its contributions to education research. Overall, this book offers valuable insights into the power and potential of visual research methods in education, providing a platform for scholars to share their expertise and promote the use of visual methods in educational research. Contributors are: Hendrik-Zoltan Andermann, Chang Cai, Yanli Cao, Helen Hanna, Qing Huang, Wei Jin, Guanyu Li, Ning Luo, Patrica A. L. Ong, Miao Pei, Hing Kwant To, Kwok Kuen Tsang, Ting Wang, Zeyu Wang, Ziaoyu Wang, E. Jayne White, Rui Xiong, Boris Zizek and Zhaolin Zhou.