Graphic Novels in the Classroom

I have some personal familiarity with graphic novels. Most of my experience with graphic novels was outside of the classroom, often for entertainment purposes. Until about a year ago, however, I never considered the application of graphic novels in the classroom. I have no personal experience with graphic novels being used in the classroom, and until recently couldn’t see the potential of using them in the classroom. I’d previously seen graphic novels as something that could be difficult to use in the classroom. From my perspective graphic novels could be potentially distracting and not engaging enough for some students. However, graphic novels can engage students in a way that more traditional texts cannot.

Graphic novels can be used in classrooms to help students that struggle with more traditional stories, engaging them through a medium that resonates more personally. This can help students that may struggle with reading, whether that struggle is because of a learning disability, difficulty understanding texts, or a general disdain for reading. By using graphic novels in the classroom, teachers are able to engage students that might not otherwise be interested in participating with the rest of the class.

Another advantage to graphic novels is the way subjects are presented. By using graphic novels, you are able to quickly look at the story being presented and keep the classroom engaged. Additionally, graphic novels often address topics and subject matter often found in what are considered more traditional texts. These can introduce students to more complex themes and ideas often found in stories like Beowulf, Frankenstein or Fahrenheit 451, but with the added benefit of presenting a visual aid for students. These aids can help all students better understand the premise of a given story, allowing the class to more quickly and readily engage in discussion of the text. Additionally, it allows students to engage the text in a medium they might be more familiar with.

While not a replacement for traditional stories, graphic novels can be an effective learning tool. As a future teacher, I am still unsure when and how to implement graphic novels in the classroom. However, I know with the right implementation graphic novels can be a useful teaching aid. Using graphic novels can help students learn and engage with the material, and can be especially effective at helping students struggling with reading.