I joined the University of Otago as a lecturer in 2000 having previously taught as a primary school teacher for twenty years in Dunedin, Auckland and London and Cambridge in the United Kingdom.
In May 2015 I graduated with my Doctorate in Education. My qualitative thesis underpinned by critical theory examined how to support preservice teachers' critically reflective practice using dialogue around their videotaped teaching practice. I employed HyperRESEARCH a qualitative data analysis tool and critical discourse analysis (CDA) to analyse how our dialogue did, or did not support shifts in preservice teacher's critically reflective practice as they discussed their videotaped teaching practice.
My current research platform includes projects around future focused literacy practices, critically reflective practice and in examining how the use of video supports preservice teachers to make theory to practice and practice to theory connections.
Teaching area
Professional practice papers in the undergraduate primary teacher education programme and Master of Teaching and Learning Programme (primary)
Literacy within a Bachelor of Arts paper
Research interests
Critical Literacy
Critical Multiliteracies
Reflective Practice
Teacher Education
Postgraduate supervision
I have been a co-supervisor for EDUC and EDUX 490 and 590 papers focused around literacy.
Awards
2015 Doctorate of Education awarded with Distinction. My thesis is listed under the 2014 'Exceptional Doctoral Theses in the Division of Humanities':
Wells, T., Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. (2023). Bridging the theory-practice divide in teacher education through process drama pedagogy: “You fully experience what you're learning”. Teaching & Teacher Education, 124, 103993. doi: 10.1016/j.tate.2022.103993
Journal - Research Article
Wells, T., Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. (2023). Metaxis moments prompted by authentic questions in primary classroom contexts. Research in Drama Education, 28(2), 195-209. doi: 10.1080/13569783.2022.2064738
Journal - Research Article
Wells, T., Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. (2023). Learning "what it's like to be someone else apart from yourself": Developing holistic empathy with process drama. Pedagogy, Culture & Society, 31(4), 809-825. doi: 10.1080/14681366.2021.1949633
Journal - Research Article
Tilson, J., & Sandretto, S. (2022). “I haven’t earned the right to just play around with my literacy programme”: Strategies, tactics and policy actors/subjects. English Teaching, 21(2), 143-155. doi: 10.1108/ETPC-11-2020-0152
Journal - Research Article
Sandretto, S., Tilson, J., & Shafer, D. (2022). Critical literacy praxis in Aotearoa New Zealand. In J. Z. Pandya, R. A. Mora, J. H. Alford, N. A. Golden & R. S. de Roock (Eds.), The handbook of critical literacies. (pp. 117-124). New York, NY: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003023425-13
Chapter in Book - Research
Wells, T., Sandretto, S. & Tilson, J. (2021, July). Enhancing students' holistic empathy through process drama pedagogy evidenced in writing. College of Education Seminar Series. University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].
Other Research Output
Kershner, R., Hennessy, S., Tilson, J., Slakmon, B., Calcagni, E., Kerslake, L., … Trevethan, H., Sandretto, S., & Seleznyov, S. (2019). T-SEDA: A flexible research-informed PD approach to teacher inquiry into dialogue. Proceedings of the 18th Biennial Conference of the European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI). (pp. 326-327). Retrieved from https://www.earli.org/book-abstracts
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. (2019). "I haven't earned the right to just play around with my literacy programme": When tactics fail. Te Hā o te Takata: Proceedings of the New Zealand Association for Research in Education (NZARE) Conference. SAN19148. Retrieved from http://www.eenz.com/nzare19/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Sailors, M., Aguirre, S. H., Alvermann, D., Duran, L., Dwyer, B., Graeber, L., … Sandretto, S., … Tilson, J., … Zimmermann, B. (2018, July). Conducting literacy research for social change with ILA's literacy research panel. Panel discussion at the International Literacy Association Conference, Austin, USA.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Sandretto, S., Tilson, J., & Trevethan, H. (2018, October). Building a collegial dialogue about dialogue. Workshop presentation at the Teaching and Learning Symposium: Rebuilding Your Ship at Sea: Cultivating Identity, Integrity, Community and Collegiality in Times of Change, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. (2017). Discursive constructions of literacies: Shifting sands in Aotearoa New Zealand. Discourse: Studies in the Cultural Politics of Education, 38(2), 222-234. doi: 10.1080/01596306.2015.1075472
Journal - Research Article
Tilson, J., Sandretto, S., & Pratt, K. (2017). Connecting theory to practice: Using preservice teachers' beliefs, theories and video-recorded teaching to prompt a cycle of praxis. Teaching & Teacher Education, 67, 454-463. doi: 10.1016/j.tate.2017.07.012
Journal - Research Article
Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. (2016). Complicating understandings of students' multiliterate practices with practitioner inquiry. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 60(1), 63-70. doi: 10.1002/jaal.524
Journal - Research Article
Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. (2016). Designing curriculum literacies. Set: Research Information for Teachers, 2, 3-11. doi: 10.18296/set.0040
Journal - Research Article
Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. (2016). How to incite change in literacy policy and practice: Strategies and tactics for teacher educators. Proceedings of the Teacher Education Forum of Aotearoa New Zealand - Te Rauika Titohu Kaiako o Aotearoa (TEFANZ) Conference: How Best to Educate a Nation's Teachers? Debating Quality Teacher Education for Today and the Future. Retrieved from http://www.tefanz.org.nz/conferences/2016-conference/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. (2016). What do future-focused literacy practices look like in the classroom? Planning for curriculum literacies. Workshop presentation at the New Zealand Literacy Association 39th National Conference, Waitangi, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. (2015, November). Beyond the academy: Tracking preservice teachers’ literacy beliefs & practices. Verbal presentation at the 4th International Conference on Language, Education and Diversity (LED) Conference, Auckland, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Sandretto, S. & Tilson, J. (2015, April). Discursive constructions of literacies: Enduring and emerging discourses in Aotearoa New Zealand. University of Otago College of Education, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].
Other Research Output
Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. (2014). "The problem with the future is that it keeps turning into the present": Preparing your students for their critically multiliterate future today. Set: Research Information for Teachers, 1, 51-60.
Journal - Research Article
Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. (2014). Discursive constructions of literacies: Enduring and emerging discourses in Aotearoa New Zealand. Proceedings of the Joint Australian Association for Research in Education and New Zealand Association for Research in Education (AARE-NZARE) Conference: Speaking Back Through Research. Retrieved from http://aare-nzare2014.com.au/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Tilson, J. (2014, July). Supporting preservice teachers’ critically reflective practice using dialogue around their videotaped teaching. College of Education, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].
Other Research Output
Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. J. (2013). "Listen to the students a bit more": Bridging multiliterate funds of knowledge with student researchers. Proceedings of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting. Retrieved from http://www.aera.net
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. (2013, November). Myth busting with teacher research on the multi-literate practices of one student. Verbal presentation at the New Zealand Association for Research in Education (NZARE) National Conference: Creativity in Research: Generative Inquiries for Educational Futures, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. (2013). Reconceptualising literacy: Critical multiliteracies for "new times". Wellington, New Zealand: Teaching and Learning Research Initiative. 15p. Retrieved from http://www.tlri.org.nz/tlri-research/research-completed
Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report
Sandretto, S. & Tilson, J. (2013, September). "Listen to students a bit more": Bridging multiliterate funds of knowledge with student researchers. College of Education Research Seminar Series, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. [Department Seminar].
Other Research Output
Cameron, J., Juntrasook, A., Morrison, C., Nairn, K., Renner, S., Sligo, J., Tilson, J., Trevethan, H., Wass, R., & Anakin, M. (2012). Negotiating and sustaining academic writing groups. Proceedings of the Joint International Conference of the Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE) and the Asia Pacific Educational Research Association (APERA). Retrieved from http://aare-apera2012.com.au/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Prentice, S., Gray, K., Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. (2012, July). Weaving multiliteracies into your classroom programme. Workshop presentation at the New Zealand Association for the Teaching of English (NZATE) Conference: Words to Burn: Ideas to Ignite, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Anakin, M., Morrison, C., Nairn, K., Tilson, J., Trevethan, H., Cameron, J., Juntrasook, A., Wass, R., & Sligo, J. (2011). Collaborative academic writing group [Panel discussion]. In K. Shephard, T. Harland & A. Cohen (Eds.), Proceedings of the Spotlight on Teaching and Learning Colloquium. (pp. 18). Dunedin, New Zealand: HEDC, University of Otago. [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. (2011). Preparing students for multiliteracies: Looking to teacher research into the in and out-of-school multiliterate practices of their students. Proceedings of the 17th Biennial Conference of the Australasian Human Development Association (AHDA). (pp. 84). Retrieved from http://www.otago.ac.nz/ahda2011/
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. (2011, July). Teachers conducting research into the in and out–of–school multiliterate practices of their students: What can we learn? Verbal presentation at the Australian Literacy Educators' Association (ALEA) National Conference, Melbourne, Australia.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Tilson, J. (2010, September). An exploration of the use of videotaped teaching and collaborative discussion to support preservice teachers to critically reflect on their emerging teaching practice. Verbal presentation at the University of Otago College of Education Researching Professionals Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Tilson, J., Anstey, M., Bull, G., McDowell, S., & Sandretto, S. (2010, July). Exploring the theory, practice and policy of multiliteracies: An international workshop. Verbal presentation at the 23rd International Reading Association (IRA) World Congress, Auckland, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Sandretto, S., and the Critical Literacy Research Team, including Tilson, J. (2006). Extending guided reading with critical literacy. Set: Research Information for Teachers, 3, 23-28.
Journal - Research Article
Sandretto, S., & Tilson, J. (2006, July). Infusing critical literacy into teacher education: A teaching/research nexus case study. Verbal presentation at the Teacher Education Forum of Aotearoa New Zealand Biennial Conference, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Sandretto, S., Tilson, J., Hill, P., Howland, R., Parker, R., & Upton, J. (2006, April). Collaborative self-study research on critical literacy practices: Research practices as texts. Verbal presentation at the American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Sandretto, S., Tilson, J., Hill, P., Upton, J., Howland, R., & Parker, R. (2006). A collaborative self-study into the development of critical-literacy practices: A pilot study. Wellington, New Zealand: Teaching & Learning Research Initiative. 39p.
Working Paper; Discussion Paper; Technical Report
Sandretto, S., Tilson, J., Hill, P., Upton, J., Howland, R., & Parker, R. (2005). Critical literacy as research process and product. Proceedings of the New Zealand Association for Research in Education National Conference. [CD-ROM], (pp. 119). [Abstract]
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Senior Lecturer