Cultural studies in education: reflection on the production of meanings in the reading of audiovisual works

Abstract

This essay aims to discuss, in the light of Cultural Studies, the production of meanings in the reading of audiovisual works in the school context, especially from the perspective of researcher Stuart Hall. It starts from the position that the production of meanings undertaken by students has an active and multi-determined character. In order to broaden the debate on the subject, a discussion, intrinsic to Cultural Studies, about culture, identity, discourse, representation and meaning is presented as a basis. In this way, Cultural Studies allow for a greater understanding that the student's sociocultural experiences are essential for the construction of meanings in the readings of audiovisual texts. The notion of active production of meanings and its determination by the student's sociocultural context and position is widely observed in Reception Studies. Theories about media reception generate an understanding that the meanings produced by a group of students will be broad, given the diversity of their social positions and, when appropriated by teachers, allow rethinking the pedagogical practice of audiovisual use. The reflections generated based on Cultural Studies awaken educators to ask new questions, as well as to examine the discourses and knowledge and their implications for educational practice with audiovisuals.