Conceptual Frameworks Overview
The conceptual framework outlines the factors, constructs, variables, and relationships in the research design (Grant & Osanloo, 2014) while reflecting these elements through ontological and epistemic theoretical lenses. Just as Horton and Friere (1990) suggest, and in post-phenomenological fashion, I have allowed this research to unfold as I go – always in a state of becoming. In this section I explore conceptual understandings of what it means to be a teacher educator, then examine the concepts relevant to open educational practices, and conclude with an exploration of the concepts of media and digital literacy. These conceptual frameworks will include a cursory link to trends toward globalization and pandemic related impacts to teaching in faculties of education. At the end of the conceptual framework section, I provide a crystallizing reflection, as a visualization of these theoretical and conceptual frameworks, since this may illuminate directions for the research methodology design of this dissertation.