Microbiology Laboratory Benchspace Literacy: Gigapan Imaging Enhancing Linguistic Landscape Research

<p>The aim of this brief paper is to report on research that utilized Gigapan imaging technology to explore the usage of literacy in the benchspace of a microbiology laboratory. The paper addressed the following questions: 1)What genres are used in the bench space of a microbiology laboratory? 2)What are the functions of these genres within the microbiology laboratory? Results revealed a range of genres within the laboratory benchspace environment that fulfilled four functions: 1) Presentation of Visual Data; 2) Presentation of Procedural Information; 3) Constructing and Announcing Personal and Social Identity; & 4) Personalizing Science. These functions fulfilled the aims of conducting laboratory research and constructing personal, social and professional connections.</p>