Composing Multilingual, Multimodal E-Books: A Study of the Digital Design Practices of Emerging Bilingual/Biliterate Pre-Kindergarteners

• In Event: Poster Session 5
  In Poster Session: New Perspectives on English Language Learning

Abstract

This paper examines how 19 emergent bilingual, prekindergarten students developed digital composing skills to create dual-language eBooks using touchscreen tablets (iPads) and digital photography, drawing, and eBook composing apps. Adult facilitation strategies included invitations, gestures, using children’s heritage languages, and foregrounding the multimodal functions of the tool. Children displayed increasing autonomy and agency across time, and participated in eBook events by moving between roles as writers, oral narrators, visual designers, technology explorers, and participants in composing-related play. The paper describes how eBook activities provide multimodal, multilingual entry points for student expression and literacy learning in ways that align with 21st Century policy and practice.

Authors

• Deborah Rowe, Vanderbilt University

• Mary Ellen Miller, Vanderbilt University - Peabody College

• Mark Barba Pacheco, Vanderbilt University