Reclaiming and Remixing Their Stories: Amplifying Youth Literacies Through New Media Production, Distribution, and Invention

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

The teaching of media and digital literacies has gained increased attention in the past twenty years as a crucial element of public education. Yet scant attention is offered toward articulating a new, comprehensive theory of pedagogy and production that acknowledges the changing tools and technologies at young people’s disposal, conceptualizes young people as media producers, and applies these developments to today’s complex civic context. This session explores a new critical theory of multiliteracies that encompasses four types of digital engagement: 1) critical digital consumption; 2) critical digital production; 3) critical digital distribution; and 4) critical digital invention. The papers highlight how youth are harnessing new media tools to reclaim their stories and give their voices impact in the public sphere.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Writing and Literacies

Chair

• Nicole Mirra, Rutgers University

Papers

• Hip-Hop Lyric Writing as New Literacies, Therapy, and Healing - Christopher Emdin, Teachers College, Columbia University

• Supporting Youth Voice in the Digital Age: Preparing Oakland Youth to Blog - Erica Hodgin, University of California - Riverside; Joseph E. Kahne, University of California - Riverside

• Toward Critical Digital Invention: Building Critical Computational Literacy With Civic Imagination - Elisabeth M. Soep, Youth Radio; Clifford H. Lee, Saint Mary's College of California

Discussant

• Ernest D. Morrell, University of Notre Dame