Expanding Education Through Technology-Based Community-Engaged Research: A School-Community-University Bilingual Youth Media Project

• In Event: 66.033 - Rich Approaches to Assess and Promote Technology Integration

Abstract

This paper examines practical findings and evidence of student learning from a participatory action research, bilingual Youth Media Program. This curriculum-based program connects bilingual students and teachers in the U.S. with peers in a multilingual after-school program in Spain. Through the use of new technologies and multiliteracies (Cope & Kalantzis, 2009), the program helps teach for democracy (Share & Thoman, 2007), and engages researchers, graduate and undergraduate students from the local universities. Findings illustrate how students developed civic awareness and social agency, and an enhanced sense of voice and leadership abilities. Implications include how this community engaged technology-based partnership afforded mutual benefit and created opportunities to expand the boundaries of traditional classrooms into the real world; thus, promoting transformative learning.

Authors

• Deborah Romero, University of Northern Colorado

• Dana Walker, University of Northern Colorado