Poster #62 - Code-Switching With Code: Exploring Bilingual Latinx High School Students' Making, Coding, and E-Crafting

• In Event: 79.052 - MTCC Poster Session 19
  In Poster Session: 79.052-8 - Informal Learning Environments Research Poster Session

Abstract

This paper examines how first-time makers, who are also bilingual, switch between two languages, Spanish and English, as they attempt to create both collaborative and individual multimodal pro-jects, facilitated through bidirectionally responsive design (Author(s), 2015). Bidirectionally re-sponsive design combines digital media design and coding with physically interactive artifacts cre-ated through microcontrollers, such as with electronic textiles, to create simultaneously interactive projects. As a result, learners engage in a wide variety of computing skills. Utilizing microanalysis, we focus on instances of peer interaction without adult participation during their coding and maker activities. Findings highlight that linguistic strategies are utilized with actions to help facilitate peer learning, collaboration, and cultural solidarity, amongst a group with diverse linguistic needs and uses.

Authors

• Robert William Ashley, The Pennsylvania State University

• Nakisha Whittington, The Pennsylvania State University

• Gabriela T. Richard, The Pennsylvania State University