"Then You Go to Snap": Adolescents' Collaborative Literacy Practices Composing Digital Comics With Augmented Reality

• In Event: Augmented and Ambient Technologies to Support Embodied and Collaborative Learning

Abstract

This paper presents findings from a fourth iteration of a two-year design based research project focused on developing high schoolers’ collaborative literacy practices to compose digital comic interpretations of traditional literary texts. For this analysis, we examined six students across two groups who created digital comics on The Great Gatsby. Our analysis found that: a) embodied compositions layered the grammar of augmented reality (via Snapchat) and the grammar of comics; b) mobile technologies enabled youth to ascribe meaning to physical spaces; and c) out-of-school repertoires of practice supported student agency. We discuss the future incorporation of students’ repertories of practice and digital tools that facilitate student agency in school spaces.

Authors

• Daryl B. Axelrod, Florida International University

• Jennifer Beth Kahn, University of Miami