Computational Literacy, Language, and Culture

• In Event: Multilingual and Multicultural Computer Science and Engineering Education

Abstract

Computational literacies are becoming increasingly necessary for full societal participation. However, little research considers the linguistic and cultural factors that shape diverse students’ development of computational literacies. This paper investigates how Latinx and multilingual students leverage their linguistic and cultural resources to develop coding and literacy skills. Data included interviews with Latinx and multilingual students, teacher interviews, and teacher co-design meeting notes. Results showed that students learned coding and language through their families and communities, students leveraged their cultural knowledge of storytelling to engage in computing, and students built self-efficacy through peer support. Findings from this pilot study shed light on how to mobilize Latinx and multilingual students' rich languages and cultures for equitable computer science learning.

Authors

• Sharin R. Jacob, University of California - Irvine
  Presenting Author

• Clare Baek, University of California - Irvine
  Presenting Author

• Mark Warschauer, University of California - Irvine
  Non-Presenting Author