Positioning Theory as an Expansive Lens for Research on Digital Literacies

• In Event: Circling Back and Moving Forwards in Digital Literacies Research

Abstract

Positioning Theory proposes that all communicative interactions involve positions. Most studies of positioning and literacy foreground face-to-face communication, although scholars are increasingly applying Positioning Theory to digital communications. Given this emergent area, this poster provides a scoping review of published research that uses positioning to explore digital literacy, technology and literacy, or online/Internet literacies. The authors provide a discussion grounded in the results of the literature review, suggesting how Positioning Theory might be applied in investigations of literacy in a variety of digital contexts for research, teaching, and learning. These contexts stem from local to global contexts when considering issues of power and identity. These findings are significant because they demonstrate linkages that uncover the usefulness of Positioning Theory to expand digital literacies research.

Authors

• Mary B. McVee, University at Buffalo - SUNY

• Zhiyi Liu, University at Buffalo - SUNY