A Multimodal Mindset: Examining 21st Century Educational Problems Through a Critical Digital Literacies Lens

Session Type: Working Group Roundtable

Abstract

Digital, multimodal game-based narratives have become ubiquitous and the potential power for integration into instruction is increasingly clear. In this working group roundtable, participants will explore how educational scholars can respond to and re-envision teaching and learning for the techno-centric educational landscape of the 21st century through integration of multimodal, interdisciplinary texts and practices. This interdisciplinary discussion will center on the innovative digital narrative, Inanimate Alice, a born-digital story for 21st century readers. Scholars representing diverse perspectives will discuss research examining digital literacies and multimodal texts to support engaged, inquiry-driven learning. This session will center on the theoretical and pragmatic implications for scholars and teachers as we grapple with the COVID-19 global pandemic, systemic racism, economic injustice, and environmental crises.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Technology, Instruction, Cognition & Learning

Chair

• Valerie Harlow Shinas, Lesley University

Papers

• Multimodality, Digital Literacies, and the Digital Divide - Kyle J. Stooshnov, College of the Rockies

• Examining Entropy and Complexity of Digital Texts - Amanda Hovious, Emporia State University

• Application of Multimodal Electronic Literature in the Classroom - Svetlana Kucina, Novosibirsk State Technical University

• Digital Narratives in the Teacher Education Classroom - Huijing Wen, Moravian University