Conceptual+Framework

We drew upon literature in critical literacy and participatory cultures for this project:

Critical Literacy:

Concerned with… How “actual and possible social practices and conceptions of reading and writing enable human subjects to understand and engage the politics of daily life in the quest for a more truly democratic social order” (MCLaren, 1991, xviii).

“Critical Literacies involve people using language to exercise power, to enhance everyday life in schools and communities, and to question practices of privilege and injustice (Comber, 2001)

Four Interrelated Dimensions of Critical Literacy:

Disrupting the commonplace: developing the language of critique, hope and activism Focusing on Sociopolitical issues: developing awareness of how power relations and political systems shape perceptions, responses and actions Interrogating Multiple Perspectives: Examining conflicting perspectives Taking action for social justice: engaging in reflection and action upon the world in order to change status quo

Participatory Cultures

Jenkins defines participatory culture as a media-creating and consuming community where people are invited to contribute freely. The culture may center around gaming, anime, fan fiction, podcasting or other form of digital media. Jenkins identifies several traits of participatory culture, acknowledging that some members will become more skilled than others, but that the act of engaging at any level is beneficial for members in that they engage in the creative process which has the potential to change the way they see themselves and others.

Traits of participatory cultures:

Relatively low barriers to artistic expression and civic engagement.

Strong support for creating and sharing one’s creations with others.

Some type of informal mentorship whereby what is known by the most experienced is passed along to novices.

Members believe their contributions matter.

Members feel some degree of social connection with one another (at least they care what other people think about what they created)