Abstract

This paper is exploratory in nature and our research goal is to develop a conceptualization of “learning as community service” in a new media context. The setting for the study is an after-school program involving middle school children in a First Nations community. In the after-school program, children developed knowledge about (1) their community and (2) mathematics, and used digital media to share their learning stories as community service – that is, for the benefit of others outside of educational settings. Using a case study method, we investigate how our initial conception of “learning as community service” evolved as we worked in a new media setting. We discuss three ways in which our conception changed over time: (1) our focus on storytelling through students’ digital stories expanded to include live as well as online video performances of songs of their learning; and (2) our focus on individual student learning and identity shifted to negotiated identity and collective learning.

Citation

Hughes, J. & Gadanidis, G. (2010). Learning as Community Service: Thinking with New Media. Journal of Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia, 19(3), 287-306. Waynesville, NC USA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE). Retrieved August 31, 2024 from https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/33236/.

© 2010 Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)

Keywords

• middle school