Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy
Volume 57, Issue 5, 2014, Pages 387-396

The role of digital literacy practices on refugee resettlement: The case of three Karen brothers (Article)

Gilhooly D. , Lee E.
  • a Language and Literacy Education Department, University of Georgia, Athens, United States
  • b Learning, Design, and Technology, University of Georgia, Athens, United States

Abstract

This study explores the social and cultural uses of digital literacies by adolescent immigrants to cope with their new lives in the United States. This case study focuses on three adolescent ethnic Karen brothers. Two years of participant observations in their home and Karen community, accompanied by formal and informal interviews, served as the data. Findings report the ways in which these adolescent's digital literacy skills serve them and their family throughout the resettlement process by facilitating: (1) the maintaining and building of co-ethnic friendships, (2) connection to the broader Karen diaspora community, (3) the sustaining and promoting of ethnic solidarity, and (4) the creation and dissemination of digital productions. We argue that the Internet facilitates these youth as they cope with the economic, educational, and social demands of resettlement. This study can inform teachers and others working with immigrant communities about the literacy practices of their students. FREE author podcast © 2013 International Reading Association.

Author Keywords

information literacy English language learners, English learners, English as a second language, English for speakers of other languages Specific media (hypertext, Internet, film, music, etc.) Digital/media literacies Instructional technology Literary theory Constructionism Sociocultural Critical literacy multilingualism Instructional strategies, teaching strategies Adolescence Information and communication technologies

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84898641586&doi=10.1002%2fjaal.254&partnerID=40&md5=7c49da9cda34925be24fb2dcc01d63dc

DOI: 10.1002/jaal.254
ISSN: 10813004
Cited by: 16
Original Language: English