ERIC Number: EJ902582
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Sep
Pages: 23
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1468-7984
EISSN: N/A
Young Children's Exploration of Semiotic Resources during Unofficial Computer Activities in the Classroom
Bjorkvall, Anders; Engblom, Charlotte
Journal of Early Childhood Literacy, v10 n3 p271-293 Sep 2010
The article describes and discusses the learning potential of unofficial techno-literacy activities in the classroom with regards to Swedish 7-8-year-olds' exploration of semiotic resources when interacting with computers. In classroom contexts where every child works with his or her own computer, such activities tend to take up a substantial amount of time. The children have access to a wide range of sites and programs and show an interest in discovering these resources. The article thus explores a previously often neglected site for learning, located in the official classroom context but involving self-chosen activities with contemporary technology. In terms of theory and methodology, social semiotic ethnography is introduced into the field of young children's techno-literacies. It is illustrated how a social semiotic approach allows for a more detailed analysis of the semiotic resources, whereas ethnographic data are necessary for an understanding of how such resources are put to use. (Contains 3 notes, 2 tables, and 9 figures.)
Descriptors: Ethnography, Young Children, Literacy, Semiotics, Linguistic Theory, Foreign Countries, Elementary School Students, Computer Uses in Education, Educational Technology, Teaching Methods, Web Based Instruction, Laptop Computers
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Sweden
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A