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There is now a CONTENT FREEZE for Mercury while we switch to a new platform. It began on Friday, March 10 at 6pm and will end on Wednesday, March 15 at noon. No new content can be created during this time, but all material in the system as of the beginning of the freeze will be migrated to the new platform, including users and groups. Functionally the new site is identical to the old one. webteam@gatech.edu
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Nettrice R. Gaskins
Candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Digital Media
Will Defend Her Thesis:
Techno-Vernacular Creativity, Innovation and Learning in Underrepresented Communities of Practice
Tuesday, August 19, 2014, at 10:00 AM in the TSRB Auditorium (first floor)
Committee:
Dr. Celia Pearce (Advisor)
School of Literature, Media, and Communication
Dr. Jacqueline Jones Royster
Dean, Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts
Dr. Janet Murray
Ivan Allen College Dean's Professor
Dr. Ron Eglash
Department of Science and Technology Studies
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Dr. Alessandra Raengo
Department of Communication
Georgia State University
Abstract:
Techno-vernacular creativity (TVC) refers to cultural art and technology made by underrepresented ethnic artists for their own entertainment and expression. This thesis identifies the ‘techno-vernacular’ as an area of practice and investigates the characteristics of this tradition of practice and its application in learning. This study explores the hypothesis that techno-vernacular creativity can play an important role in helping underrepresented ethnic groups (UEGs) – Indigenous, or African and Latino Diasporas – generate the interest and intrinsic motivation they need to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics, or STEAM.
To investigate this theory I developed a research model that builds on culturally situated design, arts-based learning and educational applications of new technologies. I conducted four workshops between 2013 and 2014 that sought to examine the impact of these combined methods on UEG learning in STEAM. Findings show that this combination led to an increase in interest and motivation among UEGs. This study demonstrates the connection between technical literacy, diversity, and culture through TVC taxonomy and a learning ecology for teaching STEAM.
