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.