I samspel med digitala medier: Förskolebarns deltagande i multimodala literacypraktiker

Author
Hillström, K. W.
Year
2020

Purpose

The study investigates the interactions between kindergarten children, educators and digital media in Swedish kindergartens. The analysis focuses on children’s participation where digital media are involved and how these are integrated into the children’s everyday activities. The research questions are: 1) How is children’s participation organised in interaction with digital media in everyday kindergarten life? 2) What type of social and literacy skills are expressed in children’s interaction with digital media? 3) What type of cultural and social conditions affect children in their use of digital media in kindergarten and how are these expressed?

Result

The observations show that children’s social and literacy skills emerge during several activities involving digital media. The children in the study are also co-creators in the organisation of digital activities in kindergartens. The skills needed to participate in digital activities are shaped by the collective work the participants perform together during the activities. The understanding of what is meant by sufficient digital skills must therefore be adapted to children’s use of digital media in different situations.

Design

The sample consisted of 28 children between three and five years old and five kindergarten teachers in two Swedish kindergartens. The data material was collected using video observations and field notes. It was then analysed using an ethnomethodological approach to conversation analysis. The researcher was particularly interested in the bodily aspect of the children’s participation.

References

Hillström, K. W. (2020). «I samspel med digitala medier: Förskolebarns deltagande i multimodala literacypraktiker». Akademisk avhandling. Uppsala universitet.