Shared Spaces: Informal Learning and Digital Cultures.

Author: Willett, Rebekah / Sefton-Green, Julian / Buckingham, David
Published: London, 2003
Source: http://wac.co.uk [11.08.2003].

Abstract

The authors investigate children’s learning in and about "digital cultures" in informal settings outside school. They analyse the structure and content of learning in relation to digital technologies in informal settings like at home or in libraries. One of the authors' aims is to encourage new ways for schools to draw on young peoples' informal knowledge and experiences with digital culture and thus link between leisure and learning experience of today's youth. The results of the investigation are based on three projects that were carried out at an informal arts and media centre in north London: a computer game making class, a cybercafe and an investigation into chatrooms.

Willett, Rebekah

Dr. Rebekah Willett (PhD) is research officer in the Center for Study of Children, Youth and Media (School of Culture, Language & Communication) at the Institute of Education in London. Her research interests include media cultures, literacy and gender. She has worked as a primary school teacher as well as a researcher and published work on new media pedagogies, Pokemon, Internet risk, children's story writing, chatrooms and tweenage girls and the internet.

Sefton-Green, Julian

Dr. Julian Sefton-Green is Head of Media Arts and Education at WAC Performing Arts and Media College (InterChange Trust). He is the author of a number of books and articles on media education and digital media.

Buckingham, David

David Buckingham, born in 1954, is Professor of Education at the Institute of Education, University of London, where he directs the Centre for the Study of Children, Youth and Media (http://www.ccsonline.org.uk/mediacentre). He has directed several major research projects on young people's relationships with the media and on media education, funded by organisations such as the Economic and Social Research Council, the Arts and Humanities Research Board, the European Commission, the Arts Council of England, the Broadcasting Standards Commission, and the Spencer, Gulbenkian and Nuffield Foundations. He is the author or editor of fifteen books, including Children Talking Television (1993), Moving Images (1996), The Making of Citizens (2000). After the Death of Childhood (2000) and Media Education (2003). He has published more than 120 book chapters and articles in academic and professional journals. His latest publication is Media Education: Learning, Literacy and Contemporary Culture (2003).