research-article

Open access

Fostering children?s critical literacy in computing education

Authors:

Leena Ventä-Olkkonen,

Heidi Hartikainen,

Essi LehtoAuthors Info & Claims

LDT '24: Proceedings of the 2024 Symposium on Learning, Design and Technology

Pages 57 - 65

https://doi.org/10.1145/3663433.3663462

Published: 21 June 2024 Publication History

All formats PDF

Abstract

Child Computer Interaction (CCI) research has increasingly explored critical computing, acknowledging the intertwined dynamics of power, politics, values, and ethics in computing. While the existing literature has explored empowerment of children and addressed various forms of oppression, marginalization, and exclusion, critical concerns having also entered children's computing education, so far, limited research invites children to apply critical perspectives to societal challenges through computing. This paper outlines a long-term critical design project involving 11–12 years old children, where they were encouraged to critically examine societal issues related to bullying and to envision solutions, develop digital tools, and mobilize them for action taking. This study suggests methods to integrate critical literacy development into children's computing education. It underscores the importance of empowering children to engage critically with computing and societal challenges, and advocates for the continued development of approaches that foster children's agency in shaping a more just and equitable world.

References

[1]

Bilstrup, K.-E.K., Kaspersen, M.H., Lunding, M.S., Schaper, M.-M., Van Mechelen, M., Tamashiro, M.A., Smith, R.C., Iversen, O.S. and Petersen, M.G. 2022. Supporting Critical Data Literacy in K-9 Education: Three Principles for Enriching Pupils’ Relationship to Data. Proceedings of the 21st Annual ACM Interaction Design and Children Conference (New York, NY, USA, Jun. 2022), 225–236.

[2]

Boal, A. (2000), Theatre of the Oppressed: 2000. Accessed: 2022-09-30.

[3]

Bodker, S. 1999. Scenarios in user-centred design-setting the stage for reflection and action. Proceedings of the 32nd Annual Hawaii International Conference on Systems Sciences. 1999. HICSS-32. Abstracts and CD-ROM of Full Papers (Jan. 1999), 11 pp.-.

[4]

Chu, S.L., Quek, F., Bhangaonkar, S., Ging, A.B. and Sridharamurthy, K. 2015. Making the Maker: A Means-to-an-Ends approach to nurturing the Maker mindset in elementary-aged children. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction. 5, (Sep. 2015), 11–19.

Digital Library

[5]

Curtin, M., and Fossey, E. 2007. Appraising the trustworthiness of qualitative studies: Guidelines for occupational therapists. Australian occupational therapy journal. 54, 2, 88-94.

[6]

Dangol, A., & Dasgupta, S. (2023, June). Constructionist approaches to critical data literacy: A review. In Proceedings of the 22nd Annual ACM Interaction Design and Children Conference (pp. 112-123).

Digital Library

[7]

De Jong, P. 2016. Ratkaisukeskeisen terapian oppikirja. Lyhytterapiainstituutti Oy.

[8]

Dindler, C., Smith, R. and Iversen, O.S. 2020. Computational empowerment: participatory design in education. CoDesign. 16, 1 (Jan. 2020), 66–80.

[9]

Dindler, C., Iversen, O. S., Hjorth, M., Smith, R. C., & Nielsen, H. D. (2023). DORIT: An analytical model for computational empowerment in K-9 education. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, 37, 100599.

Digital Library

[10]

Druga, S., Christoph, F. L., & Ko, A. J. (2022, April). Family as a Third Space for AI Literacies: How do children and parents learn about AI together?. In Proceedings of the 2022 CHI conference on human factors in computing systems (pp. 1-17).

Digital Library

[11]

Erete, S., Thomas, K., Nacu, D., Dickinson, J., Thompson, N. and Pinkard, N. 2021. Applying a Transformative Justice Approach to Encourage the Participation of Black and Latina Girls in Computing. ACM Transactions on Computing Education. 21, 4 (Oct. 2021), 27:1-27:24.

Digital Library

[12]

Hautea, S., Dasgupta, S., & Hill, B. M. (2017, May). Youth perspectives on critical data literacies. In Proceedings of the 2017 CHI conference on human factors in computing systems (pp. 919-930).

Digital Library

[13]

Holbert, N. 2016. Leveraging cultural values and “ways of knowing” to increase diversity in maker activities. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction. 9–10, (Dec. 2016), 33–39.

Digital Library

[14]

Iivari, N. and Kinnula, M. 2018. Empowering children through design and making: towards protagonist role adoption. Proceedings of the 15th Participatory Design Conference: Full Papers - Volume 1 (New York, NY, USA, Aug. 2018), 1–12.

[15]

Iivari, N. and Kinnula, M. 2023. Nurturing transformative agency of children: a framework on children's agency and activism in and through digital technology development. Palgrave handbook of everyday digital life. Springer International Publishing.

[16]

Iivari, N., Sharma, S., Ventä-Olkkonen, L., Molin-Juustila, T., Kuutti, K., Holappa, J. and Kinnunen, E. 2022. Critical agenda driving child–computer interaction research—Taking a stock of the past and envisioning the future. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction. 32, (Jun. 2022), 100408.

Digital Library

[17]

Iivari, N., Ventä-Olkkonen, L., Hartikainen, H., Sharma, S., Lehto, E., Holappa, J. and Molin-Juustila, T. 2023. Computational empowerment of children: Design research on empowering and impactful designs by children. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction. 37, (Sep. 2023), 100600.

Digital Library

[18]

Iivari, N., Ventä-Olkkonen, L., Sharma, S., Molin-Juustila, T. and Kinnunen, E. 2021. CHI Against Bullying: Taking Stock of the Past and Envisioning the Future. Proceedings of the 2021 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (New York, NY, USA, toukokuu 2021), 1–17.

Digital Library

[19]

Irgens, G. A., Vega, H., Adisa, I., & Bailey, C. (2022). Characterizing children's conceptual knowledge and computational practices in a critical machine learning educational program. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction, 34, 100541.

Digital Library

[20]

Iversen, O.S., Smith, R.C. and Dindler, C. 2017. Child as Protagonist: Expanding the Role of Children in Participatory Design. Proceedings of the 2017 Conference on Interaction Design and Children (New York, NY, USA, kesäkuu 2017), 27–37.

Digital Library

[21]

Janks, H. (2013). The importance of critical literacy. In Moving critical literacies forward (pp. 32-44). Routledge.

[22]

Kafai, Y., Proctor, C., and Lui, D. 2020. From theory bias to theory dialogue: embracing cognitive, situated, and critical framings of computational thinking in K-12 CS education. ACM Inroads. 11, 1, 44-53.

Digital Library

[23]

Ko, A.J., Beitlers, A., Wortzman, B., Davidson, M., Oleson, A., Kirdani-Ryan, M., Druga, S. and Everson, J. 2023. Critically Conscious Computing: Methods for Secondary Education.

[24]

Lee, S., Choi, D., Lee, M., Choi, J., & Lee, S. (2023, April). Fostering Youth's Critical Thinking Competency About AI through Exhibition. In Proceedings of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1-22).

Digital Library

[25]

Lee, C.H. and Soep, E. 2016. None But Ourselves Can Free Our Minds: Critical Computational Literacy as a Pedagogy of Resistance. Equity & Excellence in Education. 49, 4 (Oct. 2016), 480–492.

[26]

Morales-Navarro, L. and Kafai, Y. 2022. Conceptualizing Three Approaches for Integrating Criticality in K-12 Computing Education. (Jun. 2022).

[27]

Morales-Navarro, L., Thompson, N., Kafai, Y., Shaw, M. and Pinkard, N. 2022. Reimagining and Co-designing with Youth an Hour of Code Activity for Critical Engagement with Computing. Interaction Design and Children (New York, NY, USA, June 2022), 288–296.

[28]

Olweus, D. (1994). Bullying at school: basic facts and effects of a school based intervention program. Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, 35(7), 1171-1190.

[29]

Pinkard, N., Erete, S., Martin, C. and McKinney de Royston, M. 2017. Digital Youth Divas: Exploring Narrative-Driven Curriculum to Spark Middle School Girls’ Interest in Computational Activities. Journal of the Learning Sciences. 26, (Mar. 2017).

[30]

Ryoo, J.J., Margolis, J., Lee, C.H., Sandoval, C.D.M. and Goode, J. 2013. Democratizing computer science knowledge: transforming the face of computer science through public high school education. Learning, Media and Technology. 38, 2 (Jun. 2013), 161–181.

[31]

Ryoo, J.J., Santo, R. and Lachney, M. 2022. Introduction to the Special Issue on Justice-Centered Computing Education, Part 2. ACM Transactions on Computing Education (TOCE). ACM New York, NY.

[32]

Salmivalli, C., Laninga‐Wijnen, L., Malamut, S.T. and Garandeau, C.F. 2021. Bullying Prevention in Adolescence: Solutions and New Challenges from the Past Decade. Journal of Research on Adolescence. 31, 4 (Dec. 2021), 1023–1046.

[33]

Schaper, M.-M., Smith, R.C., Tamashiro, M.A., Van Mechelen, M., Lunding, M.S., Bilstrup, K.-E.K., Kaspersen, M.H., Jensen, K.L., Petersen, M.G. and Iversen, O.S. 2022. Computational empowerment in practice: Scaffolding teenagers’ learning about emerging technologies and their ethical and societal impact. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction. 34, (Dec. 2022), 100537.

Digital Library

[34]

Scott, K.A., Sheridan, K.M. and Clark, K. 2015. Culturally responsive computing: a theory revisited. Learning, Media and Technology. 40, 4 (Oct. 2015), 412–436.

[35]

Shor, Ira (1999) "What is Critical Literacy?," Journal of Pedagogy, Pluralism, and Practice: Vol. 1 : Iss. 4, Article 2

[36]

Smith, R.C., Schaper, M.-M., Tamashiro, M.A., Van Mechelen, M., Petersen, M.G. and Iversen, O.S. 2023. A research agenda for computational empowerment for emerging technology education. International Journal of Child-Computer Interaction. 38, (Dec. 2023), 100616.

Digital Library

[37]

Tissenbaum, M., Weintrop, D., Holbert, N. and Clegg, T. 2021. The case for alternative endpoints in computing education. British Journal of Educational Technology. 52, 3 (2021), 1164–1177.

[38]

Vacca, R., DesPortes, K., Tes, M., Silander, M., Matuk, C., Amato, A., & Woods, P. J. (2022, April). ” I happen to be one of 47.8%”: Social-Emotional and Data Reasoning in Middle School Students’ Comics about Friendship. In Proceedings of the 2022 CHI conference on human factors in computing systems (pp. 1-18).

Digital Library

[39]

Van Mechelen, M., Wagner, M. L., Baykal, G. E., Charlotte Smith, R., & Iversen, O. S. (2021, June). Digital design literacy in k-9 education: experiences from pioneer teachers. In Proceedings of the 20th annual ACM interaction design and children conference (pp. 32-42).

Digital Library

[40]

Vasquez, V. M. (2017). Critical literacy. In Oxford research encyclopedia of education.

[41]

Ventä-Olkkonen, L., Iivari, N., Sharma, S., Molin-Juustila, T., Kuutti, K., Juustila-Cevirel, N., Kinnunen, E. and Holappa, J. (2021, June). Nowhere to now-here: empowering children to reimagine bully prevention at schools using critical design fiction: exploring the potential of participatory, empowering design fiction in collaboration with children. In Proceedings of the 2021 ACM Designing Interactive Systems Conference (pp. 734-748).

[42]

Xie, B. 2020. How data can support equity in computing education. XRDS: Crossroads, The ACM Magazine for Students. 27, 2 (Dec. 2020), 48–52.

Digital Library

[43]

Zaman, B. and Abeele, V.V. 2010. Laddering with young children in User eXperience evaluations: theoretical groundings and a practical case. Proceedings of the 9th International Conference on Interaction Design and Children (New York, NY, USA, kesäkuu 2010), 156–165.

Digital Library

[44]

Zhao, J., Duron, B., & Wang, G. (2022, June). KOALA Hero: Inform Children of Privacy Risks of Mobile Apps. In Proceedings of the 21st Annual ACM Interaction Design and Children Conference (pp. 523-528).

Digital Library

Cited By

Iivari NVentä-Olkkonen LLehto EHolappa JHartikainen H(2024)How to combine criticality with reflection? Scaffolding children's critical reflection in the case of anti-bullying interventionsProceedings of the 13th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/3679318.3685354(1-13)Online publication date: 13-Oct-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3679318.3685354

Index Terms

Fostering children?s critical literacy in computing education
1. Human-centered computing
  1. Human computer interaction (HCI)
    1. Empirical studies in HCI

Recommendations

Cyberbullying victimization in higher education

Few studies have analyzed cyberbullying victimization among university students in comparison to research conducted in other educational levels. The main purpose was to analyze the associations between the cyberbullying victimization and social and ...
Through a Gender Lens: A Serious Game for Young Children to Enhance Bullying Awareness and Encourage the Adoption of the Defender Role
Serious Games
Abstract
Bullying is a global issue that threatens the safety and wellbeing of children worldwide. While bullying is observed amongst children of all ages, the behavior peaks at ages 11–14 years. One intervention method is through the use of games. 23 ...
Cyberbullying and traditional bullying involvement among heterosexual and non-heterosexual adolescents, and their associations with age and gender

IntroductionTraditional (offline) bullying and cyberbullying involvement are associated with severe psychosocial problems. Non-heterosexual (LGBQ) youth are more often victimized by traditional bullying than heterosexual (non-LGBQ) youth, but little ...

Comments

Information & Contributors

Information

Published In

cover image ACM Other conferences

LDT '24: Proceedings of the 2024 Symposium on Learning, Design and Technology

June 2024

108 pages

ISBN:9798400717222

DOI:10.1145/3663433

Copyright © 2024 Owner/Author.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License.

Publisher

Association for Computing Machinery

New York, NY, United States

Publication History

Published: 21 June 2024

Check for updates

Author Tags

Qualifiers

Research-article
Research
Refereed limited

Funding Sources

Academy of Finland

Conference

LDT '24

LDT '24: Symposium on Learning, Design and Technology

June 21, 2024

Delft, Netherlands

Contributors

Other Metrics

View Article Metrics

Bibliometrics & Citations

Bibliometrics

Article Metrics

1
Total Citations
View Citations
143
Total Downloads

Downloads (Last 12 months)143
Downloads (Last 6 weeks)35

Reflects downloads up to 14 Jan 2025

Other Metrics

View Author Metrics

Citations

Cited By

Iivari NVentä-Olkkonen LLehto EHolappa JHartikainen H(2024)How to combine criticality with reflection? Scaffolding children's critical reflection in the case of anti-bullying interventionsProceedings of the 13th Nordic Conference on Human-Computer Interaction10.1145/3679318.3685354(1-13)Online publication date: 13-Oct-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3679318.3685354

View Options

View options

PDF

View or Download as a PDF file.

eReader

View online with eReader.

HTML Format

View this article in HTML Format.

Login options

Check if you have access through your login credentials or your institution to get full access on this article.

Full Access

Get this Publication

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

View Table of Contents