Clubs, Homes, and Online Communities as Contexts for Engaging Youth in Technology Fluency Building Activities

Abstract: The goal of this session is to advance our understanding of the relationships between access to computing tools, learning opportunities, and the development of technological fluency. Understanding variability in the kinds of material and social resources that children have access to is crucial for a better understanding of how to create more equitable learning opportunities. Overview talks of three research programs and their theoretical frameworks will start this session. A poster session will follow that showcases nine empirical or design projects that have emerged from the research programs. In keeping with the conference theme, the overview presentations and empirical work highlight how learning to use technology in empowered ways can be nurtured within and across a broad range of contexts. Overview Adolescents typically use computers more frequently at home than they do at school (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2004; Pew, 2002). During this out of school time the social contexts of their use and the nature of the activities vary widely. Although playing games is a common activity, children and teens also use the computer to communicate with friends, do research for school, find information about hobbies, and to download and listen to music. Some teens also use their computing tools for activities that involve authoring such as multimedia stor