David Rutledge

Digital learners and the overlapping of their personal and educational digital engagement

Abstract Current K-12 students are considered digital learners because technology is as pervasive in their academic world as in their personal lives. Technology enthusiasts argue that these learners are the “digital natives” having sophisticated technology knowledge and skills that can be potentially harnessed for better learning engagement inside the classroom. This phenomenological study investigates how some current high school students as the digital learners engage with technology at home and school; and how these two types of engagement overlap in their learning inside the classroom. Data were gathered from phenomenological three series in-depth interviews with five participants and also field observation. Findings show that the overlap between the personal and educational digital engagement(s) of these students was not necessarily positive as portrayed by the prevalent discourses of technology enthusiasts. The overlapping had mixed roles – facilitative as well as obstructive. Pedagogical and future research implications are discussed.

A response to strategies and tactics through participatory action research in a developmental mathematics course

Abstract This paper explores the value of participatory action research in a community college developmental mathematics course. The authors used the framework of critical mathematics education in order to understand the critical conversations of students about their learning experiences, and also to help the instructor of the course develop the curriculum that attended to student experiences. The authors also draw on Michel de Certeau’s ideas about strategies and tactics to understand how students responded to their past learning experiences. Data results from the study show that students can gain a better understanding of their own learning and subsequently develop deeper content knowledge when they are more involved in the teaching and learning process. Lastly, the authors conclude that as adult learners grow in their understanding of the learning processes and of the content being presented, participatory action research can play an important role in the entire development of thinking and intellectual engagement.