Learning and out-of-school literacy practices in the digital age: a rural approach

The present study explores children’s out-of-school literacy practices and their connection with processes of formal learning in a rural context. The article aims at bridging research areas that are often disconnected in the literature, such as research on school education and informal learning; along with research on rural education that has been often under-researched in the literature. This research focuses the study of literacy and learning from an ecological and a socio-cultural perspective. The study is situated in a rural area in Chile and uses a multiple-case study design. The results show a trend towards digital literacy practices at home, despite the lack of availability of technologies. This contrasts with the presence of printed materials at home and bespeaks the need to distinguish between access to and availability of these resources (KALMAN, 2005). In addition, children’s everyday practices are motivated by their interest on entertainment, interaction with others, play and the passion to learn a specific topic. Finally, the analysis shows a discontinuity between these practices and literacy practices observed in the classroom.

Literacy practices; Learning; Rural education; New technologies; Digital literacies