Expanding Education
Asynchronous Session
Bridging the Digital Divide: Teaching Digital Cultures to Developmental English Learners
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Rafael Logroño
This paper explores the development and implementation of a new course titled Social Media and Digital Cultures, designed specifically for developmental English students. The course seeks to bridge the digital divide by equipping students with essential digital literacy skills while enhancing their reading and writing capabilities. By integrating familiar digital platforms and cultural trends, the course aims to engage students in critical analysis and content creation, making academic learning more relatable and impactful. The study outlines strategies used to introduce complex concepts through accessible media, the challenges faced when teaching digital content to students with varying technological backgrounds, and solutions for fostering inclusivity and participation. We explore how leveraging social media as an educational tool can bridge gaps in literacy, empower students, and foster a deeper understanding of digital culture. Real-world examples of student assignments, outcomes, and feedback are shared to illustrate the course’s effectiveness and potential for adaptation in other educational contexts.
Enhancing Linguistic Understanding in Secondary Education through Digital Resources: A Case Study on PrevNet for Motion Verbs in Latin and Ancient Greek
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Andrea Farina, Barbara Mc Gillivray
The study of historical languages is often perceived as disconnected from modern linguistic education, despite their significant influence on it. The King’s College London funded project From Classics to Classrooms: Enhancing Linguistic Understanding with Digital Resources (May – December 2025) addresses this gap through the development of PrevNet, a digital resource focusing on motion verbs in Latin and Ancient Greek. This resource is targeted to specialists in different fields (e.g., Linguistics, Languages, Digital Humanities, Cultural History), while also providing accessible linguistic data for a broader audience. PrevNet fosters interactive learning by enabling students to explore linguistic patterns and engage directly with data through digital tools. Its development was informed by tailored teacher training and student workshops held in London secondary schools. This iterative process demonstrates how digital methodologies can bridge historical linguistic research and modern pedagogical practices. This paper discusses the resource’s design and development, highlighting its role in promoting linguistic diversity, strengthening analytical skills, and increasing student engagement with historical languages. We outline the iterative development process, incorporating teacher and student feedback. The project’s impact was evaluated through pre- and post-session questionnaires and student focus groups, assessing linguistic understanding, engagement, and confidence. Our findings demonstrate that digital tools can revitalise interest in ancient languages while equipping students with transferable skills relevant to both ancient and modern language learning.
Culture-based Education and Its Effects on Student Ministry Outcomes: Evaluation of a Faith-based, Culture-based Program in Higher Education
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Brennan Takayama
After working on the "Hawaiian Cultural Influences in Education" (HCIE) project in the Research & Evaluation division at Kamehameha Schools, the author transitioned to work in a faith-based non-profit in higher education. HCIE found that higher uses of culture-based education were connected to positive outcomes for K-12 students in self-concept, achievement, school engagement, and more. Through applying principles of culture-based education to a faith-based spring break program for college students, the researcher found similar positive outcomes through examining change through empirical data in pre- and post-surveys.
