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Tweeting From Where I'm From First Generation Learners and their use of Social Media

Tweeting From Where I'm From First Generation Learners and their use of Social Media. Nova Southeastern University. Classified a Hispanic Serving Institution Demographics 55% who classify as minority 38% who classify as caucasian 3% non-resident alien 4% unknown

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Tweeting From Where I'm From First Generation Learners and their use of Social Media

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  1. Tweeting From Where I'm From First Generation Learners and their use of Social Media

  2. Nova Southeastern University • Classified a Hispanic Serving Institution • Demographics • 55% who classify as minority • 38% who classify as caucasian • 3% non-resident alien • 4% unknown • The University also has a sizeable immigrant /first generation learner population

  3. Focus Group • Looking for ways that first generation learners use social media for acculturation and to maintain a sense of identity • 6 participants – all female • A, 20 years old, born in Cuba to Cuban parents, came to U.S. In 2003. • JA, 21 years old, born in Jamaica to Jamaican parents, came to the U.S. In 2001. • H, 24 years old, born in Miami to Cuban and Iranian parents

  4. Focus Group • T, 19 years old, born in Hollywood, FL to Jamaican parents • R, 23, born in Miami, FL to Cuban and British parents (adopted by Cuban parents) • S, 22, born in Miami, FL to Cuban and Cuban American parents

  5. Ways they use Twitter • Reading other people's posts for entertainment • Getting opinions about books, shows, current events, etc. • Making points and then seeking responses to their tweets

  6. Ways they use Twitter • Connecting to people with similar interests • H watches the Real Housewives of Orange County, but none of her friends do. Connecting with other watches on Twitter made her fell like less of a “loser” for watching it.

  7. Ways they use Twitter • Sharing interesting articles • For venting • H commented that it was a good way to yell and not get punished because of the anonymity • Most of them have their Facebook and Twitter linked

  8. Other Twitter thoughts • H – feels that there is less judgement on Twitter • Facebook is for friends, Twitter is for strangers. • Twitter is making us “language lazy” • The 140 characters is limiting

  9. Twitter introduces the whole concept of “microblogging” (Levinson, 2009), which can give voice to the traditionally voiceless. But how much can you say in 140 characters? Their new “voices” have parameters. • Many of them made mention of their parents impressing English as a means to success or using “proper English”. The adjusted English on Twitter goes against what they have learned thus becoming a “pet peeve”, as H states.

  10. Facebook • Reconnecting with old friends • J reconnects with family and friends in Jamaica, and friends that have gone off to college. • Sharing photos • Networking • Inviting people to events • R is in a rock band, helps her keep track of people coming to shows

  11. Ways Facebook helps them maintain their sense of identity • H feels more connected with her family in Iran; because of Facebook they are better English speakers. She also feels more Iranian because she has experienced Iran through the family's photos • J doesn't feel so out of place when she goes home to Jamaica because she can keep up with the latest slang and music, etc. She wants to be able to pass on her culture to her children

  12. Ways Facebook helps and maintain their sense of identity • T feels that it also helps her stay connected to Jamaica, she doesn't have to reacquaint herself each time she goes back . BBM serves this function as well. • J and T both keep aspects of their culture longer after leaving home • S was raised very Cuban but has family in Italy. • Italian family members wrote on her wall in English to show concern for her sick grandmother

  13. Facebook and acculturation • R has had an easier time being in America • T learns more about herself be going back through her postings, more secure in her identity as both Jamaican and American • H feels Facebook has made people more tolerant overall. She had to hide her Iranian heritage after 9/11, now she feels it's become more accepted • Subconsciously breaking down stereotypes

  14. Other Social Media • Tumbler – for blogging • Instagram – sharing pictures and statuses • *Skype – useful for maintaining contact with family members and friends abroad, functions like BBM for them.

  15. Using social media to to engage first generation learners Amazing race/scavenger hunt • Good for classes that are particularly difficult • Extension of classroom jeopardy as test preparation • Split the group into teams, each must have a member with the Twitter phone app.

  16. Collaborate with colleagues in different departments on campus and leave clues with them. Each team gets tweeted their first location (all different) where there are numbered envelopes with questions. When the team tweets you back the correct answers, you then tweet them their next location, which has more envelopes with more questions.The final destination is back at at the starting point. Using social media to engage first generation learners

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