Abstract
This research documents the use of digital media by young children in outdoor play spaces. The research was conducted at a child care center on an urban university campus in the southeastern USA. The research employed a participatory design and used a qualitative, reflexive approach to include the child’s voice, ideas, and understandings of their play through the use of child-created, digital images. Four forms of digital imagery were evident: performance imagery in which an image or scene was orchestrated; live action imagery in which a playful experience was created so that the photographer or videographer would appear on film; documentary imagery in which the camera became a tool to capture or describe an everyday image or event; and mobile image audiencing in which the original photographer or videographer was unintentionally captured in the digital record or intentionally recorded by other children as the original artist paused to review, edit, or display their work to others. Children displayed a sophisticated understanding of how they could construct or co-construct knowledge, culture, and identity through the use of digital media. This research provides insight into children’s spontaneous play and their roles as creators and consumers of digital media and imagery.
Résumé
Cette recherche traite de l’utilisation des médias numériques par les jeunes enfants dans des espaces de jeu extérieur. La recherche a été effectuée dans une garderie d’un campus universitaire du sud-est des États-Unis. La recherche a utilisé un devis participatif et une approche qualitative réflexive pour inclure l’expression des enfants, leurs idées et leur compréhension de leur jeu au moyen d’images numériques créées par les enfants. Quatre formes d’imagerie numérique ont été mises en évidence: l’imagerie de performance dans laquelle une image ou une scène était orchestrée; l’imagerie d’action en direct dans laquelle une expérience ludique était créée pour que le photographe ou vidéaste apparaisse sur le film; l’imagerie documentaire dans laquelle la caméra devenait un outil pour capturer ou décrire une image ou un événement de tous les jours; et l’image d’auditoire mobile dans laquelle le photographe ou vidéaste était involontairement capté dans l’enregistrement numérique ou intentionnellement enregistré par d’autres enfants alors que l’artiste original faisait une pause pour réviser, modifier ou présenter son travail à d’autres. Les enfants affichaient une compréhension sophistiquée de la façon dont ils pouvaient construire ou co-construire la connaissance, la culture, et l’identité par l’utilisation de médias numériques. Cette recherche donne une idée du jeu spontané et du rôle des enfants en tant que créateurs et consommateurs de médias et d’imagerie numériques.
Resumen
Esta investigación documenta el uso de medios digitales, por parte de los niños, en los espacios de juego al aire libre. La investigación se llevó a cabo en un centro de cuidado infantil en un campus universitario urbano en el sureste de los Estados Unidos. La investigación empleó un diseño participativo y utiliza un enfoque cualitativo, reflexivo para incluir la voz del niño, ideas y entendimientos de su juego a través de la utilización de imágenes digitales de niños creados. Cuatro formas de imágenes digitales fueron evidentes: imágenes en acción, en las que una imagen o escena fue orquestado; imágenes de acción en vivo, en las cuales una experiencia divertida fue creada para que el fotógrafo o camarógrafo apareciera en la película; imágenes de documental en el que la cámara se convirtió en una herramienta para capturar o para describir un evento o imagen cotidiana; y la imagen móvil de la audiencia, en la que el fotógrafo o camarógrafo original fue capturado accidentalmente por otros niños mientras el artista original pausaba para revisar, editar o mostrar su trabajo a otros. Los niños mostraron un sofisticado entendimiento de cómo podrían construir o co-construir conocimiento, cultura e identidad a través del uso de medios digitales. Esta investigación profundiza en el juego espontáneo del niño y su role como creador y consumidor de medios digitales e imágenes.
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Eckhoff, A. Images of Play Experiences Through a Child’s Lens: An Exploration of Play and Digital Media with Young Children. IJEC 49, 113–129 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13158-017-0181-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13158-017-0181-9