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

The University also has a sizeable immigrant /first generation learner population

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Ways Facebook helps and maintain their sense of identity

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

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.

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.

Using social media to engage first generation learners

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.