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Cultivating Radical Imagination: An Approach to Disrupting Antiblackness in Computer Science Education

Published: 16 May 2024 Publication History

Abstract

Leveraging Black Critical Theory, this paper critiques the manifestation and impact of antiblackness in computing education, arguing it stifles Black youth's creativity and agency. Developed in the context of an out-of-school space for Black youth, we propose a framework for learning environments that cultivates radical imagination and centers joy, empowerment, and liberatory fantasy. This framework aims to disrupt dominant narratives through technology-mediated creative learning experiences for Black youth. Drawn from design-based critical inquiry experiences within a community-based afterschool program explicitly focused on transformative justice for Black youth, core values and actionable principles will provide insight for educators, designers, and researchers supporting those furthest from educational justice.

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    cover image ACM Conferences
    RESPECT 2024: Proceedings of the 2024 on RESPECT Annual Conference
    May 2024
    321 pages
    ISBN:9798400706264
    DOI:10.1145/3653666
    This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution International 4.0 License.

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    Published: 16 May 2024

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    Author Tags

    1. antiblackness
    2. creative learning
    3. culturally relevant pedagogy
    4. k-12 computer science education

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