Threads of Conversation: A Lived Experience of Participating and Learning About Knitting in an Unstructured Setting
Open Access
Author:
Modak, Rucha
Graduate Program:
Instructional Systems
Degree:
Doctor of Philosophy
Document Type:
Dissertation
Date of Defense:
October 07, 2011
Committee Members:
Dr Alison Carr Chellman, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor Alison Alene Carr Chellman, Committee Chair/Co-Chair Fred Michael Schied, Committee Member Heather A Zimmerman, Committee Member Steven Herb, Committee Member
Keywords:
socio-cultural perspective informal learning public libraries social capital phenomenology
Abstract:
This study examines the lived experience of participating and learning about knitting in a drop-in knitting group that meets in a public library. The study was conducted in the phenomenological tradition of qualitative research and data was collected through interviews and participant observations. Data was analyzed using constant comparative analysis through the theoretical lenses of social capital and the sociocultural learning theory. The following themes arose: 1) conversation and interaction among members are cherished, 2) primary identities define the degree and kind of knitting-related teaching and learning that takes place 3) the diversity and high turnover of fringe participants in the group has consequences for teaching and learning needs, 4) the public library has a constant presence in the life of the knitting group, and 5) knitting with the group provides a sense of community. Analysis showed that the library’s social capital played a bigger role in members’ participation than vice versa and participant identities were important in shaping an unstructured experience.
