GENDERED DIMENSIONS OF MOBILE PHONE USAGE: THE CASE OF A GROUP OF ROMANI WOMEN FROM SOUTHWESTERN BULGARIA AND THEIR INFORMAL LEARNING
Open Access
Author:
Hristova, Adelina G
Graduate Program:
Adult Education
Degree:
Doctor of Philosophy
Document Type:
Dissertation
Date of Defense:
August 31, 2016
Committee Members:
Dr Schied, Dissertation Advisor/Co-Advisor
Keywords:
other women Romani women informal learniing mobile learning CHAT technofeminism Bulgaria activity systems gender relations medium Vygotsky
Abstract:
This participatory and grounded theory ethnography focuses on mobile learning practices of a group of adult Romani women and their families. Framed through the lens of cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) and technofeminism, these practices challenge existing integration programs with their binary approach as insufficient to analyze informal learning of other women. From the theoretical analysis, two activity systems emerged as guided by two separate objects conceptually overlapping under a common motive - wellbeing of the Roma family, while mobile phones emerged (in part of the cases) as essential media in pursuing the two objects. The two activity systems where Romani women used (or did not use) their mobile phones brought forward other women’s informal learning as shaped by complex gender relations. By focusing on informal learning and gender relations, this dissertation expands our understanding of mobile technology usage by adding specific gendered dimensions to the existing mLearning models.