RESEARCH

This study employs think aloud methodology to delve into how adolescents and young adults use social media platforms to navigate news and political information. By capturing participants' real-time thoughts as they interact with news, opinions, and discussions online, the research aims to uncover the cognitive processes behind how young people assess, interpret, and engage with political content. This study seeks to provide valuable insights into the strategies they use to discern credible information, the challenges they face in the digital landscape, and how their experiences on social media influence their political knowledge and civic identity.

This study examines the alignment between current teacher preparation standards and the concept of Connective Literacies—skills that enable individuals to critically and effectively engage across multiple modes of communication and media platforms. By analyzing existing standards for teacher education, the research seeks to identify gaps and strengths in how future educators are being prepared to teach these essential literacies. The goal is to provide recommendations for enhancing teacher training programs so that educators are equipped to foster students' ability to navigate, create, and connect across diverse media landscapes in a rapidly evolving digital world.

This ethnographic study explores how a high school fosters civic identity within its English Language Arts (ELA) and Social Studies classrooms. By immersing in the daily life of the school, the research investigates the strategies and practices educators use to integrate civic education into the curriculum, encouraging students to develop a strong sense of civic responsibility and engagement. The study aims to provide a nuanced understanding of how classroom environments, teaching methods, and curricular choices contribute to students' evolving civic identities, offering insights into the role of education in shaping active, informed citizens.