Date of Award
Summer 2025
Document Type
Open Access Dissertation
Department
Languages, Literatures and Cultures
First Advisor
Lenny Sanchez
Abstract
As digital technologies redefine the definition of literacy, elementary teachers face the challenge of effectively integrating digital literacies into their classroom spaces. This dissertation examines how professional development can enhance teachers’ understanding and implementation of high-quality digital literacy practices. Grounded in the New Literacies framework, the study identifies key characteristics of effective digital literacy instruction and explores how professional development that is contextualized, meaningful, and sustained can foster these practices. Using data from classroom observations, professional learning communities, and teacher interviews, the research highlights how individualized coaching and collaboration empower teachers to create authentic, engaging, and critical digital literacy experiences. The findings offer actionable insights for designing professional development models that support 21st-century literacy education.
Rights
© 2025, Lauren Hunt
Recommended Citation
Hunt, L.(2025). Professional Learning Communities and Digital Literacy: A Framework for Elementary Education. (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/etd/8353