Connecting Language, Literacy, and Empowerment Through Digital Storytelling With Afghan Refugee Women

ABSTRACT This case study examines how digital storytelling (DST) serves as a tool for language and literacy learning, personal expression, and empowerment among Afghan refugee women. The researchers explore the experiences of five Afghan refugee women participating in a 3‐month DST project. The participants engaged in iterative literacy practices, creating digital stories that integrated oral, written, aural, and visual elements. The analysis of participant‐created artifacts and digital stories, interview transcripts, and observation notes identified three key themes: literacy learning through multimodal engagement, identity expression, and agency enactment. Findings suggest DST addresses linguistic and cultural barriers, fosters emotional well‐being, and empowers the participants to reclaim their voices in addition to supporting their literacy learning.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy
Published
2026-05-14
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/jaal.70054
Primary Topic
Digital Storytelling and Education
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Connecting Language, Literacy, and Empowerment Through Digital Storytelling With Afghan Refugee Women

Melissa Wicker, Jiening Ruan, Jacey Ford
Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy
Digital Storytelling and Education
article

Connecting Language, Literacy, and Empowerment Through Digital Storytelling With Afghan Refugee Women

Melissa Wicker, Jiening Ruan, Jacey Ford
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT This case study examines how digital storytelling (DST) serves as a tool for language and literacy learning, personal expression, and empowerment among Afghan refugee women. The researchers explore the experiences of five Afghan refugee women participating in a 3‐month DST project. The participants engaged in iterative literacy practices, creating digital stories that integrated oral, written, aural, and visual elements. The analysis of participant‐created artifacts and digital stories, interview transcripts, and observation notes identified three key themes: literacy learning through multimodal engagement, identity expression, and agency enactment. Findings suggest DST addresses linguistic and cultural barriers, fosters emotional well‐being, and empowers the participants to reclaim their voices in addition to supporting their literacy learning.

Journal of Adolescent & Adult LiteracyVol. 70(1)
Tarleton State University (US), University of Oklahoma (US)
Quality Education
Openalex Percentile: Top 3%
Digital Storytelling and Education
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