Speaker

Hinna Yusuf

I belong to the South Asian community and have been, living and working in Toronto since 2010. I completed my Master of Arts degree from the University of Toronto, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) where I focused on education for immigrant communities and multiple ways of leaning (multiliteracies). The proposed discussion topic stems from the research I conduced as a graduate student for my Master’s thesis.

I have been an educator since 2005. I became interested in alternate ways of learning due to my own difficulties with mainstream education, being dyslexic. I am currently a supply teacher and work as a project manager for a multilingual children’s storybook, scheduled or publication in Fall 2015. I have also worked as a producer and director for weekly television shows and special documentaries in Pakistan.
Toronto, ON July 11, 2015
Barriers to Access: Web illiteracy and resulting fears amongst gatekeepers
The discussion will mention parental concerns regarding sexual content or sexual predators in online environments. However the discussion will be limited to general comments and observations and not be explicit

The talk will focus on the barriers erected by parents from diverse communities, especially immigrants, which limit their children’s access to gaming and online communities. Parents/guardians are usually the primary gatekeepers to new media technologies for children in their formative years. By restricting access, these parents/guardians limit exposure to the technology and gaming industries, thus putting their children at a technological disadvantage, as they are often not as familiar with the industry or comfortable using the tools as their peers. This limitation often stems from fear and unfamiliarity with technology and gaming, and can lead to the fears can be inherited, creating obstacles to participation and eventually employment in the industries.