Embedded Files
This project is focused on preserving and revitalizing Mayan languages among youth in rural Nebraska using the Human-Centered Design model. By incorporating poetry, digital media, and translanguaging, we empower Mayan-speaking students to create and share multimedia narratives that are deeply rooted in their cultural heritage. Through a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, students engage in producing digital poetry and stories that foster both academic engagement and cultural preservation. This project demonstrates how technology and artistic expression can enhance classroom inclusivity, support marginalized communities, and sustain Mayan languages for future generations.
The Design
The Design
A key tool in this project is Book Creator, a user-friendly platform that enables teachers to reuse and enhance materials created by students. Book Creator supports various multimedia formats, allowing you to develop digital books with text, images, audio, and video. This flexibility lets you tailor content to different learning levels and add interactive elements to better engage students. By using Book Creator, we can collaboratively build a classroom environment that is inclusive and supportive of multilingual learners, fostering a stronger connection to their linguistic and cultural identities.
The Books
The Books
Ixkik
The first book is designed for children aged 4-6. It introduces Ixik, a trilingual young dreamer. As she spends time with her mother, her imagination transforms her into a superhero, celebrating her linguistic abilities and cultural pride. This story offers an engaging way for young children to connect with multilingualism and cultural identity.
Hunahpu y el Futbol
The second book targets elementary school students and is presented as a comic book. It tells the story of Hunahpu, known as "HUN," who is passionate about soccer and football. HUN enjoys chatting with his grandmother via WhatsApp, where they converse in K’iche’. This book highlights the importance of family connections and the everyday use of indigenous languages.
Utzalaj Ulew Ixbalanqué
The third book is geared toward middle schoolers and older students. It offers a deeper narrative of a resilient student, Ixbalanqué, who takes pride in his Mayan roots and confidently shares his language in the classroom. His story includes a personal poem and a vocabulary list, enhancing both language learning and cultural understanding.
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