Participatory Culture

  

Participatory Culture is a culture that has low barriers and embraces artistic expression and civic engagement while providing a strong support for an individual’s ideas and creations. Participatory culture also allows individuals to feel their contributions, ideas, and voice matter and feel a social connection to one another.  

 

There are concerns around participatory culture that suggest a need for policy and pedagogy to play a part in the idea and development of participatory culture: particpation gap (I think about culture and socioeconomic status, as well as location), the issue of being transparent, and the challenge with ethics. 

The participatory culture can also shift the focus about the digital divide from the questions about access to how we provide opportunities to participate and develop cultural competencies and skills needed to be successful and enjoy fulfillment with being involved. 

 

When I think of participatory culture, part of me thinks of the trends with fan culture/pop culture and the impacts that has on what is produced within our society. Doctor Who has a huge fandom, that has helped to increase the awareness of Doctor Who since it has been so popular over several decades. There have been spinoffs, controversy, collaboration and so much more when we look at social media and how Doctor Who has grown over the last decade. I also think about other pop culture/fan cultures that can impact participatory culture: Star Wars, Simpsons, Family Guy, music, and let us not forget our superheroes and villains from Marvel and DC Comics – they have played a part in our education and how we all show up and engage with our peers and classroom content.