In this pathway, schools amplify the skills and mindset necessary to harness the positive strengths of media literacy and technology into community action for good. Skills and tools linked to digital citizenship, design thinking via media projects, investigative journalism, podcasting, filmmaking, photography, storytelling and sound engineering outline a multitude of technology-driven pathways for civic and intercultural action that can be parlayed into deep learning connected to transdisciplinary standards and criteria as well as global competencies.
Inspire Citizens uses the globalyouthmedia.org hub as an international platform to house acclaimed student work while also providing models and tutorials on best-practices in media design. Examples, ideas, inspiration, and proof of implementation concept will be available for both schools and teachers to access and even become member stations in the international Global Youth Media network.
A Global Youth Media program can take different forms: An after school program; a program linked to design curriculum; a program connected directly with different content standards and curriculum in different grade levels; a focus of a leadership program; or as an experiential learning opportunity to capture stories, images, and voices related to global and intercultural awareness and documentation.
With that said, the ideal of Global Youth Media is found in integrating media literacy knowledge, skills, and tools into whole school curricular opportunities, by striving to go deeper than just a club. Embedded Global Youth Media learning experiences provide students with the critical opportunities to develop applied media literacy skills centered on the responsible and positive production and consumption of media as a rich and critical piece of everyday learning. Through analyzing the creation of media with a critical eye, and being able to produce and design media to positively impact a community, students amplify design thinking and human-centered skills to prepare them for future citizenship and careers. Finally, the power of student media to create a culture of compassionate empathy: active listening, deep questioning, and objective storytelling can not be understated.
Pathway 7 in Practice