Technology in Youth Programs: Technology in Youth Programs TechMission Training Curriculum www.techmission.org 617.282.9798


Outline: Outline Models for Technology in Youth Programs Activities for Youth Using Technology Technology for Academic Learning Other Resources


Technology Training Activitiesfor Youth Programs: Technology Training Activities for Youth Programs TechMission Training Curriculum www.techmission.org 617.282.9798


Program Models for Youth: Program Models for Youth After School Tech Time Walk In Computer Center Computer Club Computer Classes Teen Tech Entrepreneurship Youth Tech Interns


After School “Tech Time”: After School “Tech Time” Model: have regular time with technology as part of after school program Project based learning works best Teaching software does not work without a goal Integrate computers with other activities in after school program Black History Month, Scan in Art, Themes Need to split age groups (k-8 into 2 or 3 age groups)


Walk-In Computer Center: Walk-In Computer Center Model: youth can come in anytime during the open lab hours to use the computers. Provides safe environment with less structure than an after school program Provides good way to get to know children in the neighborhood Need to provide some direction and guidelines At first, most youth use the computers to surf the Web and check their e-mail. Need to encourage youth to explore more advanced technology options Need clear guidelines


Computer Club: Computer Club Model: provide a once a week activity particularly targeting children who are interested in technology Works well in conjunction with a walk-in computer center Have one day when the lab is only open to Computer Club members Works well with middle-school-aged students Computer Club provides structured, project-based activities such as video production, music mixing, and digital art projects. Computer Club lets youth workers get to know the kids even better, teach them new skills around specific software, call out their gifts, and encourage them.


Computer Classes for Youth: Computer Classes for Youth Model: provide computer classes with topics of interest to youth These classes use students’ pre-existing interests to get them excited about technology Youth are already interested in media Video Production Web Design Digital Music Mixing


Teen Tech Entrepreneurship: Teen Tech Entrepreneurship Model: start a youth-run businesses using technology to teach tech and business skills Web design, T-shirt business, graphics design Example: www.prepenterprises.net Youth also gain life skills through formal discipleship/mentoring.


Slide10: Model: youth volunteer or work as staff/interns in program Youth Volunteers Duties Assist with classes Potential Youth Staff Duties Supervise walk-in center and fix computers Assist with classes Work in Web Design Business Learn on the job and through self study Discipleship: provide youth staff with regular time of discipleship and leadership training Teen Volunteer and Intern Programs


Project Based Learning: Project Based Learning Project Based Learning Works Best for Youth Recognizes that children learn by doing Teaches through projects Gives youth a goal or project that allows them to learn along the way to that goal Works well with youth, postmodern culture and urban environments Educators have termed this the “Constructionist” approach to education


Mining the Web: Mining the Web http://www.google.com (general) http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/teach/les.cfm (lessons w/arts) http://school.discovery.com/teachingtools/teachingtools.html (make your own puzzles…) Generally, you can find anything on the WWW Science sites History sites – especially that not covered by school curriculum Classical music: http://www.artsalive.ca/en/mus/instrumentlab/index.html Current events: http://cnnstudentnews.cnn.com/fyi/index.html


Myroad.com: Myroad.com


Myroad.com – ID Me: Myroad.com – ID Me


Useful Resources: Lesson and Project Ideas: Useful Resources: Lesson and Project Ideas AC4 Youth Technology Resources and Lesson Plans Have full lesson plans from previous slides online Available on-line for AC4 Members at: http://www.techmission.org/resources/youth_technology.php Youth Learn Lesson Plans in Technology freely available on-line at http://www.youthlearn.org/learning/activities/ Youth Learn Guide costs $19.95 if you join their e-mail list Other Resources at http://www.ctcnet.org/resources/ctcweb.asp?webcat=youthed


Using Technology to Assist in Academic Learning: Using Technology to Assist in Academic Learning


Ways Computers Can Assist Academic Learning in Youth Programs: Ways Computers Can Assist Academic Learning in Youth Programs Computerized Assessment Diagnose areas of need for individuals Supporting Tutors with Online Tools Provide tutors with diagnostics, curriculum, lesson plans and rubrics to improve tutoring Computerized Tutorials Measuring Performance, Reporting and Aligning with School Standards


Web-based Curriculum Providers: Web-based Curriculum Providers Plato Learning (www.plato.com) Market leader Lightspan (www.lightspan.com) Good assessment, integration with standards (subdivision of Plato) Compass Learning (compasslearning.com) Good assessment, integration with standards and fun learning tools Riverdeep (www.riverdeep.com) Best source for fun learning tools Pearson (www.pearsondigital.com) Good assessment and integration with standards Test U (www.testu.com) Good test prep tools for state assessments, SAT and ACT Princeton Review (www.princetonreview.com) Good test prep tools for SAT and ACT


Additional Resources: Additional Resources


Importance of Online Safety: Importance of Online Safety 9 in 10 kids ages 8-16 yrs have viewed porn online, mostly unintentionally, and when using the Internet to do homework (UK: News Telegraph, NOP Research Group, 1/17/02) Danger of Chat Rooms 1 in 5 children who use Chat rooms have been approached by a pedophile online (Telegraph.co.uk. 1/02) 89% of sexual solicitations were made in either Chat rooms or Instant Messages (Pew Study reported in JAMA, 2001) 2 in 5 of all abductions ages 15-17 are due to contact through the Internet (San Diego Police Department)


Recommendations for Online Safety: Recommendations for Online Safety All CTC’s should have Internet filtering software installed All Christian CTC should not allow IM and Chat Rooms All CTC’s should have online safety programs to educate children of online dangers


Web Site Filtering Software: Web Site Filtering Software We Blocker: Free at www.we-blocker.com Filtering Service by Promise Keepers (pkfamily.com) Filtered dial-up Internet access for $15.95 Filtering Server or Client Software CleanWeb (www.cleanweb.net) CyberPatrol (www.microsys.com) Cybersitter (www.solidoak.com) CyberSnoop (www.pearlsw.com) Net Nanny (www.netnanny.com) Net Shepherd (www.netshepherd.com) Safesurf (www.safesurf.com) Watchdog (www.sarna.com) X-Stop (www.xstop.com)


Search Engines for Kids: Search Engines for Kids Ask Jeeves for Kids: http://www.ajkids.com/ Yahooligans: http://www.yahooligans.com/ Lycos SafetyNet http://personal.lycos.com/safetynet/safetynet.asp OneKey http://www.onekey.com/live/index.htm Education World: http://www.education-world.com/ Classroom Connect http://www2.classroom.net/searchus/ Study Web http://www.studyweb.com/ Kids Click http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/KidsClick!/ List provided by AC4 Member, Guy Yasika


Getting Free Software: Getting Free Software Visit TechMission’s Software Donation Page: http://www.techmission.org/resources/software.php Register your site with TechSoup at www.techsoup.org to get discounted donations Download letters and modify for your site to get free software from Knowledge Adventure the Learning Company and Voyetra Apply for extra copies to give to other sites


Benefits of AC4 Membership: Training: Benefits of AC4 Membership: Training Training through our national and regional tech conferences, workshops and conference calls TechMission Manual: 60+ page manual for operating Tech Programs including curriculum and capacity building materials Information and curriculum available to members only on our Website Free electronic subscription to Christian Computing Magazine


Benefits of AC4 Membership: Community: Benefits of AC4 Membership: Community Conferences: regional and national Regional Chapters for regional collaboration Volunteer Network: recruit volunteers for member centers through AC4’s website E-mail List with over 700 participants Contact List of Christian Computer Centers


Benefits of AC4 Membership: Resources: Benefits of AC4 Membership: Resources Subgrants and Intensive Technical Assistance totaling $750,000 (through the C4T Project in CA, IL and MA) Discounted Gifts in Kind Membership providing access to over $800 million in product donations Advocacy for members to foundations, corporations and government initiatives Equipment: Assistance in securing computer and hardware donations Consulting on starting and growing a computer center and Web Design


How to Join AC4: How to Join AC4 Sign up for membership at www.techmission.org Membership cost $20 per year for organizations with budgets under $500,000 $50 per year for organizations with budgets over $500,000


Helpful Sites for Youth Ministers in General: Helpful Sites for Youth Ministers in General http://www.uywi.org http://www.youthpartnersnet.org/ Sponsors of the Compassionworks Urban Youth Ministry Conference http://www.youthpastor.com Provides good material for youth pastors http://www.xxxchurch.org Good Christian anti-pornography educational site http://www.youthbuilders.com General Youth Ministry Website http://www.reach-out.org Purchase materials for youth ministry http://www.funattic.com Get ideas for games for youth ministry