Working with Youth and Technology

Working with Youth and Technology

Here are some challenges you may face when working with children and technology:

1. Most youth have not only been exposed to some type of technology for most of their lives but it is a part of their everyday livese. Most have extensive experience with technology. How will you deal with that?

* Don’t be intimidated.

* Learn from that young person. Not only will you be learning something new but that young person builds self-esteem by teaching you.

* Use those individuals with extensive knowledge as assistants in the center.

2. Youth often seem to think technology is more interesting than you are.

Tablets, smartphones, laptop and apps have an impressive appeal to young people. Apps are designed to grab their attention and keep them glued to it. How will you deal with that?

* Let the tablets and the apps do the teaching. Have the young people work with apps that will subtly teach the same lessons you would have taught.

* Design lessons or activities that maximize what the devices can teach and minimize what you have to teach. You and the children and youth will be a lot happier.

* If you do need their attention, have them put their devices down or turn away from the monitor.

3. Young people in your tech center enjoy working in groups.

It’s natural for young people to group together, especially 9 – 12 year olds. This desire is strengthened when someone has a good, interesting game going. How will you deal with that?

* For the most part, don’t. The cross training that occurs when youth work in small groups is very valuable in the learning process. If the group gets too loud or disruptive, encourage them to continue, but to calm down. One idea is to have a techy item that represents “calm down” and put in the middle of the group when it gets to loud.

* If some youth are struggling with an app or problem, encourage them to work together to solve the problem. Use that as a way to develop...