Comments on: Features and Functions for Online Civic Learning http://www.engagedyouth.org/2008/04/24/features-and-functions-for-online-civic-learning/ Just another WordPress weblog Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:55:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Joe Kahne http://www.engagedyouth.org/2008/04/24/features-and-functions-for-online-civic-learning/#comment-83 Joe Kahne Wed, 30 Apr 2008 06:19:25 +0000 http://www.engagedyouth.org/2008/04/24/features-and-functions-for-online-civic-learning/#comment-83 Thanks for this post amd for laying out some key aspects of the argument. I completely agree that young people often don't develop the civic and politcal skills, knowledge, and commitments needed to fully participate in civic life. I'm not sure if you are arguing here that schools aren't doing it but that on-line experiences can meet this need. Seems to me that both probably offer valuable ways to support this agenda - and both likely often fail to fully realize their potential. I've heard many folks say, for example, that on-line participation distracts youth from meaningful engagement and fosters consumerism... mindless gameplay... etc. perhaps -- but it also can do a great deal that is valuable. And I suspect you are right that there are likely some things -- like political action and engagement with controversial issues - that are easier to do on-line and separate from schools. In addition, schools and on-line environments can probably work together at times. Educators may be able to play an important role in helping young people make the most out of their digital media opportunities. That said, I'm very excited about this project b/c I think it likely creates some powerful opportunities. You ask about key features -- I suspect many of them are the same features you'd want in schools and elsewhere -- discussions of controversial and engaging public issues, an emphasis on ways to make a difference, the development of networks that connect young people to those who are working for change, opportunities to make a tangible difference, the creation of social groups that reflect and reinforce civic identities, opportunities for meaningful audiences.... Would be curious what you and others see as the key features ... and features best suited to your initiative. Thanks for this post amd for laying out some key aspects of the argument. I completely agree that young people often don’t develop the civic and politcal skills, knowledge, and commitments needed to fully participate in civic life.

I’m not sure if you are arguing here that schools aren’t doing it but that on-line experiences can meet this need. Seems to me that both probably offer valuable ways to support this agenda - and both likely often fail to fully realize their potential. I’ve heard many folks say, for example, that on-line participation distracts youth from meaningful engagement and fosters consumerism… mindless gameplay… etc. perhaps — but it also can do a great deal that is valuable. And I suspect you are right that there are likely some things — like political action and engagement with controversial issues - that are easier to do on-line and separate from schools.

In addition, schools and on-line environments can probably work together at times. Educators may be able to play an important role in helping young people make the most out of their digital media opportunities.

That said, I’m very excited about this project b/c I think it likely creates some powerful opportunities. You ask about key features — I suspect many of them are the same features you’d want in schools and elsewhere — discussions of controversial and engaging public issues, an emphasis on ways to make a difference, the development of networks that connect young people to those who are working for change, opportunities to make a tangible difference, the creation of social groups that reflect and reinforce civic identities, opportunities for meaningful audiences….

Would be curious what you and others see as the key features … and features best suited to your initiative.

]]> By: Peter Levine http://www.engagedyouth.org/2008/04/24/features-and-functions-for-online-civic-learning/#comment-82 Peter Levine Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:56:24 +0000 http://www.engagedyouth.org/2008/04/24/features-and-functions-for-online-civic-learning/#comment-82 Thanks for kicking off the discussion with this great post. I'm not sure that NCLB is really reducing time devoted to social studies and other subjects. That is what educational administrators report today, recalling the past. CIRCLE is doing a study that actually looks at time allocations in schools from year to year. It appears that the high school curriculum is becoming richer and broader. More kids get more credits in more subjects. The middle school curriculum is unchanged. And changes in the elementary curriculum are very small and mostly affect first grade. I think that the "disconnect in citizenship styles" is a major barrier, but a hard one to address in schools. Working online is a great idea. Thanks for kicking off the discussion with this great post.

I’m not sure that NCLB is really reducing time devoted to social studies and other subjects. That is what educational administrators report today, recalling the past. CIRCLE is doing a study that actually looks at time allocations in schools from year to year. It appears that the high school curriculum is becoming richer and broader. More kids get more credits in more subjects. The middle school curriculum is unchanged. And changes in the elementary curriculum are very small and mostly affect first grade.

I think that the “disconnect in citizenship styles” is a major barrier, but a hard one to address in schools. Working online is a great idea.

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