LATINO YOUTH IN ACTION – LEARNING MODULES

OUR PROJECT

Our project proposes to collaborate with Latino Youth in Action (LYIA) in supplementing classroom learning modules with online and social media tools to be used both in-class and outside of class as well as provide suggestions for how to integrate classroom learning modules into a fully online curriculum in the future. This will be achieved through 1) an instruction manual on how to use the main social media tools; 2) an addendum to the curriculum to suggest specific social media tools that can help enhance each session; 3) a plan to integrate the curriculum on-line in the future; and 4) an in-person training session to jumpstart the process. In order to assess the effectiveness of the project, we will solicit feedback from LYIA youth before finalizing all learning module materials, as well as a “feedback session” after the in-class training session.

The instruction manual on social media tools is the foundation of this project, as it will be used to implement the addendum as well as the in-person training. It will provide a foundation of skills for youths to build upon. Youth and youth educators will then be empowered and can greatly contribute to the use and implementation of these tools into their curriculum.

SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION

LYIA provides leadership training to Latino youth to fight the spread of HIV. The program runs in the Bronx and Queens and targets gay, lesbian, bisexual, questioning and transgender youth. It consists in a series of sessions where youth learn information on relevant topics such as HIV prevention, sexually transmitted infections, sexual activities and drug uses. Upon successful completion of the training, youth become peer counselors and take an active part in disseminating prevention messages among other youth, through workshops, youth forums, health fairs and other social activities.

The target population for our project is the Latino LGBTQ community who attend LYIA and HAF resources center and activities. While LYIA caters to both men and women, their main audience is composed of young men between the ages of 14-24. More specifically, our project will target the youth educators participating in the leadership training program as well as the facilitators providing the training. However, the tools that will be developed by LYIA youth as a result of the project will be aimed at the wider Latino LGBTQ community, whether or not they attend LYIA/HAF facilities and events.

SOME OF THE CHALLENGES WE ARE FACING

Ö Lack of resources and access to computers/internet/equipment/audio recording equipment.

Ö Level of technical skills of youth is somewhat unknown.

Ö Designing an effective and engaging instruction manual for learning how to use social media tools without overwhelming the youth. Making the learning process fun.

Ö Working from an older curriculum, which is currently being updated. The “new and improved” version will not be ready on time for the purpose of this project.

Ö Ensuring that the online tools preserve the intimacy and peer-to-peer exchanges of the classroom environment.

Ö Convincing the youth that social media tools are not complicated to learn and can make their sessions more fun.

WHAT WE HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH

The goal of the project is to develop tools that will provide LYIA youth with new forms of interacting with each other as well as disseminate their program and information. We want to emphasize the participatory nature of social media and how learning and using these tools can provide a safe, nurturing and empowering environment for self-expression as well as community building.

To this end, we want to initiate the LYIA youth to as wide a range of social media tools as possible, given the challenges previously identified as well as time constraints.

OUR TIMELINE

Ö By July 13th: Provide all initial drafts of material, including the instruction manual as well as an addendum to each thematic training session.

Ö Between July 14th and July 20th: Request feedback on material provided from our instructor and from LYIA/HAF. Conduct in-person training session.

Ö Between July 20th and last day of class: Revise material according to feedback and comments received. Present material created during the in-person training session. Submit final project and post material on the blog.

OUR GROUP

Jennifer Braudaway (Project Manager) is a second year media studies student, focusing on “new” media.

Lora Grassilli is a third semester media student. She spent 20 years as a producer for cable and network news, and entered the program to learn about all the other media out there.

Caroline Desrochers is…awesome