Spotlight on Digital Media And Learning

“Open the Door”: How An Afterschool Program is Changing Teens - And Neighborhoods

In this StudentSpeak webisode, Spotlight talks with Shaondell, 17, a participant in the YOUmedia aftershool program at Harold Washington Library in Chicago. Shaondell created a short video, “The Myriad,” about violence in his community as part of YOUMedia’s collaboration with the Cure Violence project.

“A Giant Impact”: Chicago Teens Use Digital Media to Respond to Neighborhood Violence

Previously on StudentSpeak, we met Chicago teenagers who use social media to promote their weekly open-mic night at the YOUmedia digital space at Harold Washington Library.In this webisode, we check out how they’re using their digital media skills to report on and respond to violence in their neighborhoods.

“I Love Being Around Poetry”: Digital Media Inspires Teens to Launch Open Mic at Chicago Library

Previously on StudentSpeak, we met Mike Hawkins—aka Brother Mike—a mentor to students using the YOUmedia digital space for teens at Harold Washington Library in Chicago. In this webisode, we check out what the students are performing at Lyricist Loft, a weekly spoken word and media performance event at the YOUmedia space.

YOUmedia Mentors Challenge Chicago Students: “It pushes the art forward.”

In this StudentSpeak webisode, we get to know Mike Hawkins—aka Brother Mike—and Sannya,  both from Harold Washington Library’s YOUmedia space for teens in Chicago.

Teens Turn Hands-On Learning Experience into Teaching Moments at Robotics Competition

Last time on StudentSpeak, we met a group of teenagers—the Chicago Knights—who get together regularly to learn about the art and science of robotics. In this webisode, we follow the Knights as they compete in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Midwest Regional, held annually in Chicago.

“We Built These Things”: Chicago Teens Learn, Teach and Compete With Robotics

This week, StudentSpeak meets a group of students from all over Chicago who are interested in robotics. Led by founder and parent Jackie Moore and a team of volunteer mentors, members of the Chicago Knights get together after school in the basement of the Illinois Institute of Technology to hone their science, math and engineering skills. This webisode follows them as they compete in a regional robotics tournament.

Online Social Networks in the Lives of Teens: “A Gateway That Keeps You Current”

In this edition of StudentSpeak, high school seniors George and James report back on their social networking furloughs (both tried to avoid social media for at least a week) and sum up the lessons they learned from the experience.

Beat Makers, Rappers: “Your Audience is Wider than Just Chicago or Your Own Neighborhood.”

In this edition of StudentSpeak, George takes us into the music studio to meet his friend and musical partner, James. The seniors at the University of Chicago Charter High School talk about how learning to make digital music has helped them express themselves and reach wider audiences.

Building Skills, Creating Futures: “It’s Really How I Want it to Sound”

In this StudentSpeak webisode, we follow Terrence as he uses the filmmaking skills he learned at the Digital Youth Network (DYN) in Chicago to land a gig creating a promotional video for his former tennis coach’s summer camp.

A Day Without Facebook: “I’m Already Starting to Feel a Little Bit of Withdrawal.”

Earlier this month, high school students Shani and Terrence told us about what social media was most important to them. And Facebook was at the top of their list. So then we asked: Can they handle a whole day away from the site?

Teens Talk Facebook: “It’s Sort of Like an Extension of My Life.”

Last month we introduced Shani and Terrence, two high school seniors who use digital media in almost every facet of their lives. In this webisode, they share what types of media are most important to them and how their usage affects family members—even the youngest ones.