Post on 29-Mar-2015
Using Digital Media to Engage Young CitizensUsing Digital Media to
Engage Young Citizens~
Lance Bennett
Center for Communication and Civic Engagement
University of Washington, Seattle, USA
~Prepared for OECD - INDIRE
New Millennial Learners Conference
Florence March 5-7, 2007
~Lance Bennett
Center for Communication and Civic Engagement
University of Washington, Seattle, USA
~Prepared for OECD - INDIRE
New Millennial Learners Conference
Florence March 5-7, 2007
Civic Engagement -Learning Civic Engagement -Learning
Cognitive skills: -- political reasoning - develop/express public voice
Social value-lifestyle: NML effective personal expression - identity
Learning outcomes: knowledge about government - how to participate
Educational achievements: informed citizens who participate in public life
Cognitive skills: -- political reasoning - develop/express public voice
Social value-lifestyle: NML effective personal expression - identity
Learning outcomes: knowledge about government - how to participate
Educational achievements: informed citizens who participate in public life
What are the challenges?What are the challenges? What schools do best -- (teaching textbook
knowledge about government) is the least effective/ motivating for NMLs
What appeals to NML personal identity and digital lifestyles is hard to introduce into schools
Solution A) understand the generational changes in citizen
identities among NMLs (1980--) B) understand how to use technologies to
motivate a change from private to public life
What schools do best -- (teaching textbook knowledge about government) is the least effective/ motivating for NMLs
What appeals to NML personal identity and digital lifestyles is hard to introduce into schools
Solution A) understand the generational changes in citizen
identities among NMLs (1980--) B) understand how to use technologies to
motivate a change from private to public life
Research Findings: Generational Declines in Traditional ParticipationResearch Findings: Generational
Declines in Traditional Participation
Electoral Activity LowElectoral Activity Low
6%
13%
26%
33%
50%
3%
4%
20%
36%
32%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Volunteered for a candidate or politicalorganization
Contributed money to candidate, party,or group
Displays campaign button, sticker, sign
Tries to persuade others how to vote
Always vote (or intend to always vote)
All DotNet
6%
13%
26%
33%
50%
3%
4%
20%
36%
32%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Volunteered for a candidate or politicalorganization
Contributed money to candidate, party,or group
Displays campaign button, sticker, sign
Tries to persuade others how to vote
Always vote (or intend to always vote)
All DotNet
DotNets born 1977-1987Source: PEW U.S. Civic Health Survey
Research Findings: Rise in Direct Personal Action
Research Findings: Rise in Direct Personal Action
Personal Direct Action HighPersonal Direct Action High
3%
4%
8%
10%
12%
18%
23%
35%
38%
2%
7%
7%
10%
14%
10%
20%
35%
38%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40%
Canvassed
Protested
Contacted talk show
Contacted media
Electronic petition
Contacted an official
Written petition
Buycotted
Boycotted
All DotNet
Generational Citizen Identity DifferencesYouth: Actualizing Citizen (AC) Older: Dutiful Citizen (DC)
Weak duty to participate in government
Strong duty to participate in government
Focus on lifestyle politics & personal activities: consumerism, volunteering, social activism
Voting is the core democratic act
Mistrust of media and politicians -- does not follow politics in the news
Informed about issues and government -- follows the news
Joins loose networks for social action – communicate through digital media
Joins social organizations and parties -- communicate through mass media
Research and Education Policy: Competing Views of CitizenshipResearch and Education Policy: Competing Views of Citizenship
Two paradigms or schools of thought Disengaged youth? -- yes, if focus is on
voting, knowledge about politics & government
(emphasizes DC citizen identity) Engaged youth? -- yes, if focus on community
work, consumer politics -- online communities (emphasizes AC citizen identity)
Result -- conflicting & poorly developed approaches to civic engagement & education
Two paradigms or schools of thought Disengaged youth? -- yes, if focus is on
voting, knowledge about politics & government
(emphasizes DC citizen identity) Engaged youth? -- yes, if focus on community
work, consumer politics -- online communities (emphasizes AC citizen identity)
Result -- conflicting & poorly developed approaches to civic engagement & education
Most civic education designed by older DC citizens - offering little for ACs
Most civic education designed by older DC citizens - offering little for ACs
The Policy ChallengeThe Policy Challenge Civic Engagement Programs that
Appeal to AC citizens -- active/personal contact with real problems and issues
Support DC values, but … avoid textbook government avoid presenting citizenship as duty Offer personal paths to government Using familiar social networking media
Civic Engagement Programs that Appeal to AC citizens -- active/personal
contact with real problems and issues Support DC values, but …
avoid textbook government avoid presenting citizenship as duty Offer personal paths to government Using familiar social networking media
~ Use Interactive Technologies to Bring Democracy into the
Classroom~
~ Use Interactive Technologies to Bring Democracy into the
Classroom~ Use interactive technologies to help
young citizens: Communicate with each other Build a political agenda Organize and act effectively Communicate with government Learn public communication skills
Use interactive technologies to help
young citizens: Communicate with each other Build a political agenda Organize and act effectively Communicate with government Learn public communication skills
Create Communication Environments
Create Communication Environments
In public space -- outside of schools Link both schools and personal life to
those spaces via networking IT Build curriculum to help students discover
community issues Teach digital media literacy in schools - to
develop PUBLIC VOICE Make it fun -- produce & share content
In public space -- outside of schools Link both schools and personal life to
those spaces via networking IT Build curriculum to help students discover
community issues Teach digital media literacy in schools - to
develop PUBLIC VOICE Make it fun -- produce & share content
But How to Motivate Gen Next? But How to Motivate Gen Next?
I. Recognize citizen identity shifts less collective responsibility/civic duty strong interest in making a difference in society
II. Use new learning & comm. preferences make learning: interactive, experiential, group use digital media to personalize information use online tools to link political info & action
III. Link classroom to government & society Use media to engage students in public spheres
I. Recognize citizen identity shifts less collective responsibility/civic duty strong interest in making a difference in society
II. Use new learning & comm. preferences make learning: interactive, experiential, group use digital media to personalize information use online tools to link political info & action
III. Link classroom to government & society Use media to engage students in public spheres
Center for Communication & Center for Communication & Civic EngagementCivic Engagement
Lance Bennett, DirectorLance Bennett, Director
www.engagedcitizen.org www.engagedcitizen.org
Information ~ Technology ~ Community
@