Using Digital Media to Engage Young Citizens ~ Lance Bennett Center for Communication and Civic...
Transcript of Using Digital Media to Engage Young Citizens ~ Lance Bennett Center for Communication and Civic...
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 Millennium Learners Conference
Florence March 7, 2007
~Lance Bennett
Center for Communication and Civic Engagement
University of Washington, Seattle, USA
~Prepared for OECD - INDIRE
New Millennium Learners Conference
Florence March 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 -- is not effective
teaching textbook knowledge about government -- not effective for NMLs
Engaging NML personal identity and digital lifestyle is challenging for schools….
…because it is difficult to understand the generational changes in citizen identities among NMLs (1980--)
What schools do best -- is not effective teaching textbook knowledge about
government -- not effective for NMLs Engaging NML personal identity and
digital lifestyle is challenging for schools….
…because it is difficult to understand the generational changes in citizen identities among NMLs (1980--)
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)
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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)
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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
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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: political 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:Conflicting Conclusions
Research and Education Policy:Conflicting Conclusions
Are young citizens disengaged? -- yes, if focus is voting & knowledge about politics & government
(emphasis on DC citizen identity) Or are they Engaged ? -- yes, if focus is
community work, consumer politics -- online communities
(emphasis on AC citizen identity) Result -- conflicting & poorly developed
approaches to civic education
Are young citizens disengaged? -- yes, if focus is voting & knowledge about politics & government
(emphasis on DC citizen identity) Or are they Engaged ? -- yes, if focus is
community work, consumer politics -- online communities
(emphasis on AC citizen identity) Result -- conflicting & poorly developed
approaches to civic 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 Education 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 Education 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
Source: Craig Peden, Microsoft Educational Solutions Group
~ 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: Learn public communication skills Communicate with each other Build a political agenda Organize and act effectively Communicate with government
Use interactive technologies to help
young citizens: Learn public communication skills Communicate with each other Build a political agenda Organize and act effectively Communicate with government
Create Communication Environments
Create Communication Environments
Teach digital media literacy in schools - to develop PUBLIC VOICE
Build community digital media systems -- public spaces -- outside of schools
Link both schools and personal life to those spaces via networking IT
Build curriculum to help students discover community issues
Make it fun -- produce & share content
Teach digital media literacy in schools - to develop PUBLIC VOICE
Build community digital media systems -- public spaces -- outside of schools
Link both schools and personal life to those spaces via networking IT
Build curriculum to help students discover community issues
Make it fun -- produce & share content
Conclusions: How to Motivate Gen Next?
Conclusions: 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
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