I attended the Using Digital Media to Empower Youth workshop which was held at the Cumberland Public Library on April 16, 2016. The workshop featured a panel of young authors who have all been published. Their commonality with each other was the influence of digital media on their success as authors. For one it was the introduction to programming that was sparked by the Scratch program (scratch.mit.edu). For another is was by making connections through blogging or tweeting. Through the use of social media, these young people gained a following and made connections that opened doors of opportunity for their writing.
Among the other topics covered were thinking before you post. There were many thoughtful comments shared by the panel. Some felt that there was great value in being willing to share deeper thoughts and feelings freely in this kind of social setting, but all encouraged the use of consideration when your comments might be hurtful to others. Generally the feeling was that we should use the forum of social media to promote the positive rather than the negative. A very good point was made that, like it or not, the Internet and all that it entails is a real part of life. To some degree we will all be affected by what we share or what is shared about us online.
Social media also provides the opportunity to cross what would otherwise be insurmountable boundaries between people of different rank and class. It gives voice to even the most insignificant one, and enables one to connect to others who share the same passions. Even seemingly insignificant tweets can result in a substantial response and can connect you to a huge network of followers. One strategy is to initiate a communication or start a conversation. If your content is important others will respond. Another alternative to is “listen” to what is being talked about and join in the conversation.
The panelists also discussed what they do about times when they feel writer’s block, when they feel dry and the flow of writing stops. Everyone gets in this kind of slump once in awhile. They all suggested keeping a running list of ideas as they come along and going back to them later to find renewed inspiration. It is important to always be looking to how you can improve what you put out there. Another source of inspiration can be reviewing other’s work or surrounding yourself with people that share your passions.
The workshop provided many breakout session topics. I chose to attend one on the Q & A’s of publishing and another on starting a teen writing group. The Q & A breakout offered us information on the many organizations in Rhode Island which can help a new author to find their way to publishing their works. But, of more application to me as a school librarian, was the session I went to on starting a writing group. Even though I work in an elementary school, I think there might be enough students interested in joining a writing group as an after school activity. The breakout session provided lots of practical suggestions and resources for how to get something like this started and how to structure it.
The Using Digital Media to Empower Youth workshop provided the encouragement to think outside of the box. I think we librarians, especially school librarians, discount the value of social media in our work. I’m not saying that I want all my 5th graders to have twitter accounts, but rather that I want them to begin to develop their voice through good, informed writing which catches their passion. If they can develop the skill to write well, they will eventually be able to use these social media options to springboard their ideas into actions. The opportunities we offer them to practice these writing skills will be the catalyst for their futures. The ideas gained from today’s workshop have provided me a place to start and a look down the path to empowering our young students through the use of digital media.