Civic Voice Curriculum
In 2010, YTECH began packaging our civic engagement and digital literacy programs in order to build the capacity of other youth-serving organizations and educators wishing to integrate meaningful digital literacy programs into their work with young people.
YTECH’s Civic Voice Curriculum programs are project-based service learning guides that explore community issues. Young people use digital media to tell stories, share their voice and develop action plans to spark dialogue and change in their communities.
Our Programs
Each guide offers modifications for older or advanced students and are 30+ pages packaged in an interactive PDF.
Techreation: 15-hour program; ages 6 to 12 years
Students create digital photography slideshows or videos about the role of exercise and play in their lives. Watch an example project and preview Techreation.
Becoming Citizens: 15-hour program; ages 11 to 15 years
Students examine a variety of issues relevant to youth, pick a topic important to them and write a script and create digital photography slideshow. Watch an example project and preview Becoming Citizens.
Spark! Teen Dating Violence: 9-hour program; ages 15 to 21
Students watch a short film on teen dating and sexual violence and work in groups to create public service announcements that raise awareness of the topics. Watch an example project.
Coming soon! Neighborhoods: 160-hour program; ages 14 to 21
Each guide is available for a suggested donation of $10 each for an interactive PDF. To order email Roni Ayalla, rayalla@seattleymca.org or call 206-250-2456.
Program Objectives
Each Civic Voice Curriculum program is separated into four areas; Knowledge is Power, Express Yourself, Connect and Collaborate, and Take Action. Activities are meant to teach young people the following objectives to varying degrees depending on their age:
I. Knowledge is Power
Young people are guided through the information seeking and evaluation process by:
- gathering and evaluating information provided by external authorities
- gathering and evaluating information created and shared by peers
- collecting information needed to be informed community participants
- learn to communicate with community members, adults and peers
- learn to communicate through self-produced digital media
- are empowered to communicate with peers and adults both online and offline
- connect with traditional institutions and organizations
- create and connect with peer-initiated groups and networks
- develop a sense of belonging/affinity to online and offline networks and groups
- learning to identify and engage in activities defined by authorities
- learning to identify and engage in activities created by individuals
- planning an offline community action project with their peers
- developing an action plan to share their self-produced digital media
“Digital media technologies offer unprecedented opportunities to help young people learn to engage with public life. Learning how to develop public voices and sustainable networks can be enhanced through access to technology, content production and skills training.” - University of Washington’s Center for Communication and Civic Engagement
“The Civic Voice Curriculum draws on state of the art knowledge about how to help young people engage in public life. Trained staff and peer mentors provide great technology training in the communication skills that are useful in so many areas of life. Learning how to address community issues with effective advocacy is a great way to meet service requirements.” - Dr. Lance Bennett, professor and director of the University of Washington’s Center for Communication and Civic Engagement.
If you’re in the Puget Sound region and need access to digital media equipment, we can offer that as well! Contact Chris at ctugwell@seattleymca.org.
