Ullucci-Urban Education

Ullucci talked about the impact that poverty has on youth today. One major point was that youth poverty often face resegregation. This resegregation comes about because many neighborhoods are separated by different classes, with certain areas being wealthier areas and other areas being poorer sections. While being divided by class, these neighborhoods also tend to be separated by race. It just so happens that usually the poorer neighborhoods are inhabited by minorities. Since schools are separated according to geographical area, the poor, minority students all end up going to the same schools. Some schools and communities today end up being even more segregated than in the past which was really kind of surprising for me to hear; it's something I hadn't really thought much about.

Poorer conditions in these neighborhoods and schools also lead to higher health risks for youth for multiple reasons. Families can not afford proper medical and dental insurance so children are often going without. Also older, poorer schools and buildings were often made with lead paint which is harmful.

I think that poverty can impact youth development in many ways. First of all I feel that poverty in communities creates a larger need for youth development programs because youth in these neighborhoods may not have anything else to do after school hours. Many families can not afford to pay for sports or activities that cost money for their children. Also many of these youth are not being reached through their schools and really need enrichment through youth development programs. I think that effective youth development programs could make a huge impact on the youth in poor communities.

On the other side I would think that poorer communities may not have the funding to support as many youth development programs as other more affluent communities. It is sad that the communities that need empowering programs like this don't always the means or the resources to get them. But wealthier communities who may not need these programs as much have more than the resources necessary to support them.

I honestly am not sure which type of communities I see myself working in. I think that I would like to work with college-age youth. There are many different types of college campuses all located within various communities. Also the student population at many colleges can come from very diverse backgrounds, so it's hard to say right now.

Costello: Problem-Focused Services

What I most took away from this section of Costello's writing was that there is a huge disservice being implemented on the youth of today.  Youth who are involved with child welfare services are already at huge disadvantages in terms of not growing up in stable, loving environments. These youth are put through multiple difficult transitions.

Many youth who are put through such trying ordeals tend to act out in reaction to these circumstances. As a result of this behavior, these 'at-risk' youth then enter the justice system. The juvenile justice system used to be geared towards helping youth by rehabilitating them. However, more recently the juvenile justice system has moved away from positive youth development and now focuses more on punishment instead. 

I think that it is important to have justice in our society. But I also think that is equally important to support our youth, the future of our communities. It is an incredible disservice to these youth who have already been put through so many trials and tribulations to harshly punish them for not coping in an appropriate way. Instead I think that we as a society should be helping and supporting our youth by intervening in the first place so that they don't have to put through this turmoil if it is avoidable. In situations where it is not avoidable we should be teaching these youth how to cope in a healthy and effective way in the hopes that they do not get themselves into trouble. Preventative measures are usually more effective them reactive measures. Then in the cases in which 'at-risk' youth have not been prevented we should offer them ways to correct their wrong-doing and rehabilitate themselves to become successful members of our society instead of writing them off and dooming them to fail. In doing this we in turn are failing them.

Digital Natives

Growing up in the nineties meant that I was growing up in an era that was emerging with different types of technology. I grew up reading traditional books and writing with paper and a pencil. But we also got our first home computer by around the time I was in middle school. Technology slowly started to creep into different aspects of our lives and become more prevalent in day-to-day activities.

In terms of school, teachers taught using paper, pens, chalk and chalkboards. We were taught a lesson in which we were expected to sit down at our desks, listen, and take notes. Then we might do examples as a class and then show what we learned by completing the task individually.

Prensky brings up a very interesting perspective that the younger generations are actually beginning to think and experience things differently than past generations. Younger generations (Digital Natives) are being brought up using and relying on more and more technology in various aspects of every day life. Due to this difference, Prensky argues that the Digital Natives think, experience, and learn things much differently than past generations (Digital Immigrants). Instead of reading and writing from books and using pen and paper, Digital Natives prefer to do everything digitally on some type of device.

Prensky goes on to say the traditional format of education which has not changed all that much over the years is simply becoming ineffective at teaching students who are growing up in the digital era. Students are just plain bored, under stimulated, and not motivated to be engaged in what is happening in the traditional classroom setting.

I am pretty dependent on technology myself. I would be absolutely lost without my phone or laptop. I'm not so much of a tv or gaming person, but I absolutely need my phone and laptop with all the apps and programs that help to keep my life organized. As an adult I use technology to aid in my work, whether it be schoolwork or professional work. But I can also see how technology has become such a prevalent part in a younger person's life as well. Many youth enjoy watching television, playing video games, and using the internet and are used to a very fast-paced way of life.

As a youth worker it is important to incorporate some aspects of technology into the work you are doing with youth in order to keep them interested and engaged in the activity at hand. Times and people are changing and styles and methods should change with that to remain effective.

 

Youth, Technology, and Learning: Opportunities for Educators and Future Employers

 

Larry Edelman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGhhETB9RNg

A World Where Youth Hold the Power

It was really interesting to read the article, there were many very good points. I think one point that is recurring over and over is that people (namely adults) generally underestimate young people. Youth are hardly ever given the credit that they deserve or the trust and confidence placed in them to make changes in the world they live in (the world we all live in). The article really focused on empowering youth to believe in themselves and to reach their full potential to make changes and have a huge positive impact, which I think is great!

My own experience as a youth was a bit different than many of the experiences of the people in the article. My experience as a Caucasian woman may be different than that of a woman of a minority group. But I grew up in and went to school in Woonsocket, which has a very diverse population. Still, I feel that through all of the groups and activities I was involved in throughout school that I had an active role in my own life. But we (as students) also did not hold a lot of power over making administrative changes. So wherever you go it is still a work in progress in giving youth the power of action to make changes and make a difference leaving a meaningful lasting impact on those to come in the future!

About Me

Hi I'm C'Sondra and I am graduating this May, woohoo!! I am a senior RA on campus in New Hall, which I love! I am also the Secretary for Resident Student Association (RSA); we work to advocate for resident students and plan great events on campus! I also work as a shift leader at American Eagle which only feeds my love of shopping! I also love anything pink or sparkly!

Youth development is a good fit for me because I've always wanted to work with youth, but starting college as an education major, I begin to think that maybe the classroom wasn't the right place for me. Then through my work as an RA, which I absolutely love, I've come to the realization that maybe college age 'youth' are the population that I would like to work with. Either way I hope to make a difference and leave a positive mark on the lives of those younger than me throughout their journey of discovery!