Today’s media serves much the same purpose. The stories we see on the large or small screen, the images in video games and advertising are all meant as a means of enculturation, the “process by which an individual learns the traditional content of a culture and assimilates its practices and values” according to Merriam-Webster.

To not use today’s media in education is to miss an essential opportunity. Media isn’t going away and unless we sequester ourselves and our children on a deserted island, media will continue to educate our youth. So it behooves us to teach them how to use media appropriately and how to effectively evaluate the media they come in contact with every day. We need to teach our youth how to see and hear the story media tells with discriminating eyes and ears. Then all media can help support youth development because our youth are learning each day to evaluate, analyze and then produce their own version of the story.

At Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide, we believe in teaching digital literacy. We believe in the appropriate use of media to help our members learn and broaden their educational horizons. Through Club Tech, Boys & Girls Clubs educate their members not just to be consumers of media but producers of media so that their voice is heard and they too can be “educators” just as other media are. We help them to evaluate what they see in all different types of media so that they can choose.

Media educates. It is up to youth development professionals to guide and direct our youth to learn about media so that they don’t just learn from media but learn with media and use it to reach their full potential and grow into “caring and productive citizens.”

Judith J. Pickens has more than 30 years experience as an educator and human services professional. As Senior Vice President of the Boys & Girls Club of America, Ms. Pickens is responsible for developing and implementing national programs in five core areas: Character and Leadership Development; Education and Career Development; Health and Life Skills; The Arts; and Sports, Fitness and Recreation. Program & Youth Development Services is one of BGCA’s largest and most creative departments. It is mission-driven and acutely aware of the needs of children, youth, families and communities worldwide.

This Post originally appeared on the Learning from Hollywood blog on May 3, 2011.

Congratulations to Jay from everyone at Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands

Ste’Phen received a plaque and Microsoft Zune Mp3 player and moved on to represent the Midwest region at the national competition.

The Digital Arts Festival is part of the national Club Tech program, a partnership between Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Microsoft and Best Buy Children’s Foundation.  In contests held locally, regionally and nationally, Boys & Girls Clubs members across the world are encouraged to combine creativity with technology know-how to create a digital masterpiece in one of five categories – photo illustration, music production, filmmaking, graphic design and website development.

Ste’Phen’s upbeat ringtone, Wake Up Call, was required to fall under the theme “The Nature of Design” and was judged based upon age, power of expression, originality and technological skill demonstrated.

Through Club Tech’s Digital Arts program, members like Ste’Phen learn how to produce movies, music, graphics, photo illustrations and Web sites.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s Club Tech Program
Club Tech was created by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (www.bgca.org) and Microsoft (www.microsoft.com) in 2000 to technology enable Clubs worldwide, transforming Clubs from “swim & gym” to “point and click.”  Partnering with long-time supporter Best Buy Children’s Foundation (www.bestbuy.com) and Microsoft, BGCA provides technology program access to some 4.8 million youth served through Club membership and community outreach at more than 4,300 Clubs.  By leveling the “virtual playing field,” kids of all ages and circumstances now have access to the same resources and skills to help them discover their world; expand creativity; perform better in school, and eventually take their technology know-how into the workplace.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands have played an integral role in the Metro Community for over 46 years, providing daily programs and services to over 8600 members each year.  Club facilities in North Omaha, South Omaha, Westside, Mount View, Carter Lake and Council Bluffs are open every day after school and evenings with programs that emphasize character and leadership development, the arts, health and life skills, education and career enhancement and sports, fitness and recreation.  College graduates, many from the communities served, are trained by the Clubs as youth development professionals and charged with carrying out the mission of “inspiring all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, healthy and caring citizens.”

Wake Up Cal