Melbourne intern Elise, talks about uses of technology in
youth work...
Technology is fast becoming the key way for youth workers and
other professionals to interact with young people on various
levels. This can be highlighted through providing information on
websites, instant chat via a social networking site or sharing
personal stories though blogs and assisting in facilitation.
Technology is a great foundation to allow youth work practice to
build from. Technology allows youth workers to dig under the
surface of young people and understand and support them without
having what sometimes is the confronting face to face contact. A
survey conducted by The National Youth Agency in 2008, regarding
social networking and involving 120 Youth Work Managers and
Practitioners, key findings were established. These key findings
suggested technology and online social working benefited youth work
in the following ways: promoting events for young people to attend,
establishing views on various topics from young people, keeping in
contact with young people and sharing photos from events young
people have participated in (Davis & Cranston 2008).
When discussing technology benefiting youth work facilitations,
many key factors can be observed. Firstly, using slideshows,
cameras and video or sound recordings often assists the youth
worker in maintaining engagement with the young people. In
addition, technology allows young people to express their feelings
and emotions; which words or writing may not be able to
effectively. For example, a young person may take a photograph or
film an image which best represents how they feel about a certain
topic, which words or speaking may not be able to achieve. By
applying certain creative technology approaches to youth work
facilitations the youth worker is able to provide easy alternative
methods in gathering information.
It is essential to include the use of technology within youth
work practice. When technology is applied correctly, the youth
worker is able to build rapport, engagement, understand young
people and their emotions and support young people without face to
face contact.
Davies. T., Cranston. P 2008 Youth Work and Social Networking,
The National Youth Agency and Practical Participation (online) http://www.gallomanor.com/files/GFSR.pdf.
Retrieved June 8, 2010.