Democratic Education in the Era of New Media: A Case Study of Urban Youth Radio

• In Event: 66.062 - Democratic Citizenship in Education SIG Paper Session #2

Abstract

This study used qualitative case study methods to investigate one new media civic education program that helped disadvantaged urban youth to learn the basics of journalism and produce radio stories about social issues. In this program, students had many opportunities to talk about current social issues and community problems, and learned basic radio production skills by producing radio stories. They also gained a new understanding of democratic media literacy. Such program, with thoughtful pedagogical design, has great potential to close the civic and digital learning opportunity gaps between privileged and disadvantaged youth.

Author

• Ching-Fu Lan, Teachers College, Columbia University