Civic Voice
How can students voice their perspective on issues that matter to them?
It’s important for students to learn how to craft an argument, publicly present their perspectives about civic and political issues, and develop their own civic voice. With the rise of digital media and online platforms, young people now have significantly more opportunities to produce and circulate ideas and information. At the same time, educators can help youth reflect on the public and persistent nature of online content and carefully consider what to circulate and to whom. Take a look at the resources on this page to learn more about helping students develop their civic voices.
Developing a Civic Voice
In this video, students participating in YR Media programs in Oakland, CA begin to write a commentary about an issue they care about, which they will later publish via radio and/or social media.
Watch how Teresa Chin uses three simple questions to draw out ideas that students can write about for a persuasive essay, commentary, or creative writing.
Using Digital Media to Support Students’ Civic Expression
In this video, ninth grade students create digital stories that illustrate their American identity and reflect on the American creed of today.
Watch students in Chicago use photo essays and social media to voice their concerns about issues in their communities to the mayor and local officials.
Infographics for Change
In this video, Chela Delgado guides her twelfth grade students to design an infographic that visually displays the key aspects of the issue they researched, the root cause, and a theory of change.
Digital Civics Classroom Resources
The resources in the VOICE module of the Digital Civics Toolkit includes hands-on activities you can use to engage students in considering what, how, when, why, and to what end they can create, remix, and otherwise repurpose content to share with others in online spaces.
Public vs. Private in the Digital Age
In the digital age, it is key for young people to consider what to express and to whom when sharing their civic and political perspectives online. This video touches on some of those core considerations and can be shared with your students.
Resources
Safe & Reflective Classrooms (Illinois Civics)
Analyzing and Creating Infographics [Lesson Plan] (by Nicole Edwards, Educating for Democracy in the Digital Age)
What’s Your Digital Footprint? [Lesson Plan] (Youth Radio)
The Internet, Social Media, and the Past [Lesson Plan] (Good Participation Project)
Social Justice Through Parody [Lesson Plan] (Youth Participatory Politics)
Voice and Student Protest [Lesson Plan] (Youth Participatory Politics)
10 Questions for Change Makers (Democratic Knowledge Project)
Digital and Civic Literacy Skills [Curriculum] (Learning for Justice)
The Research & Practice of Student Voice in Classrooms & Schools
Background Info
Ways to Improve Civic Education and Student Voice (by Stephen Sawchuk, Education Week)
Civic Voices: Connecting Teachers and Youth to Local Activists through Oral Histories (by Jozi Zwerdling, Zinn Education Project)
From Voice to Influence: An Introduction (by Sangita Shrestova and Henry Jenkins, Journal of Digital and Media Literacy)
The Digital Afterlife of Youth-Made Media: Implications for Media Literacy Education (by Elisabeth Soep, Comunicar)
From Voice to Influence: An Interview with Political Philosopher Danielle Allen (Part One) (by Henry Jenkins)