Verde Smoke

For Technology 2.0: Yes, We Can! event, co-sponsored by Boston Neighborhood Network, Northeastern’s John D. O’Bryant African-American Institute, and the Organizers Collaborative on Saturday, Sept 12, 2009.

Here is the final version of my master thesis submitted on August 11, 2009.

Full Document (2.5 MB, PDF)

Chapter Pullouts:

The advantages of participation, collaboration, and iteration shape the functionality of media tools like blogs, social networks, and user-created media sharing sites. At first glance, these tools should easily align with the stated values of many community and youth development organizations perched on edge of the digital divide in both the U.S. and abroad. The most critical growing disparity, thus, is not only access to these tools but also their integration into local programs that aim to empower individuals and build collective power.

(Give it a sec to download all the fun media files before you begin by clicking the arrows. OR view it full screen on http://prezi.com).

Also, download the handout/outline.

Primary Question:
How can participatory media tools be used to build the capacity of community organizations to support member activism and collaboration?

Primary Question:
How can participatory media tools be used to build the capacity of organizations to support member activism, collaboration, and leadership?

Analysis:

I create media because not only to express my voice, but also to join communities. The participatory media tools I use, such as online social networks and make-your-own video games, are fueled by the principles of collaboration, personal creation, iteration, accessibility, and sustainability.

Presentation of my thesis problem statement as a set of visual diagrams, in writing seminar last week.

[Please send comments!]

Values identify those objects, conditions or characteristics that an organization considers important and uses as guide for action. On the surface, the values that fuel the design and use of participatory media tools are the same as the values stated in most youth development organization’s vision statements. Specifically, these values include collaboration, personal creation, iteration, accessibility, and sustainability.

I often struggle with my decision to be a proponent of participatory media in the community-organizing field. There often seems to be bigger fish to fry or easier ways to get stories out there.