"Internet Photo Essays" - a YouthLearn Project

"Internet Photo Essays" is an inquiry-based project. Participants will formulate questions about social issues and events about which they are curious. The adult facilitators will help the youth participants figure out how to document, analyze and present their findings.

The project can be adapted to a variety of interests and ways of working. It can be done in sequence or out of sequence, in parts or as one continuous, connected project. Because many out-of-school programs follow an academic calendar of winter, spring and summer terms, an 8-week project is suggested. Assuming a typical term of 12 to 13 weeks, this schedule allows extra time for field trips; preparatory activities, such as group introductions; closure activities, such as family nights; and extension activities.

"Internet Photo Essays" introduces 12- to 14-year-olds to tools and techniques that can be used to create original digital content about issues, trends and happenings that are important to them. This project is targeted to 12- to 14-year-olds because at that age, current events, social issues, politics and history are common themes in students' schoolwork, in the literature and media they are exposed to, and in their personal lives. The emphasis on multimedia and Internet skills is intended to help youth gain the advanced technology skills they need to pursue higher education and employment.