Showing students that they have a voice that deserves to be heard empowers young people to do more and offers a fresh perspective on many social issues – and technology can and should be an important part of this.  For instance, participation in live-streaming events and online chats will model what it looks like when disempowered groups speak up and take the narrative back.  It will also provide a safe testing grounds for the students to articulate their deepest  held views on a public platform, while also listening to other voices that may be far outside of their perspectives.

One key lesson that students can learn about technology is its effectiveness in making social change a widespread phenomenon.  No doubt students are familiar with popular socially – minded hash tags  and  viral sensations such as the Ice bucket challenge, which raised more than 100 million  US dollar to fight a single disease.  That challenge alone was the creation of one individual and a testament to how one person can single-handedly spur successful social change.

In this way, today’s technology can be effectively used to widen student’s conceptions of what is and isn’t possible in terms of social change .  That in itself is a powerful lesson in  its own, but you can take this further by encouraging students to use these experiences as a launching off point for their own initiatives. Why not, for example, have the class choose a non profit they’re passionate about and then come up with a viral video to rival that of the ice bucket challenge.  The possibilities are endless when you pair a good cause with a little creative brainstorming. 

By: CHARINA C. DIZON | T-I | Mariveles NHS Poblacion Mariveles, Bataan