What is work?

Work : (noun) activity in which one exerts strength or faculties to do or perform something:

a : sustained physical or mental effort to overcome obstacles and achieve an objective or result

b : the labor, task, or duty that is one's accustomed means of livelihood

c : a specific task, duty, function, or assignment often being a part or phase of some larger activity

What is work?

Traditional jobs for youth:

Retail

Fast food

Distribution

Catering

Babysitting

Traditional activities for youth that can be defined as a ‘job’

Student

Sports

Chores (with or without pay)

Volunteering

Traditional education earnings

‘Educational, preparatory work is the most

important kind of economically productive

activity that children can engage in –

preparing themselves as future workers’

So where does new media fit in?

Education is expected to be the primary

work of children.

New media fits into education with the

expectation that it will add to job skills in

the future.

Digital Media skills are mostly gained at

home and within social media circles.

Multimedia Education

Used to keep children engaged in the

classroom leading to the possibility of a

lower dropout rate.

Used to give opportunity to ‘at risk’

children

Gives some children the idea that formal

education is less important than a

vocational program in digital media

studies.

How is multimedia taught in the local

district, RSU 58?

Art programs include traditional classes as well as video game design and graphic design in all classes K-12.

High School courses include a vocational digital media design program.

Photography and other technical art classes use multimedia in their program.

Seniors must do a year long project - that ends with a 30 minute multimedia presentation – in order to graduate.

Local Media Projects

Students in RSU 58 have the advantage of using their ‘own’ laptops from 7th -

12th. Creativity via computer programs is encouraged.

Outside of school, the opportunities for children to learn digital media includes

developing, producing PSA’s using Claymation, digitally generated graphics

and acting.

How does Franklin County Fit in

to this chapter?

30,000 residents in the county

5,800 of which are under the age of 18

5,000 people living below the poverty rate

Graduation classes as small at 9 students (Rangeley, ME)

Current Graduation rate for Mt Abram High School is 86.67%. Currently there are 52 students in the Class of 13. Six have dropped out since 2010.

Northern Franklin County students are considered ‘at risk’ children.

Teens using media to “work”

This website was built by a 15 year old over 7 years ago. He was the

lead artist for the site and moderator for 2 ½ years. For no pay! That

teenager is now a media designer who gets paid real money for his

work.

Teens using media to work

Accessorizing is Jocie’s passion. She has made clay

jewelry, fabric and clay hair accessories and she

designs her own clothes. She posted a photo of a

necklace on Facebook and sold many pieces of her

art. This is not an overnight success story, but she

earns enough money so that she can pay for supplies

and have some spending money. This is her work

and she loves it.

Interview with a gamer: Learning

important skills through gaming.

What is it you do online?

Well, I organize over 700 players for in game matches.

Players of what?

MMORPG

What?

Massively Multipurpose Online Role Playing Game. You wouldn’t understand.

Ok. So what exactly do you organize?

We have several teams. I organize whose team noobs go to. You know what a noob is?

Yes.

We also get experienced players join so I organize where they play as well. And we also give out prizes and stuff.

So this is costing you money. To purchase prizes?

No, they are earned through the game and I transfer them to the winners of rounds.

What do these examples show?

These three teens learned life lessons outside of a formal education. They learned to funnel their creativity, passion and ideas into work, whether paid or unpaid.

These teens are (or were) considered ‘at risk’ students simply because of where they live.

They are each successful in their own way, even if they don’t follow traditional education.

Lesson’s Learned

Mike, the graphic designer, learned that he had creativity. He monitored a group of people as a manager would – viewing and deleting posts and users who violated the websites rules of conduct.

Jocie learned the value of money, how to charge for her creations so that she would make money.

Kyle, the gamer, has learned to organize a group of 700 people. That won’t be taught in school.

Do these kids have the right idea?

‘The road to happiness lies in two simple

principles: find what it is that interests you

and that you can do well, and when you

find it put your whole soul into it-every bit

of energy and ambition and natural ability

you have.’

--- John D. Rockefeller III

I think so.