Primary supports-group #2- Costello 2001

             Costello -Primary Supports

"A second human service sector includes organizations that provide a primary source of support by extending what schools and families offer. Primary supports offer a wide variety of cultural, athletic, social and recreational opportunities." 







Costello talked about the ways in which organizations are an extra help from what schools and family offer. It gives children an opportunity to grow, learn and feel safe. Its a chance to do something different and to find out others things that children can like. "Opportunities to engage in constructive activities, to explore new interests, to master skills in safe surroundings, and to enjoy the company of respectful and caring peers and adults." 

Costello gives the history of a few organizations that weren't just help from what schools and family offered but were also another amazing way for young adults and youth to feel involve, interact, grow and learn. He talks about organizations such as YMCA, YWCA, 4-H, and Boy scouts. These 4 organizations are 4 longest run organizations in the U.S. some starting around the late 18th century and others early 19th century. These clubs have a flexibility in the way they run things and engage students. "However, the education, training and experience of many staff in this sector are limited; they often lack the skills to create opportunities that fully involve youth."

After reading Costello's article it made me think about the after school programs I've been to like NUA (New Urban Arts) How they allowed us to explore every aspect of art, from drawing, to sewing, to photography. They gave us the opportunity to explore the arts and even create our own pieces. We learn to put a fair price on our pieces to be able to sell them and be able to acquire some money as an extra resource. It felt good to know that a piece of art that you made could be sold and can help keep a program going. Not only have I've been in an after school program but as I mentioned before, I've started one. I was the president of an anime club for about 3 years. I held it at a local library and even though I didn't think about the things that I did, I just did them because I liked it and I just wanted a place where I could share my passion and enjoy what I do. I realize that I was teaching things without realizing it. We did things like get together to talk about fundraising projects, we needed to think of ways to fund some money for the club in order to do other activities and buy certain materials, even plan trips. We managed to come up with activities and fundraising events that eventually acquired us to buy our own T.v. to watch the anime, supplies to draw and create manga, and even some money to plan our trip to anime boston. Although I was president everyone was allowed to voice their opinions, to speak and to give ideas. I think that part of the reason, among others as to why it did so well. now that I look back it feels amazing to know there were certain skills the club help teach to other students.

Costello also talked about professionalism and the role that an adult has in the organization. He states the pros and cons of having an adult, who treat youth as equals and listen to ideas and are supportive, Vs adults who just teach and do their jobs.
he states: "Though paid staff and volunteers may have professional certification or affilia- tion in fields related to their work with youth, adults in these programs often have no identified professional roles."Both ideas of having about the adults role to me have their ups and downs but honestly it makes me think about Youth in action, Nua,and  even youth development. I feel that even though there are adult figures, they help us a lot. I see them more as mentors and have more respect for them because, they treat me as an equal they listen to me but yet they also voice their opinions and ideas and even  guide us along the way . So I feel like if organizations were to have a similar balance I don't feel like the 'power' that adults have would be lost. To me its about giving and receiving and if they give us some responsibilities and some freedom then it really can work out. The adults will be allowing the students to learn, and they would be there to guide them. 

Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants

In the article Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants I felt that I agreed with the idea that we need to find new ways to bring in our students into learning. Finding ways to teach through a video game. I think I would consider myself a Digital Immigrant because even though I was introduced to things like the super nintendo, gameboy and the first flip phone, I was always late when it came to gaining the items. Even our first computer that my family bought was pretty late. But I applied myself in learning more about the digital world. I know in some areas I am totally tech savvy and could help someone else, like the basics of Facebook and the internet. But when it comes to the newer social media sites and games that are beginning to come out I feel a little lost and i tend to feel like i have much more new material to learn and cover. It doesn't mean I'm not willing to learn because I am willing. Its just that if I don't really see the use in learning it then I won't make the time for it. Technology is a big part of my life, I have a cell phone, I play video games, I have facebook and these are the items I use to connect to other people and to do whatever I have to do.

I think that its a great idea to be able to try and incorporate learning in a "digital" way. Like using a video game to teach certain concepts, things like math or even geography. Especially now living in the generation that we live in every child around the age of 10 or maybe even younger has some type of electronic. from a feel phone to a video game. So children and even the newer generations are requiring and asking for newer materials and ways to have the materials be taught to them. I did find it amazing how (Prensky 2001) talked about how some subjects will remain important to learn but how some of it like (Euclidean geometry) will be less important and like greek and latin might need to be taken out. Things that I couldn't help make me remember how certain students from youth in action were talking about why we need to learn certain subjects and why is beneficial to us. They wondered if some of the materials that we learn in school will come in handy when going out into the real world and using them in every day practices like their first job or at home.

I also think that the school should rethink what is important and what should be taught. Because I think there are many people who agree that certain subjects just shouldn't be taught anymore. In Wesch (2007) video the machine is us/using us, I was reminded of my first experience in using the web and how over the years that has changed. I once saw a video on youtube called Teens react to 90's internet reminded me on how much times have change, the electronics and all electronics we were probably used to growing up. But over the years we help shaped and change the internet as Wesch(2007) suggests, we are the internet and all the information we put into it. We have the ability to change things, rewrite information, add new information. All the items that appear on the internet today is part of all of us, our likes, our interests our hobbies, we have shared them with others and over the years others have adapted them, added them and changed them, so they've grown. Now we should find new ways to use that information, to teach the newer generations and to be able to still teach but keep the children interested. I have seen first hand how a child can learn when you try to teach them using their tools.

Im a sunday school teacher and the children I teach always want to be on their iPads, their Ds and all their little electronic devices. So when i used to teach them bible stories the old fashion way, writing and drawing certain things on the board, they found it uninteresting and they were bored. once i started bring my iPad and started teaching them by using the bible kids app, they seemed more prone to learn and they remembered what they learned. Because they see it as playing a game then just sitting in class listening to someone talk. That's why I feel like i agree with Prensky and feel that we need to find new ways to incorporate some of the 'old' teaching and adding some of the 'new' technology that exists today.

 

A world where youth hold power- thoughts

Reading this article I am amazed at all the information. I felt like I resonated with some of the students and even staff. This article really opened my eyes and helped to understand certain points that I didn't think of. Things like allowing debates to happen because sometimes it really does help us and critique us in a good way. Always finding a way to impact what you feel strongly about, helping others and helping your community to thrive.  I can sometimes be a shy person and sometimes I do have ideas but I don't  voice them out loud because I always felt shut down. Like my responses weren't good enough, or maybe people would never listen to me. So it feels good to know that it's ok to do that and that it's also ok if things don't always go your way but as long as tried and got your idea out there. Maybe talking about and flat least trying to talk about could lead to new ideas and conversations. It can even direct the group into doing something different. You never know unless you try and at least try to let your voice be heard. But it's also good to remember that it's not only all about your ideas but of everyone around you, so that we can all work together and move forward. To me It honestly feels good to know, that as a youth leader and even president of an anime club I was definitely doing some of these methods with the students. We always discussed and talked about how to better our clubs, I even liked to throw Ideas and let them speak their mind. But other ideas where new and I did learn a few new things that I hope to bring to the table when the opportunity arises again. As a teen in my high school and even at home I had always felt like I had no voice. Whether it was about religion, hobbies, ideas or throughts I always felt like there is no point in speaking out loud, no one was going to take me seriously. I feel like I agree with the article in which students and teacher should work together to devise new ways to learn, inspire, connect and think.  It helps us to reflect and create a better ideas and a better world. By trying to listen to each other it helps us to see all of our ideas and points of views, it gives us a better understanding of one another and helps us to work together for a common goal.

Pieces of Mishy

About ME

          Hello everyone!
       
         My name is Michell Rivera But I preferred to be called Mishy. Although my name in spanish is the same as "Michelle" in English. Many of my friends, peers and professors have had difficulty pronouncing my name, since it was spelled the way it sounds in spanish. Which is "Mi-chell." Anyways I am Hispanic, born here in the U.S. but my father is from puerto Rico and My mother is from Honduras. I am the first born, eldest daughter of my family. I read and write English and Spanish and currently I am learning Japanese. I have two younger brothers, so were a small family of 5. I am considered a 3rd generation Apostolic Christian. Mr grandfather was a pastor and my father is now the pastor at the church we are currently in. I Have tons if hobbies and things I like to do, so I won't go into too much detail but hopefully by the end of the year you will get to know a little more about the things i like to do.  I am the first of my family to be graduating from college hopefully in the fall of next year. I have switched majors 3 times, I started with education but hit a big bump, then i switched over to social work and still felt out of place and finally when i heard of youth development i felt like "That's it! That's exactly where I feel I fit in!" Now I'm working on finishing the few courses I have left so i can graduate and hopefully start a cool non-profit after school program regarding anime and comics.

As for being part of youth development I am really happy that I am here. I have always enjoyed working with adolecents or teens. My ages usually range but I feel like I can work with kids from the ages of 12 to maybe 18. I have worked with teens since I was the youth leader at my church around the age of 14 up until I was 23. I now work in seven hills and take of my cousin who has cerebral palsy for about 6 years now and he himself is now a teenager. I was was president and ran an Anime club at my local library for about three years, we did stuff from going to anime and comic conventions to drawing and creating manga.  So I have a passion for sharing and getting to know teens. I feel like I can connect with them and work ways to understand each other. I feel that I reach out so much to teens because I know how hard it is to be their age, they are still figuring out, who they are and what they want to do with their life. And I would really like to be one of those people who inspires them to continue on and to help them anyway I can. I want to help reach out, connect and encourage youth of the beauty around them.

Can't wait to get to know everyone else and i wish everyone the best in this semester!