A new paradigm...

I'm starting to think that this initial process is leading to the development of some kind of new paradigm for youth work that includes the concept of digital media and learning, even though one might assume that youth work would naturally incorporate any new tools

Theories around the generation gap and how older generations assimilate or not to new developments are interesting, but even more interesting when applied to the managers and the academics who are also not pushing this agenda.

Thinking back to a presentation that I saw in the summer, where 1st year degree students on a  BA youth work were assessed on presentations of issues that were presented as collages on large sheets of paper, took me back to the 80's. Educators perpetuating their own experiences and not broadening perceptions to include all the innovation that we have around us today.  'Bright young things' wanting to explore youth work through the digital world would probably have been told 'no' in favour of sticking bits of magazine onto paper.

The moral panics of today - Facebook as a dangerous place - to play need to be unpacked in favour of the positive benefits. This is where a new paradigm is needed. Work in progress....