Communication can be a very exciting thing for young adults who are eagerly looking for ways to relate to the world. Here is an attempt by DEF to allow this aspect to find its true place by ensuring that the traps and safety nets are understood by the youth.
There has never been a time in history where a virtual footprint of any sort leaves behind a lot more than one can imagine because of which those who create content have to be responsible and accountable to their views. While the opportunities to express one’s views keep expanding, somewhere the freedom and an authentic sense of expression is fading in the distance. Hence, it is all the more important that the young are exposed to this world carefully and an awareness of being conscious consumers and producers of content needs to be created.
Digital Empowerment Foundation in collaboration with Wartsila Pvt. conducted a workshop on blogging as a part of their Digital Literacy classroom program “Digigyan” at the Government Senior Secondary School at Karnawas, Bawal, Haryana. The workshop was a one-day event attended by 40 to 45 students. The objective of the workshop was to educate students on the basics of blogging and how to use it as a tool for self-expression and communication.
Blogging was introduced, along with a brief description of its history and significance today, at the beginning of the workshop. A demonstration of the impact of popular blogs on society was also given to the students.
Attendees were then taught how to create a blog, select a blogging platform, and customize its appearance. As part of the workshop, students learned how to add images and videos to their blog posts along with using features like categories, tags, and comments.
Students were actively engaged in hands-on activities throughout the day, including creating their own blogs and publishing their first posts. During the workshop, the facilitator guided and supported students in exploring different aspects of blogging. In addition to technical aspects, the workshop also stressed the importance of creating original, engaging, and relevant content. The students learned how to generate ideas for their blog posts and how to write in an engaging and effective manner.
The workshop ended with a discussion of the ethics of blogging and the responsibilities that come with publishing content online. In order to develop critical thinking skills, students were encouraged to think critically about their online presence and the impact their words may have on others. The workshop eventually turned out to be a valuable learning experience for the students, enabling them to express themselves and communicate with others via blogging.