Girls for a Change: Exploring the role of technological and visual literacies in a high school setting to create social change

Storytelling is an ancient communication method and educational tool that has valuable potential in a student-centered learning environment. A critical pedagogy focused on experiential learning is the ideal environment for storytelling to support students' emotional and educational development. The importance of harnessing new tools to build on the changing needs and skills of the 21st century learner is imperative for current and future educators. Research was extended into areas of curriculum design for technological and visual literacies, service learning, student centered learning, mentorship and digital storytelling for social change. A 12-week action research project entitled Girls for a Change conducted at a high school in Calistoga, California. Through observations, a reflective journal and ethno videography the process and outcomes were recorded to create an experiential qualitative research presentation. These findings suggest that adoption of alternative approaches to curriculum design for technological and visual literacy is key for the next generation of learners and world citizens. The paper concludes with an outline of a student-centered curriculum for youth interested in creating digital stories for social change.