Open space with youth 9 - 16?

[ashley cooper]

Great suggestions here and so wonderful to hear of all the meaningful
engagements with youth.

I've hosted Open Spaces with the 6-9 year olds and I'll mostly repeat what
others are saying. Keep the opening short and simple. Invite them to draw
pictures in addition to words when they are posting the sessions (for some
writing is still hard). I've found that having a basket of objects that they
can choose to use as talking sticks is helpful for them in managing their
breakouts. I don't make them take one, I just mention that it's there and
let the hosts take one if they'd like.  Equipping youth with still and
digital video cameras is something they love. They were awesome interviewers
and harvesters and catch moments that often go away when adults are around.
And they take a lot of pictures and videos so you have to really be prepared
to go through the footage!!!

Usually I create a planning team that is made up of some of the youth
participating to ensure that we've got the right convening question and then
they are also able to welcome their peers and help open the space.

best wishes,
ashley

On Thu, Sep 17, 2009 at 9:27 AM, Shannon Hecker <shshanny391 at gmail.com>wrote:

> Hi Brett and all,
>
> I have just finished an Action Research Project engaging gr. eight boys in
> conversations around the theme of  masculinities/male youth culture using
> OST within their school setting.  They were super engaged and active in the
> process and remarked on the freedom to explore the theme in this format.
>
> Central to their conversations, and explored in depth, was the impact that
> media has on their lived experience.  Of particular interest to my research
> was how these boys interogated ideas of masculinites in order to address
> issues surrounding gender based violence.  A heavy topic for adolescent boys
> to tackle, but made  fun and challenging  by opening up the space for them
> to explore whatever they felt compelled to explore!
>
> This was my first time facilitating an OST event and, within a school
> context, which typically has curriculum and intended outcomes for students
> and some fear around addressing social issues, I was scared of how OST would
> be embraced by educators and administration.  There was trepidation and
> uncertainty but I expressed excitment that those are great conditions in
> which to conduct research and go forth with OST.
>
> To sum it all up, I am excited for you and your plans to engage young
> people.  Many, many surprising discoveries, and emerging
> possibilities await....Have Fun, Shannon
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On Wed, Sep 16, 2009 at 10:24 PM, Shikha Shrestha <sshrestha at bellanet.org>wrote:
>
>> Dear Brett,
>>
>> We once facilitated open space with young group for crafting strategies
>> for New Nepal. It is one of the most best experiences of facilitating the
>> open space. I have learned that they are very quick in understanding the
>> rules if we keep it simple. They are always ready to try new facilitation
>> techniques so there are less oppositions from these young sweet people:)
>> especially on the facilitation process.
>>
>> The group is very excited so when I did the open space with them have to
>> manage for more feather group spaces than I have imagined. So, get prepared
>> for more groups to form as they are eager to talk on each and every topic
>> with more enthusiasm.
>>
>> Using pictures, songs, stories and short drama as the form of
>> collaborative documentation also add more excitement to the process. These
>> people love fun so thinking of ways to make the sessions more lively will
>> make them enjoy the session as well as contribute more.
>>
>> Find someone within the group as co-facilitators also help you to ease
>> your facilitation management:)
>>
>> I suggest you to go ahead it will be something you will always remember.
>>
>> regards
>>
>> shikha
>>
>> On Thu, Sep 17, 2009 at 8:13 AM, Brett Barndt <barndtbrett at gmail.com>wrote:
>>
>>> Does any one have any info about using open space with young people ages
>>> 9 - 16? Are there any significant opportunities and factors to consider in
>>> design?
>>>
>>> We are working on convening open spaces in communities around the US for
>>> youth to explore their views, issues, ideal futures, and action dreams
>>> around the theme of media in their communities and in the whole world.
>>>
>>> We are very excited, as our initial inquiries with small groups of young
>>> people say they are very aware of the perversity in the US media all around
>>> them and specifically targeting them. They have many ideas, and need the
>>> chance to re-imagine media.
>>>
>>> We really look forward to their new ideas for youth generated media
>>> systems and formats, and the change that will happen in our media system as
>>> a result.
>>>
>>> Thank you
>>>
>>> Best regards,
>>> Brett
>>>
>>> --
>>> Seek first to understand, then be understood. Stephen Covey
>>>
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