This dissertation asks how the communication dimensions of technological literacy are understood in three informal education programs in Texas that aim to bridge the digital divide for female and low-income minority youth. Technological literacy is a prerequisite for economic, political, and cultural equality, yet different rationales for technological literacy highlight the economic, democratic, and social benefits for marginalized youth. Economically, technological literacy prepares youth to enter the workforce and positions the U.S. as competitive in the global market. Democratically, technological literacy allows citizens to participate in political discussions. Socially, technological literacy helps citizens make decisions in their everyday lives. Drawing from developmental democratic theory, I argue for an expanded definition of technological literacy that highlights the importance of communication and cultural production to democratic societies. Developmental democratic theory stresses the importance of individual development, including self-expression and creativity, to fostering democracy. I argue for an analysis of the digital divide that looks at capabilities, or the freedoms individuals have to pursue their own desires. These capabilities include self-representation, accessing information that is relevant to one’s life, learning to communicate about technology, and the freedom to achieve what one values. My research questions are grounded not only in the processes through which youth engage in technological learning through their participation in these informal educational programs, but also how the programs’ missions and activities envision technological literacy. Thus, I ask how is technological literacy conceptualized in three informal education programs? How is technological literacy implemented in program activities? How do youth themselves respond to technology and technological learning? I investigate these research questions through participant-observation, interviews, self-administered questionnaires, and analysis of program documents and students’ projects. I analyze these research questions in light of the economic, political, and social rationales for technological literacy. / text

This collective case study analyzed the experiences of current and past participants of two experiential education programs for low-income inner city youth in order to understand how participants developed personally and socially through their participation. Drawing on research on risk and resilience, this study focuses on programs that attempt to provide inner city youth with ‘protective factors’ against risks they face. One case represents the experiences of participants in an arts education program and the other in an outdoor education program. At each research site, open ended, semi-structured interviews were conducted with current participants (aged 13-15) and past participants (aged 16-21). Past and current participants in both programs described a series of developmental stages of coming out of one’s shell starting with experiencing success, leading to feelings of competence in abilities, feeling trust for group members, and thus, building the confidence to be one’s self. The agents of change in the arts program were: opportunities for self-expression without formal evaluation in dance, drama, music, and visual arts activities; encouragement from staff; and receiving positive feedback for performances from peers, staff, and parents. The major agent of change in the outdoor education program was overcoming challenges in a supportive atmosphere. Group and individual challenges were encountered during canoe tripping, ropes course activities, and the solo experience. A supportive environment was created by respectful relationships with staff and peers built through overcoming challenges together. / Thesis (Master, Education) -- Queen's University, 2009-09-30 14:30:02.386

Submitted by Mohamed Zakzouk (mzakzouk@gmail.com) on 2015-03-30T15:11:09Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MPGI Thesis--Dreaming up the Right Career (Zakzouk, 2015).pdf: 1790329 bytes, checksum: 5c2a462948c38c6cc88b6c7cf40e7c81 (MD5) / Rejected by Luana Rodrigues (luana.rodrigues@fgv.br), reason: Dear Mohamed, Please make the changes below into your dissertation and then post again. 1) On the first page your name must be written in capital letters. 2) On the second page, the order should be: FUNDAÇÃO GETULIO VARGAS ESCOLA DE ADMINISTRAÇÃO DE EMPRESAS DE SÃO PAULO DREAMING UP THE RIGHT CAREER AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF THE CAREER ASPIRATIONS OF LOW-INCOME ADOLESCENTS IN URBAN SAO PAULO MOHAMED ZAKZOUK SÃO PAULO 2015 3)On the fourth page, your name should be written with capital letters and the field of knowledge must be the same of your advisor, in this case is Gestão e Competitividade em Empresas Globais. After you modify your dissertation, please upload the thesis again. Best regards, Luana de Assis Rodrigues Cursos de Pós-Graduação – Post Graduate Program SRA - Secretaria de Registros Acadêmicos on 2015-03-30T20:27:09Z (GMT) / Submitted by Mohamed Zakzouk (mzakzouk@gmail.com) on 2015-03-31T17:17:47Z No. of bitstreams: 1 MPGI Thesis--Dreaming up the Right Career (Zakzouk, 2015).pdf: 1847653 bytes, checksum: 0942af6182879344d73ebbbc4b4d16f4 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luana Rodrigues (luana.rodrigues@fgv.br) on 2015-03-31T17:36:40Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 MPGI Thesis--Dreaming up the Right Career (Zakzouk, 2015).pdf: 1847653 bytes, checksum: 0942af6182879344d73ebbbc4b4d16f4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-31T17:38:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MPGI Thesis--Dreaming up the Right Career (Zakzouk, 2015).pdf: 1847653 bytes, checksum: 0942af6182879344d73ebbbc4b4d16f4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-26 / In Brazil, low-income youth is prone to unemployment, which is particularly problematic in an emerging economy where income inequality is relatively high, and where future socioeconomic development may depend on the growth and stability of an already vulnerable middle class. Youth unemployment, especially in urban cities, is also associated with high incidents of violence, illegal behaviour, widening inequality and sociopolitical instability. The present study complements existing efforts to advance the employment prospects of Brazilian youth, by exploring the career aspirations of 25 late adolescents living in low-income communities in urban Sao Paulo. The research was conducted by means of focus groups, over the course of four meetings in the Paulistano communities of Vila Albertina, Heliopolis, Vila Prudente and Vila Nova Esperança. The research findings largely echo existing knowledge pertaining to adolescents: they confirm the important role of individual merit, the micro-environment and role models (namely family, peers and local educators) in shaping and enabling (or hindering) the career paths of young adults, and highlight the flexibility and diversity of professional interests during that age. Furthermore, the findings reveal paradoxical attitudes towards low-income communities in Sao Paulo. All participants seemed empowered by elements within their micro-environment, exhibiting sentiments of pride and belonging to their community, yet many seemed troubled by how outsiders stereotype or stigmatize 'favela' dwellers. Overall, the study highlights tendencies that support the case for further investment in the professional development of youth at the base of the economic pyramid. As a potential ecosystem for socioeconomic development, low-income communities can constitute a rich source of not only human capital, but also business opportunities and employment. / No Brasil, os jovens de baixa renda estão propensos ao desemprego, o que é particularmente problemático em uma economia emergente onde a desigualdade de renda é relativamente alta, e onde o desenvolvimento socioeconômico futuro pode depender do crescimento e da estabilidade de uma classe média já vulnerável. Além disso, o desemprego entre os jovens, especialmente em cidades urbanas, está associado a elevada incidência de violência, comportamento ilegal, aumento da desigualdade e instabilidade sociopolítica. Este estudo complementa tentativas existentes de promover as perspectivas de emprego da juventude brasileira, investigando as aspirações profissionais de 25 adolescentes que vivem em comunidades de baixa renda na zona urbana de São Paulo. A pesquisa foi realizada através de grupos de foco durante o período de quatro encontros nas comunidades paulistanas de Vila Albertina, Heliópolis, Vila Prudente e Vila Nova Esperança. Os resultados da pesquisa repetem, em grande parte, o conhecimento existente que diz respeito a adolescentes; eles confirmam o papel importante que o mérito individual, o microambiente e os modelos exemplares (isto é, familiares, colegas e educadores locais) têm de moldar e possibilitar (ou impedir) os planos de carreira de jovens adultos, e destacam a flexibilidade e a diversidade de interesses profissionais nesta faixa etária. Ademais, os resultados revelam atitudes paradoxais face às comunidades de baixa renda em São Paulo. Todos os participantes pareciam empoderados por elementos dentro de seu microambiente, exibiam sentimentos de orgulho e que faziam parte de sua comunidade; porém, muitos pareciam perturbados pela maneira como pessoas de fora estereotipam ou estigmatizam os moradores da 'favela'. Ao todo, o estudo destaca tendências que sustentam razões para maiores investimentos no desenvolvimento profissional dos jovens de baixa renda. Na qualidade de um ecossistema com potencial para desenvolvimento socioeconômico, as comunidades de baixa renda podem constituir uma fonte rica não apenas de recursos humanos, mas também de oportunidades comerciais e empregos.