Welcome to the lesson on tools and resources for digital youth work!

OBJECTIVE: Familiarize participants with a diverse array of digital tools and platforms commonly employed in digital youth work, ranging from social media platforms to interactive event platforms.

In this lesson, we’ll introduce you to a variety of commonly used online tools. Whether you’re already familiar with some of these or exploring them for the first time, this list aims to showcase their versatility and provide inspiration for their application.

1. Social Media Platforms:

• Facebook: A popular platform for communication, content sharing, and community building. Utilize groups and pages for youth engagement and outreach. Facebook
• Instagram: A visually-oriented platform for sharing photos, videos, and stories. Ideal for showcasing youth work activities and promoting positive messaging. Instagram
• Twitter: A platform for concise messages and updates, suitable for real-time engagement and resource sharing in the context of youth work. Twitter

2. Online Learning Management Systems:

• Moodle: An open-source learning management system (LMS) facilitating the creation and delivery of online courses and assessments. Ideal for structured and interactive learning in digital youth work programs. Moodle
• Google Classroom: A user-friendly LMS integrated with Google tools, enabling organization, resource sharing, and feedback for young learners. Google Classroom

3. Video Conferencing Tools:

• Zoom: Widely used for real-time communication, screen sharing, and collaboration. Ideal for virtual meetings, workshops, and webinars in youth work contexts. Zoom
• Microsoft Teams: Combines video conferencing, messaging, and file sharing. Offers features like breakout rooms and shared whiteboards. (Microsoft Teams)

Additional Interactive Platform:

• Gather.Town: A virtual event platform providing an interactive 2D world for real-time interaction. Features include custom avatars, chat tools, and collaborative tools. Ideal for networking events and conferences. Gather.Town

4. Collaboration and Productivity Tools:

• Google Drive: A cloud storage and collaboration platform for creating, sharing, and collaborating on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Google Drive
• Trello: A project management tool for organizing tasks, setting deadlines, and tracking progress in digital youth work projects. Trello

5. Multimedia Creation Tools:

• Canva: A graphic design tool for creating visually appealing graphics, posters, and social media posts. Ideal for designing promotional materials. Canva
• Adobe Spark: A user-friendly platform for creating videos, web pages, and visual stories, encouraging digital storytelling projects. Adobe Spark

6. Communication and Collaboration Tools:

• Slack: A team communication platform for real-time messaging, file sharing, and collaboration among youth work teams. Slack
• Microsoft Teams: Beyond video conferencing, it offers features for chat, document sharing, and collaboration, suitable for youth work projects.

7. Interactive Online Platforms:

• Padlet: An online collaborative platform for creating digital boards for sharing ideas, resources, and multimedia content. Ideal for interactive discussions and brainstorming. Padlet
• Monday.com: A project management and collaboration tool with visual boards and customizable workflows for organizing tasks and facilitating team collaboration. Monday.com

8. Data Collection and Surveys:

• JotForm: An online form builder for creating and distributing surveys, feedback forms, and registration forms in digital youth work initiatives. JotForm
• Google Forms: A user-friendly tool for creating surveys, quizzes, assessments, and registration forms with easy data collection and automatic response tracking. Google Forms
• SurveyMonkey: An online survey tool with various question types and customization options for gathering feedback in digital youth work. Survey Monkey

9. Interactive Quiz and Gamification Tools:

• Kahoot: A popular game-based learning platform that allows for creating and hosting interactive quizzes, surveys, and discussions. It can be used to engage young people and assess their knowledge in a fun and competitive way. Kahoot
• Mentimeter: An interactive presentation tool that enables real-time audience engagement through live polls, quizzes, word clouds, and Q&A sessions. It can be used to gather feedback, gauge opinions, and encourage active participation during digital youth work sessions. Mentimeter

9. Treasure Hunt and Scavenger Hunt Tools:

• GooseChase: A platform for creating and hosting virtual scavenger hunts. It allows participants to complete challenges, solve puzzles, and engage in team-based activities, making it suitable for interactive and engaging digital youth work experiences. GooseChase
• Actionbound: A mobile app for creating digital scavenger hunts and interactive tours. It enables young people to explore virtual environments, answer questions, and complete challenges related to a specific theme or topic. Actionbound

MATERIALS

In the “exercise file” section you can find a textbook with recommendations about tools selection for digital youth work.
You can download it and keep it with you as future reference.

Questions to think about: What tools do you use that are missing from this list? What would you recommend to other organisations to help them? What are the best features of a tool that you like to use? What is the one online tool that you was an organisation couldn’t live without? Add links to our working Padlet.
LINK: Padlet Link