6.4 Visions of digitality
Doc Brown and the utopias of youth work
The aim of the task is for participants to become familiar with digital concepts and techniques in the context of youth work and to be able to apply them. Initial inhibitions should be alleviated by thinking in utopian terms, and a feeling for the possible applications of visionary digital techniques should be developed.
Competence Area
6 | Digitality and society
Competence
6.4 Visions of digitality
Level
Beginner
Version
On site | with internet
All participants are in the same place,
a stable internet connection and end devices are available.
Method
Group work
Equipment
Educational materials
Training materials
Duration
90+ minutes
Procedure
This task consists of four parts.
In the first part, the moderator gives the participants a brief introduction (training material 1) to establish the task scenario. The participants then receive their work assignment (also training material 1).
In the second part, the participants form groups of 2–5 people and imagine a utopia in the context of youth work. At this point, fortune cookies with technologies (training material 1) can be handed out as an extension or aid. This results in “utopian designs.” Each group is first asked to record their results in graphic form. In addition, each group should use text-to-image AI to generate at least three visual representations that fit their utopia.
In the third part, the groups present the results of their deliberations to each other in a gallery walk.
In the fourth part, the participants meet in a plenary session, discuss the designs together, and then reflect on them. The visual representations generated by all groups can also be displayed here.
Preparation
- The individual fortune cookies from training material 1 must be printed and cut out.
- For the second part, a text-to-image AI should be selected that is easily accessible to all participants. One option is Dall-E
Notes on moderation
- Reflections on a technologically advanced future can quickly turn negative and thus tend toward dystopian scenarios. The moderator should be mindful of this and encourage participants to stay positive.
- Developing utopias is often more difficult than the opposite, as it is easier for us to think in terms of problems. For this reason, it may be suggested to proceed “backwards,” i.e., first think of a possible problem and then find a (utopian) solution for it. In doing so, the moderator should make sure that the participants do not get too caught up in problem thinking.
- Fortune cookies are optional and can be omitted if necessary.
- The use of text-to-image AI in the second part can be omitted if participants are unsure about using such tools. Alternatively, the workshop setting can be used to introduce participants to such tools. In this case, their use should be discussed in advance in a plenary session to ensure that all participants have a similar level of knowledge.