1. Taking IT Global Digital Kids are Changing the World Michael Furdyk

4. I Haven’t failed, I’ve found 10,000 ways that don’t work! Thomas Edison

11. Social Network for Social Good Our Vision: Young people everywhere are inspired, informed and actively involved in shaping our world.

13. Source: Students in Today’s Schools, US DOE, 2003 The Engagement Challenge

14. Authentic Learning Experiences

16. … Breaking Down Barriers

17. “ I Think the World is Becoming a Better Place" Agree 14 % BBDO GenWorld 2006 The Hope Challenge

18. "I Think the World is Becoming a Better Place” BBDO GenWorld 2006 The Hope Challenge

23. Supporting Youth Action

36. “ We recognize that young people are the future workforce and leading creators and earliest adopters of ICTs. They must therefore be empowered as learners, developers, contributors, entrepreneurs and decision-makers.” (para 11, UN WSIS Declaration of Principles)

37. The Context of Africa

38. In a 2006 study of high-school dropouts done by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, almost half of the students say they dropped out because classes were not interesting and they were bored. The Challenge of Apathy 90% were passing students!

44. The Challenge of Access

53. The Impact So Far…

55. 63% of youth have been inspired by another young person they met on TakingITGlobal.org

56. 54% of youth felt they became more informed about issues that are important to them

57. 44% of youth felt enabled to have a positive impact and get involved in their community!

59. What can you do? How will you address student engagement, hope, understanding, and apathy in your school board or community?

60. Engagement Set up a Student-led IT Helpdesk to lower IT support costs and engage students in building cross-mentoring relationships with educators! (not to mention get them excited about a career in IT!) "The sense of a learning partnership with students and not being afraid to use the technology (even if we don't know everything about it) has given teachers a closer relationship with students."

61. Apathy Hold a subject-specific student game design competition in your district with a prize of training all the teachers on the game, and a trip to the Games for Change conference!

62. If young people were actively engaged in all aspects of society, and thought of themselves as community leaders, problem-solvers, role models, mentors and key ‘stakeholders’…how would the world change? Let’s wonder together… [email_address]