Club Tech

Published: November 17, 2005

Creating Digital Opportunities for America’s Youth

Club Tech is a five–year, US$100 million program of Microsoft and Boys & Girls Clubs of America whose mission is to “technology enable” every club by providing software and developing and delivering curriculum, program management, and computer training for staff and Club members. This program, now in its fifth year, has made possible “the most significant innovations, improvements, and programs in BGCA's history,” according to Roxanne Spillett, President, BGCA. Club Tech has integrated technology into every aspect of the organization’s fabric—from the clubs' overall management to core programs including educational enhancement, character and leadership development, the arts, sports, and fitness. Club Tech programs are being implemented at over 3,700 clubs nationwide, bringing technology access to more than 4.4 million underserved youth. Access to technology levels the “virtual playing field,” providing youth of all ages and circumstances the same resources and skills to help them perform better in school and eventually in the workplace.

As of October 2005, over 1,800 Club Tech technology centers have been installed in Boys & Girls Clubs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Over $60 million in software has been donated for use in Clubs and over 7,000 Club leaders and youth program staff have received technology training. Curriculum has been developed and deployed in the subjects of Internet safety, computer hardware and software skills, digital arts, and Club core program areas, and an annual Technology Conference has been instituted to provide Club staff the opportunity to come together and share best practices around technology. YouthNet, a Web site designed for youth by youth, can be accessed online. The program has leveraged over $80 million of additional technology support to Boys & Girls Clubs from private and public sector partners.

Club Tech has received national and international attention, with presentations at the United Nations, Banff New Media Institute, SIG–GRAPH Conference, World Summit on Information Society (Tunis 2005), CTCNet, and N–TEN meetings and conferences. Club Tech resources and the Digital Arts Suite program content have been shared with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Canada.

Club Tech Programs

Club Tech programs include:

• Getting Started With Technology and Stay Safe On–Line: This guide and Internet safety program help Clubs begin technology planning and promote safe Internet use.
• YouthNet (bgcayouthnet.org): This Web site, designed for youth by youth, is dedicated to promoting youth development outcomes, fostering inter–club collaboration, expanding club resources, and empowering youth as content developers and monitors of their online community.
• Skill Tech I and II: These basic computer skills programs are available on YouthNet in English and Spanish. Skill Tech: Basic Training develops club members' proficiency with word processing, spreadsheet, and other productivity software through fun, hands–on, engaging lessons and projects for four age groups. Skill Tech II picks up where Skill Tech: Basic Training leaves off. It focuses on developing specific, age–appropriate technology skills with an emphasis on computer hardware, networking, and the Internet. It is designed to teach advanced yet practical technology skills to Club members.
• Core Tech: This user–friendly collection of activity books can be used by Core Program Area staff with members in the Club technology centers. Core Tech offers kids of all interests the opportunity to learn about and appreciate technology through hands–on and interactive theme–based activities.
• Digital Arts Suite: Combining technology and the arts, Digital Arts Suite (available in English and Spanish) is an engaging suite of five Web–based programs for members of all ages and technical abilities. Digital Arts Suite provides participants with skills in various Microsoft software programs such as Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft FrontPage, Microsoft Movie Maker, and Microsoft Digital Image Pro, while exposing them to new, creative uses for technology, including areas of potential career interest. The five program areas include:
  
  • Web Tech—teaches the basics of creating Web sites, advancing to more advanced sites that include page links, graphics, text and sound, learning important design lessons along the way.
  • Design Tech—teaches artistic concepts and technology skills that allow students to create professional-quality print materials and animation, including logos and posters.
  • Photo Tech—explores the photo composition of digital photos and the effects of distance and angle. Then participants learn how to use photo-editing software, from completing basic tasks, such as cropping and color and light adjustment, to taking on advanced projects that use image filters and layering.
  • Music Tech—explores a variety of digital music software applications and basic music theory where members learn to mix musical loops and compose and record original songs.
  • Movie Tech—helps members learn how to write screenplays, film their own movies, and edit their raw footage into a finished piece.
• Digital Arts Festivals: Held annually, each festival celebrates club members' creativity and is the culmination of one of the five technology and arts programs within the Digital Arts Suite. Festival winners and participants are recognized at local, regional, and national levels.
• The Activity Exchange: This searchable, interactive database offers easy-to-implement activities from every Core Program Area accessible from www.bgca.net.
• Training: Extensive and on–going training is provided to club professionals to equip them with the necessary knowledge to effectively introduce technology to Club members and to integrate technology into the administrative workings of the Club. Training includes in–person training as well as distance learning opportunities such as conference calls, Web conferences, and a video training library.
• T3: This program offers more technical training and programs for “cyber-teens” who have shown a heightened interest and ability in technology. T3 members assist staff and other Club members in the technology center, run Club help desks, learn about high–tech careers, and implement annual projects that use technology to better the Club or community, all while developing their own advanced computing skills.
• Conferences: The National Education & Technology Summit (NETS) focuses on the integration of technology and education programs. Local Club professionals come together to explore ways to improve programs in these two areas and to learn how to better blend these areas to increase member learning and technology skills. In addition, technology training for staff and Club leadership is provided at other BGCA conferences.

More Information

Putting Youth Creativity on Display

Digital Arts Festivals: Club Youth Merge Art and Technology to Unleash Creativity

Spreading Digital Inspiration to Boys & Girls Clubs in the United States and Abroad

Learn more about the program and view Club Tech video demos online (bgcayouth.net)

A Club Tech independent review finds innovation in art, technology, and teaching is top–rated in youth technology programs (bgca.org)

 Top of page