TOY - Trainers Online for Youth
This is a reference for Vladas Polevičius
The "SMART YOUth" training course aimed to equip youth workers, educators, and social workers with essential digital skills, critical thinking strategies, and media literacy competencies to enhance their work with young people in an increasingly digital world.
The training sought to:
1. Enhance digital youth work skills by providing participants with the knowledge and practical experience to integrate digital tools and technology effectively in youth engagement.
2. Develop critical thinking competencies to enable youth workers to guide young people in navigating digital content and distinguishing reliable information from misinformation.
3. Advance media literacy to empower youth professionals in educating young people about analyzing and evaluating media critically.
4. Promote online safety and ethics by raising awareness about digital privacy, responsible online behavior, and ethical considerations in youth work.
5. Facilitate practical application and collaborative learning by incorporating interactive workshops, role-playing exercises, and case studies to reinforce learning.
6. Strengthen networking and knowledge exchange by fostering collaboration between youth professionals from different backgrounds, enabling them to share good practices and develop joint strategies.
The training responded to several key challenges faced by youth workers in the digital age:
1. Limited Digital Competencies in Youth Work. Many youth professionals lack training in effectively using digital tools, platforms, and technologies to engage young people.
2. Increasing Spread of Misinformation. There is a growing need for youth workers to teach young people critical thinking skills to navigate misleading online content.
3. Gaps in Media Literacy Education. Youth professionals often struggle to help young people develop media literacy skills to critically assess and interpret digital content.
4. Concerns About Online Safety and Ethics. Young people frequently encounter risks online, and youth workers require up-to-date knowledge on digital privacy, cybersecurity, and ethical considerations to guide them effectively.
5. Lack of Structured Approaches for Digital Youth Work. Many organizations face challenges in integrating digital methodologies into their youth engagement strategies.
The "SMART YOUth" training course directly aligned with the strategic priorities of participating organizations by:
1. Empowering youth professionals with innovative tools to enhance digital engagement and foster critical digital literacy among young people.
2. Promoting digital inclusion and safe online environments to ensure that youth work remains relevant and effective in addressing modern challenges.
3. Enhancing professional development and competence recognition through structured learning, aligned with the YouthPass framework and lifelong learning principles.
4. Encouraging collaboration and cross-border networking by bringing together youth professionals from different sectors to share expertise, best practices, and innovative approaches.
The "SMART YOUth" training course brought together a diverse and international group of participants, reflecting the European dimension of digital youth work. The training welcomed 25 youth professionals from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, Portugal, and Romania, creating a multicultural learning environment that encouraged cross-border collaboration and exchange of best practices.
The target group consisted of youth workers, educators, social workers, youth project coordinators, community leaders, and youth mentors who actively engage with young people in non-formal education settings. Participants were selected based on their experience in youth work, motivation to enhance their digital skills, and commitment to applying the newly acquired knowledge in their respective organizations.
The international team of trainers and facilitators included experts from Lithuania and Estonia, each bringing extensive experience in youth work, media literacy, and digital education. Their role was to guide participants through interactive learning experiences, ensuring that the training remained dynamic, practical, and relevant to the evolving challenges in digital youth engagement.
This international composition enriched the training by allowing participants to explore different national perspectives on digital youth work, media literacy, and online safety. By working together, participants were able to compare challenges, share innovative approaches, and build long-term partnerships for future projects. The diverse backgrounds of attendees helped create a strong network of youth professionals committed to fostering digital inclusion and ethical online engagement across Europe.
The "SMART YOUth" training course was based on non-formal education (NFE) methodologies, ensuring an interactive, participant-centered, and experiential learning process. The training combined hands-on activities, peer learning, case studies, and creative digital tools to maximize engagement and practical application.
One of the primary methods used was experiential learning, where participants engaged in real-life simulations and case studies to explore the role of technology in youth work. For example, in the session on critical thinking and misinformation, participants analyzed real and fake news articles, applied fact-checking techniques, and discussed strategies for teaching young people how to evaluate digital content critically.
Another key method was collaborative learning, where participants worked in small groups to co-create digital tools and strategies for youth engagement. For instance, in the session on digital tools and platforms for youth work, participants explored various apps and online resources, tested their functionality, and developed action plans for integrating them into their work with young people.
Gamification techniques were also incorporated to make learning dynamic and engaging. During the media literacy session, a digital escape room activity was used, challenging participants to navigate misinformation traps and uncover reliable sources. This playful yet educational approach helped them internalize key concepts about media influence, bias, and manipulation.
To address online safety and ethics, participants engaged in role-playing exercises, taking on the roles of mentors, young people, and online influencers to explore real-world dilemmas related to privacy, cybersecurity, and ethical digital behavior. This method helped them understand different perspectives and practice decision-making in complex online environments.
The training also used reflective practice and self-assessment tools, such as the YouthPass framework, where participants identified the competencies they developed throughout the course. Guided reflection sessions allowed them to connect their learning experiences to their professional realities and future work.
By integrating these diverse non-formal education methods, the "SMART YOUth" training ensured that participants gained practical skills, critical insights, and applicable strategies for enhancing digital youth work. The active and participatory approach reinforced learning outcomes and empowered participants to implement new methodologies within their organizations.
The "SMART YOUth" training course successfully equipped participants with practical skills and knowledge in digital youth work, critical thinking, and media literacy, significantly enhancing their ability to engage young people in the digital age. Over the six-day training, participants deepened their understanding of digital tools, online safety, ethical considerations, and the role of media in shaping youth perceptions. The training also fostered international cooperation, creating a strong network of youth professionals committed to promoting responsible digital engagement.
A key outcome was the practical application of newly acquired skills. Participants developed tailored strategies and digital resources for integrating technology into youth work, which they committed to implementing in their local communities. Additionally, they co-created guidelines on online safety and responsible digital behavior, which were shared with their organizations to support further learning and application.
The training’s success was evident through participant feedback and evaluations, which highlighted:
- Increased confidence in using digital tools for youth engagement.
- Improved ability to analyze and teach media literacy.
- Greater awareness of ethical issues and online safety measures.
- Strengthened critical thinking skills for guiding young people in navigating misinformation.
- Furthermore, participants engaged in a final reflection session where they assessed their personal learning journey using the YouthPass framework. Many expressed their commitment to applying these insights in their youth work practices and sharing knowledge with colleagues.
The outcomes of the training were documented and disseminated through several platforms, including:
- The Society and Enterprise Development Institute (SEDI) website and social media pages, featuring articles and reflections from participants.
- Partner organization websites and newsletters, where key insights and materials were made available to a broader audience.
- Youth networks and digital platforms, where participants shared experiences and best practices from the training.
By addressing the urgent need for digital competence in youth work, "SMART YOUth" made a lasting impact, providing youth professionals with the tools and strategies needed to navigate the evolving digital landscape and empower young people in a rapidly changing world.
In the "SMART YOUth" training course, I worked as a full-time trainer, actively contributing to the design, facilitation, and evaluation of the program. My role encompassed several key responsibilities to ensure the training was interactive, engaging, and impactful.
I was responsible for co-developing the training curriculum, ensuring that all sessions aligned with non-formal education principles and met the specific needs of youth workers in the digital era. This included structuring learning pathways, selecting appropriate methodologies, and designing activities that fostered experiential learning, critical thinking, and peer exchange.
During the training, I facilitated multiple interactive sessions and workshops, covering topics such as digital youth work strategies, media literacy, online safety, misinformation, and ethical considerations in digital engagement. I employed diverse facilitation techniques, including case studies, role-playing exercises, gamification, and digital tool exploration, to provide participants with practical, hands-on learning experiences.
Another essential aspect of my role was supporting participants in their individual learning process. I provided personalized guidance and feedback, helping participants reflect on their development and integrate new knowledge into their professional work. Additionally, I co-led reflection and evaluation sessions, ensuring that participants could assess their progress, recognize key takeaways, and identify strategies for applying their learning in real-life youth work scenarios.
Throughout the training, I also played a role in team coordination and logistical planning, ensuring smooth execution of sessions, effective communication between trainers and participants, and adaptability to the group’s evolving needs. After the training, I was involved in documenting key insights, best practices, and participant feedback, contributing to follow-up materials that were shared with the wider youth work community.
My role in the "SMART YOUth" training allowed me to apply my expertise in digital education, critical thinking, and non-formal learning methodologies, while also fostering international collaboration and knowledge-sharing among youth workers across Europe.