LITTLE ROCK — Technology skills are critical for both everyday life and career readiness. To set 4-H members up for success, the Arkansas 4-H Tech Changemakers program equips participants with practical knowledge — and teaches them how to share their skills with the community.
The program hosted its 2024 summer training June 25-26 at the C.A. Vines Arkansas 4-H Center in Little Rock. Participants learned how to take photos and write captions for social media, how to operate drones and their applications for agriculture technology, how to create stop-motion videos and more.
In addition to teaching 4-H members about technology, the Tech Changemakers program requires participants to lead digital skills classes for adults in their communities. To help bridge the technology gap, 4-H members teach lessons in identifying phishing scams, setting secure passwords, basic internet safety and more. Since 2021, the program has grown from 30 participants in 11 Arkansas counties to 75 participants in 24 counties.
Cindy Phillips, extension program technician for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, said the program helps 4-H members develop independence through learning to teach.
“Tech Changemakers learn to plan and set up classes,” Phillips said. “They are responsible for the location, teachers and necessary materials. They teach the lessons. Some of them teach from the front of the room, and some of them teach one-on-one to help participants with the new skill. Our team’s adults are there to support and supervise, while our teens are in charge of all of the areas of the program.”
Michelle McVay, extension 4-H STEM instructor for the Division of Agriculture, said 4-H members enjoyed the variety of lessons and activities offered at the training.
“The kids are really loving it,” McVay said. “This is where the world is going anyway, to being more tech-based. Any opportunity you can get to have the kids engaged, interested and excited about technology, the better."
Learning by teaching
Lynn Lanthrip, Drew County extension 4-H program assistant for the Division of Agriculture, said the program’s teaching element helps participants better master the material.
“I love getting the kids involved with technology and getting a group of kids excited about teaching,” Lanthrip said. “I think this is very much needed. It’s awesome watching them find their spot in the thing they like to teach.”
Lanthrip’s son was a member of the first group of Tech Changemakers in 2021. She said he benefited from connecting with adult students in the digital skills classes.
“He was 17, and he never liked public speaking,” she said. “But he loved working with people one-on-one, especially with teaching older people. He would go in, and he would be the one at the back helping individuals, instead of leading at the front. It does give the kids who are not strong speakers a way to improve, and it gives them a good way to help and teach.”
As part of the summer training, Phillips brought voice coaches to lead participants in vocal exercises — helping 4-H members project their voices and speak confidently. Phillips said she was inspired by a third-year Tech Changemaker participant, whose public speaking skills and confidence improved through his involvement in community theater.