STUDENT-CENTERED PROJECTS: RURAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS LEADING PROJECTS IN TECHNOLOGY, IDENTITY, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

Abstract

"CompuPower is a student-centered program integrating computer technology, identity exploration activities, and community outreach projects. The program was implemented in six rural high schools in Arizona, USA between 2019 and 2021. Students worked in groups in project-based learning environments to create technology-based products (for example, websites, social media campaigns, and public service announcement videos) and to explore their individual identities and skills as they set education and career goals. To understand the CompuPower program from the students’ perspective, our research team conducted a qualitative, retrospective interview study using photo elicitation (Harper, 2002). This paper reports on the experiences of 13 rural high school student participants from diverse backgrounds. It explores students’ CompuPower experiences, including the technical and non-technical skills they gained throughout the program as they worked on community outreach efforts."