What distinguishes youth media as a field of educational practice?

• Taking youth voices seriously. Practitioners listen as well as teach.
• Youth media works in school but thrives in afterschool settings as they lack power-based hierarchy, grades, self-selection, students don't get graded — the youth grade instructors' ability to teach or lead.
• Inquiry begins with the lives, challenges and perspectives of kids. Their lives are integrated into curriculum.
• Youth media intersects with popular culture, analysis of race/class/gender/sexuality - addresses real issues confronted daily, empowers them to understand.
• Conversation and discussion are integral to engaged learning processes.
• Mentors and youth build relationships of listening and trust.
• Practitioners are often artists and their identities as artists are just as important as their role as leader, facilitator or teacher.

These terms are drawn directly from interviews with youth media practitioners, facilitators and educators. Not textbook definitions, the Glossary contextualizes these terms as they are applied directly in youth media practices and pedagogies.