Shaundra Daily, Karen Brennan

Abstract

Empathy is a fundamental component of positive and productive human relationships. In the context of civic engagement, the ability to "stand in the shoes of another" increases opportunities to avoid miscommunication and misunderstandings, to work together in cooperative settings, and, as a result create innovative solutions to social issues. In this proposal, we present a fourteen-week workshop being conducted with a diverse group of middle school children to use technology to foster the development of empathy and support civic engagement.