Rethinking Learning in the Digital Age

Mitchel Resnick, LEGO Papert Professor of Learning Research and head of the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab, explores how new technologies can engage people in creative learning experiences. Resnick's research group developed the "programmable brick" technology that inspired the LEGO Mindstorms robotics kit. He co-founded the Computer Clubhouse project, a worldwide network of after-school centers where youth from low-income communities learn to express themselves creatively with new technologies. Resnick's group also developed Scratch, an online community where children program and share interactive stories, games, and animations.





For the past 30 years, the LEGO Group and the MIT Media Lab have collaborated on projects based on a shared passion for learning through play. Today, the LEGO Foundation and MIT's Lifelong Kindergarten group continue this tradition, exploring new ways to engage children in creative, playful learning experiences.

Music Heals

"Music to me is like a sacred weapon for the planet" - Nils
E Street Band members Nils Lofgren and Charlie Giordano play for patients at the Children's Medical Center of Dallas in Dallas Wednesday April 6, 2016. Lofgren and Giordano played as part of the nonprofit organization called "Musicians On Call," whose mission is to bring live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities. Dallas is the 18th city where "Musicians On Call" has played for patients.
-- Visit Nils Lofgren page on Lennon Bermuda

The Earth Guardians

The Earth Guardians are "are a tribe of young activists, artists and musicians from across the globe stepping up as leaders and co-creating the future they know is possible". They started RYSE (rising youth for a sustainable earth), a diverse movement of young climate leaders who are taking action and empowering youth around the world to do the same.
Xiuhtezcatl Tonatiuh is a 15-year-old indigenous change agent, environmental activist, public speaker, eco hip-hop artist, and the Youth Director of Earth Guardians. He performs internationally at music festivals, organizes demonstrations, and has spoken at over 100 high-impact rallies, events and conferences around the globe. He and his brother, Itzcuauhtli, regularly give school presentations to ignite and inspire youth to step up as leaders and take action on behalf of the planet In 2013, Xiuhtezcatl received the 2013 United States Community Service Award from President Obama, and was the youngest of 24 national change-makers chosen to serve on the President's youth council.
-- Watch Xiuhtezcatl on Climate Change at the United Nations
-- Watch Xiuhtezcatl Ted talk
-- Watch Xiuhtezcatl Youth Leadership Bioneers

Engaging students

The educational reforms of the last 100 years are predicated on information scarcity. Today, not unlike the early 1900s, children go to schools where they download facts that administrators then ask them to regurgitate, sometimes using computers. The world children live in now is information dense. We no longer need fact-distribution centers. We need spaces where children learn to identify, access, and utilize information from various knowledge systems in order to create change. What does it mean to be educated? Do we still need factory schools? Are we memorizing the past or imagining new futures? Dr. Kovacs is a high school English teacher turned university professor, and his research focuses on higher order thinking and intelligent behaviour. Excellent talk.
-- Read "An Open Letter to My Son’s Kindergarten Teacher"

What does it mean to be a citizen of the world?

Hugh Evans started a movement that mobilizes "global citizens," people who self-identify first and foremost not as members of a state, nation or tribe but as members of the human race. In this uplifting and personal TED talk, learn more about how this new understanding of our place in the world is galvanizing people to take action in the fights against extreme poverty, climate change, gender inequality and more. "These are ultimately global issues," Evans says, "and they can only be solved by global citizens demanding global solutions from their leaders." - Very inspiring
WATCH FULL TED TALK HERE

Creativity takes courage

For over 15 years, Julie Tamashiro has been a multiple-subject elementary school teacher. From Title 1 to the US highest performing schools, Julie has taught every grade level in settings that represent the diversity of the american public education system. Throughout her career, art has been the framework used to facilitate various learning experiences in her classroom. Her art curriculum has motivated students to tap into their creativity, challenge self-limiting beliefs, problem solve, and express themselves in extraordinary ways. Through the process of creating their own artwork, her students have learned to find their individual voices and have focus, determination, and courage. During the 2012-2013 school year, Julie and her students were the subject of the inspiring documentary, Room 19. The documentary followed the students on a journey of learning through art, and captured their unique personal transformations as they moved beyond their own expectations.



ROOM 19 - a short documentary from HOLLYWOOD SHORTS on Vimeo.