The MacArthur Foundation is supporting a HASTAC initative called "Reimaginging Learning" - a project that is looking for great ideas that support children and young people to learn in the 21st century and develop the skills they need to grapple with the challenges this century presents them.
The competition, which will form part of National Lab Day, promotes Participatory Learning. This type of learning focuses on the fact much learning is social in nature and takes place in both online and offline spaces where young people share ideas and explore the world. As the organisers point out, even President Obama has hinted at the need for this type of learning experience.
All the entrants have developed digital media learning programs that will engage young people in participatory learning. Entries are closed, but you can view the entries and give your support to your favorite through public comment on the site.
At GeekDad, we are fans of this type of competition. One that will result in an end product for our Geeklets to engage with, learn from and develop the skills to help make this a better world.
My favorite is the proposed "Mapping the Invisible: Connecting Digital Users to the Outdoors through Gaming" Project. It incorporates the power of storytelling and narrative and as a learning tool. The end product will be a virtual science-based mystery game, which engages participants in maths and science ideas, and unlocks an oringinal novel at each level in which the young person themselves begin to appear. It sounds like it brings together the capacity for the digital world to co-exist with the natural world and be complimentary systems.
A game like this would be fantastic.
So, show your support for this great competition and head over to the site and leave a comment for your favourite.
