“Digital technologies are bringing fundamental changes to how young people learn, play, socialize and participate civically,” said Julia Stasch, Vice President of U.S. Programs at MacArthur. “And, although traditional literacies – such as reading, writing, science and math – are more necessary than ever, in the new environment, young people are mastering these competencies in new ways, and in surprising places."
"With digital media, learning takes place anywhere, anytime. So we must break free of the old-fashioned notion that schools are the only places for learning and provide young people with engaging and diverse opportunities beyond the classroom,” said Robert Gallucci, President of the MacArthur Foundation. “YOUmedia is an excellent example of 21st Century learning. Bringing the model to other cities will mark an important step in motivating young people to learn and preparing them for a globally competitive workforce.”
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced in April 2011 it would be investing $20 million to bring new national education standards into the classroom using game-based learning, social-networking and other approaches to capture the imagination of bored or unmotivated students.
The new learning tools that will be ready for teachers to use during the 2013-2014 school year will include video games that build proficiency in math, reading and science, as well as a new game platform that can be used for various subjects. Game developers and curriculum writers from around the world are involved in the project.
Their announcement also included a $2 million grant for Florida Virtual School, a statewide, Web-based school, to develop four digital classes based on the new standards. Two of the classes will be math-based and two will be literacy-based, but all will be encased within another topic such as engineering or natural sciences.
One of their funded projects is the iRemix platform, a hosted, cloud-based customizable social learning platform affordably available to schools, institutions, and organizations seeking to safely and securely connect children and adolescents with curriculum, extended learning and mentorship opportunities.
iRemix began with experienced educators, who drew upon classroom and out-of‐school experiences and research demonstrating the predisposition of youth to learn while acquiring beneficial experience with new media tools in a social networking environment. This concept evolved into the iRemix platform, a youth-centered social learning network providing numerous benefits to children and youth, educators, mentors, and their institutional or organizational sponsors.
