HP Catalyst Showcase: Design Corps by the Learning Games Network

http://catalyst.nmc.org

How many students would prefer to be making a difference in the world right now if they could? Based on the results of an extraordinary partnership between the Learning Games Network in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the P20 Innovation Lab at the University of Kentucky, and the Student Technology Leadership Program of Kentucky Department of Education, it appears a great many would. Called the Design Corps, the partnership is based on a participatory national program that inspires teachers and students to excel in new methods of exploring STEM concepts by creating challenge-based learning projects — immersing teachers and students in a collaborative process that requires the adoption of new 'roles' of teacher facilitated, student-driven inquiry and design.

Design Corps currently engages 6,000+ students and teachers. Students delve deeper into the course content as they apply their newly acquired knowledge in designing a playful learning experience. They are more motivated — even empowered — because they are realizing their own creative visions and, in turn, are making more concrete connections
between what they learn and how that knowledge can be applied. Partnering with the state of Kentucky, Design Corps will be embedded into their statewide Student Technology Leadership Program, which supports teachers and students in conducting technology and project-based learning.

Researchers at the University of Kentucky's P20 Innovation Lab will study the effectiveness of this approach and pedagogy. The P20 Innovation Lab will a team of 25 teacher-researchers known as the "Kentucky Game-Changers," who will serve as the on-the-ground catalysts and action researchers for this project. Together they will study the impact of this approach and how it relates to existing statewide efforts to refine and scale pre-service and in-service
teacher training on new STEM pedagogical approaches.

Category:

Education

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