About RU Connected
RU Connected is an intensive two-week summer technology camp focused on creating powerful learning experiences that are hands-on, social, curiosity-driven, and fun. In line with these principles, RU Connected will introduce a cohort of Detroit rising 8th graders to a range of free web-based tools--for screencasting, searching, annotating, photo editing, collaborative writing, and more--and explore their potential to turbocharge learning and creativity around the theme of "Deception: Seeking and Speaking the Truth."
Working with adult mentors, RU Connected campers will:
Beyond acquiring specific knowledge, the most important goal of RU Connected is to raise participants' awareness of the awesome potential of digital tools to support their learning and creativity--and to ignite the kind of curiosity and passion that will fuel their growth long after the camp is over.
A final goal of the RU Connected camp is to start a multiplier effect--turning campers into mentors eager to share their knowledge with peers, parents, and others. To this end, camp activities will double as training activities for campers to become coaches on a "tech mentor team" for the 2013-2014 school year.
RU Connected is organized and hosted by Racquet Up Detroit (RUD), a nonprofit youth development program currently serving 40 Detroit public-school students. The camp will be held at the Northwest Activities Center in July 2013.
Working with adult mentors, RU Connected campers will:
- learn skills and strategies for locating useful information and resources on the web;
- learn strategies for evaluating the trustworthiness of web content;
- study several hoax websites and discuss the dangers of misinformation and disinformation;
- build their own hoax website on a topic of their choice;
- engage in "serious play" with free tools for remixing web content (e.g., editing photos);
- create publicity materials for an organization of their choice (e.g., a digital brochure, a 2-minute promotional video);
- launch a personal digital portfolio of their work.
Beyond acquiring specific knowledge, the most important goal of RU Connected is to raise participants' awareness of the awesome potential of digital tools to support their learning and creativity--and to ignite the kind of curiosity and passion that will fuel their growth long after the camp is over.
A final goal of the RU Connected camp is to start a multiplier effect--turning campers into mentors eager to share their knowledge with peers, parents, and others. To this end, camp activities will double as training activities for campers to become coaches on a "tech mentor team" for the 2013-2014 school year.
RU Connected is organized and hosted by Racquet Up Detroit (RUD), a nonprofit youth development program currently serving 40 Detroit public-school students. The camp will be held at the Northwest Activities Center in July 2013.
Meet the 2013 RU Connected Team of Instructors
Connected Learning
RU Connected draws on the concept of "connected learning"--the idea that meaningful learning can happen in diverse settings (in school and out of school), with adult teachers and mentors but also with peers, for traditional academic purposes but equally for purposes with no direct connection to academic achievement (e.g., to entertain, to express oneself, to support a cause one believes in).
Connected learning is when you’re pursuing knowledge and expertise around something you care deeply about, and you’re supported by friends and institutions who share and recognize this common passion or purpose.
The following graphic encapsulates many important aspects of 21st century "connected learning." (To view the entire graphic, use the horizontal scroll bar at the bottom.)
This infographic is reprinted under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License from the Connected Learning website at: http://connectedlearning.tv/infographic. Read more about the principles of Connected Learning here: http://blog.nwp.org/educatorinnovator/connected-learning/principles-of-connected-learning/. Watch a video about Connected Learning here: https://vimeo.com/dmlresearchhub/connectedlearning.