DLI: Hive Learning Networks [Explore + Create + Share]: an infrastructure for connected learning

Accelerated by digital media and other learning technologies, the learning landscape for youth is rapidly transforming. Today’s interest-driven youth are empowered like never before to explore, create, and share their interests in fantastic new ways. As the landscape evolves and expands, particularly within online spaces, learning-focused organizations (both formal and informal) are struggling to meet youth where they are. With increased youth engagement in participatory practices and the boundaries of existing in-school and out-of-school program formats being stretched to the limit, the need for a connected learning framework becomes critical.

For these organizations to be capable of fostering new literacies in transitional spaces among the spheres of interest-based affiliation, peer friendships, and adult-driven learning goals, a new approach to learning innovation must be established.

However, the challenges of balancing competing pedagogies, emerging technologies, creative funding models, and complex communication are enormous. Working within this challenge space, the Hive Learning Networks are attempting to remix existing frameworks and re-framing traditional paradigms while constructing agile and open infrastructures for facilitating connected learning.

Hive NYC and Hive Chicago both include member organizations that prominently feature youth-centered program models that emphasize making, remixing, and tinkering within anytime anywhere learning spaces. However, each network has followed its own path to developing network infrastructure while maintaining effective cross-network collaboration.

From programs in Hive NYC that empower youth to explore their roles as citizen activists such as:

The Point’s A.C.T.I.O.N. project
http://www.thepoint.org/action.php 

to Hive Chicago’s YouSTEM project that incorporates HOMAGO and game-based leveling up strategies in STEM learning,
http://www.youstem.net/

the Hive Learning Networks are definitely increasing the velocity of learning innovation.

In this interactive panel, we will explore the products, processes and challenges associated with constructing the infrastructure for learning networks.

Panelist presentations will touch on many of the following topics:

•    Constructing an effective learning network infrastructure
•    Blending connected learning research and practice demonstration sites
•    Employing pop-up events as a way to generate a “buzz” for learning
•    Shaping, selecting, and funding multi-institutional project proposals
•    Cultivating professional learning communities
•    Sharing and disseminating this work to the funding community

General questions, such as:

•    What defines a learning network?
•    How do learning networks evolve?
•    What roles do youth play within the network and how is “youth voice” incorporated?


After a brief series of presentations by the panelists, the session will be opened up for facilitated activity that engages the audience members in a lively discussion about learning networks and their impact on the learning landscape for youth.

Engaging questions like the ones listed below should provide energy to the discussion.

•    How do we get youth, mentors, innovative designers and other talented people together to make interesting things?
•    How do you identify projects with a “network effect” or impact?
•    How do you evaluate process as well as product in a connected learning ecology?