RFK-LA (Legacy in Action)RFKLab + Archive

A sustainable democracy in the 21st Century requires a MEDIA LITERATE citizenry,

which actively participates in civil society.

“…In such a fantastic and dangerous world... America must look to its

young people, the children of this time of change. “

(Robert F. Kennedy Speech, Worthington, Minnesota, September 17, 1966).

“What’s the matter with Kids today?” Bye Bye Birdy

Most Kids today are tech savvy, but not media literate. (They are not critical thinkers, effective communicators or active citizens.)

What’s the matter with schools today?

Most schools are structured on an outdated, 20th century learning paradigm - passive, insulated, subscribed.

What is needed for Schools to really work and for America to thrive?

Schools need MEDIA LITERACY PROGRAMS to train students to be critical thinkers, effective communicators and active citizens

Schools need to be reinvented into 21st century learning centers

Schools need to provide PARTICIPATORY LEARNING (social, active, authentic inquiry)

PROBLEM: THERE ARE VERY FEW MODELS to provide schools with the blueprints for 21st Century Learning

Most schools don’t know how to educate kids for participation in the new digital age, a networked society and a participatory culture

America must look to its young people but...

© 2009 Project New Media Literacies

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WHY RFK-LA is the MODEL SOLUTION:

RFK-LA is located in a perfect k-thru-12 cluster setting of six independent schools, with a wide-ranging, multi-cultural, multi-sector stakeholder mix to leverage digital resources. A place for students to learn 21st Century social and cultural habits of mind and Media Literacy skills.

RFK-LA IS A TRULY UNIQUE, MODERN AND FULLY INTEGRATED, Holistic LEARNING ENTERPRISE

A New Media Literacy EDUCATION MODEL, STRATEGICALLY DESIGNED & POSITIONED for SUCCESS in DIGITAL MEDIA EDUCATION & DIGITAL CONTENT CREATION

RFK-LA IS A STATE-OF-THE ART DIGITAL MEDIA CONTENT CREATION HUB, At the center of the RFK Community Campus, the heart of Los Angeles, Hollywood-adjacent, on the Pacific Rim, at the gateway to the Americas

RFK-LA is a COMMUNITY CENTER focused on social justice themed initiatives and providing new media studies and activities for social and personal transformation

RFK-LA EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION SPACE for a consortium of academic & digital media Entertainment Industry leaders committed to creating a media literate society focused on civic action and positive social change

RFK-LA Educational RESEARCH CENTER for longitudinal research and developing modern learning and assessment tools

THREE PART THINK & DO PROCESS TO INVOLVE ALL STAKEHOLDERS

Legacy in Action Dialogues -- a series of conversations where all stakeholders establish a common language and identify the civic, communications, and educational needs

Ideation Workshops -- brainstorming and creative play activities with all stakeholders to foster seed material to jump start new programs with community input.

Digital Expressions After-School Program -- 24 sessions over 12 weeks for RFK Community high school students to acquire digital media production and analytic skills

PROJECT- BASED PARTICIPATORY LEARNING

INTRODUCTORY PROGRAMS beginning FALL 2010

RFK-LA is designed to achieve NEW MEDIA LITERACY GOALS through community outreach, after-school activities, teacher training,

and other student and teacher workshop-based programs

POSSIBLE RFK-LA PROJECTS COMMENCING SUMMER & FALL 2011

2. The Robert F Kennedy Community Schools internet radio station project: a hands on, collaborative community of students producing and hosting live, interactive webcasts.

1. “Telling Stories Out of School” digital video project: an after-school filmmaking program to empower student storytellers as they tell their own stories, those of their families and the local community.

5. Immersive game workshops: Students work in collaborative teams to study and design interactive digital games that use full-body, 3-D movements and gestures within an innovative mixed-reality environment. 6. A media literacy program designed for elementary school children: to create their own interactive stories, animations, games, music, and art -- and share their creations on the web, based on the Scratch Program technology, developed by the Lifelong Kindergarten Group at the MIT Media Lab

4. The "Augmented Reality" (AR) Simulation Project: using mobile devices to engage students in simulation games that combine real-world experiences in association with the MIT Scheller Teacher Education Program

3. Participation Nation: an online network and game dedicated to helping youth understand their rights and protections guaranteed by the US constitution in association with Juan Devis, a Public Media artist and producer at KCET/ BS.

8. “Story Layers” a program that will explore the evolving digital cartographies and the ways we both use (and critique) maps other people have made; as well as layer our stories together as we make, collaborate, and share maps we have made.

7. “Action with the Archive” Open to the entire RFK-LA community, the goal of this series of lectures, screenings and conversations is to encourage adults and youth to better understand their role in the community and to imagine ways they might join the fight for social equality.

11. “Global Connections of the Americas” fosters an exchange and media-pal program that connects RFK-LA students with other students in South America through social media networks and centers around participatory cultures and civic engagement themes.

10. The "PLAY" (Participatory Learning and You!) Project for Teachers: offers a participatory professional development model that explores the five characteristics of participatory learning, the challenges of incorporating participatory culture into a learning environment and offers a blended learning experience of online and in-person to explore and practice the new media literacies.

9. “NatureMatrix” uses mobile technology to connect youth to the larger issues facing our time, and to foster active learning and interest in the hard sciences,by tying students’ inquiry to the environment in which they live, using its particularity as a gateway for learning about global issues as kids compare and contrast their home environment with the larger world. This program connects RFK-LA with Rich Blundell of Omniscopic.

13. A program for middle school girls: which encourages creativity through science, technology, engineering and math, in collaboration with Zoey’s Room, an award winning online community.

12. “Pacific Rim Exchange”fosters an exchange program that connects RFK-LA students with students in Asia through social media networks, around civic engagement themes.

POSSIBLE ADDITIONAL RFK-LA PROJECTS FOR 2011 & 2012

STEVE STAMSTAD, CEO RFK-LA, is a senior executive with management experience creating & marketing top- selling entertainment content for mobile, online and social network platforms. Currently, he leads the global product development and marketing for Electronic Arts’ Mobile Division, the world’s leading wireless entertainment publisher . Mr. Stamstad is a former VP of Marketing & Creative with The Walt Disney Co., a graduate of the University of Southern California (USC) Cinema; BA, Production; MFA, Motion Picture Producing (Stark Program).

JANE KAGON, Executive Director RFK Lab & Archives is a Senior Fellow at the USC Annenberg School’s Center for the Digital Future and a member of the UCLA Order of the Golden Bruins for her work internationally and in digital media as the Director for the Entertainment and Performing Arts Dept. at UCLA Extension. Prior to her academic career, Jane was an entertainment lawyer and a Hollywood production executive. She attended Mills College and UC Berkeley and received her JD from Loyola Law School.

PAUL SCHRADE, Board of Directors RFK-LA, is a former United Auto Workers leader and was a friend and supporter of Robert F. Kennedy, serving as his 1968 Campaign Labor Chair. Mr. Schrade used his community organizing experience to help create the RFK-12 Community Task Force in 2002.$ Composed of parents, students, unions and community groups. VICKI KENNEDY, Board of Directors RFK-LA, is a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. She is an educational consultant for Loyola Marymount University, has worked at Harvard University as a Head Teaching Fellow and and as a Fellow for the Derek Bok Center. She is co-founder of the Go Campaign and is currently designing a nautical children's museum in Washington, D.CMAX KENNEDY, Board of Directors, A graduate of Harvard Harvard University and the University of Virginia School of Law, has taught environmental studies at Boston College, where he cofounded the Urban Ecology Institute, He served as a prosecutor, is currently an Associate Scholar of the John Carter Brown Library, a Center for Advanced Research in History and the Humanities at Brown University.

MICHAEL HOY, Apple Computers has over 34 years experience in public schools and private sector support for public education, including five years as Senior Executive for Urban Education Initiatives for Apple's K-12 Education Division in Southern California. He is responsible for strategic planning.

THEMISTOCLES SPARANGIS, Ed.D.Chief Technology Director Educational Technology Los Angeles Unified School District. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in General Physics from UCLA, a Master of Science in Teacher Education and a Doctorate of Education from USC, specializing in International Education. He is a credentialed Teacher in Secondary Physical Science, having taught Advanced Placement Physics, Physics, and Physical Science

JAIME PEREZ Apple Computers, graduated from USC with a B.A. in Economics. With Apple Education he supports LAUSD and Charter Schools.  Responsibilities include helping k-12 customers transform learning while promoting challenge based learning and project based learning.

THE RFK-LA EXECUTIVE STAFF & APPLE & LAUSD TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS

The RFK Community Schools Staff, Teachers and Students

Curriculum highlights a range of traditions and adapts to the families it serves.

Ambassador School ofGlobal Leadership ASGL students see their lessons from the perspectives of other

cultures.

Los AngelesHigh Schoolof the Arts

Students learn real-world skills necessary for success in life and the entertainment industry.

NOW Academy

The New Open World (NOW) Academy develops globally-minded, technologically proficient students

School for theVisual Arts &Humanities

The School for the Visual Arts and Humanities (SVAH) program enables students to reach their creative and academic potential through a rigorous college preparatory education anchored in the arts.

The UCLA K thru Community School (UCLA-CS) prepares students for college, career, and engaged citizenship.

RFK-LA Lead University /Academic Partner

Henry Jenkins / Provost's Professor of Communication, Journalism and Cinematic Arts

As one of the first media scholars to chart the changing role of the audience in an environment of increasingly pervasive digital content, Jenkins has been at the forefront of understanding the effects of participatory media on society, politics, education and culture. www.henryjenkins.org.

Erin B. Reilly / Program Director

Erin is a recognized expert in the design and development of engaging educational content powered by new media applications. In her capacity of Research Director for New Media Literacies, she leads the development of a series of resources for educators and conducts field research to collect data and help shape the emergent digital media and learning field. http://ebreilly.com

Sangita Shresthova / Researcher Director

Sangita is a Czech/Nepali international development specialist, filmmaker, media scholar, and dancer. She currently manages Henry Jenkins new project on participatory culture and civic engagement.

Vanessa Vartabedian / Project Specialist

Vanessa is an experienced media literacy educator and comes from a diverse background as a theatre professional, filmmaker and youth media educator. In 2005, she successfully started the Media Technology Career and Technical Education Program for Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School in Massachusetts, where she taught for three years before moving on to teach a similar program at Madison Park High School in Roxbury.

Participatory Culture & Learning Lab

The foremost Academics in 21st Century Educational Models

RFK-LA’s K-12 LEARNING & EDUCATION AFFILIATES

RFK-LA is ideally positioned to align and network with additional educational partners and collaborators such as:

The MIT Scheller Teacher Education Program

Mobile Voices

RFK-LA’s POTENTIAL INDUSTRY ALLIANCES

RFK-LA is a one-of-a-kind programfor mutually beneficial educational-professional collaborations

STUDENTS WHO ARE MEDIA LITERATE AND SOCIALLY ENGAGED

GRADUATES WHO BECOME COMMUNITY LEADERS AND CITIZENS,

CONTRIBUTING REAL VALUE TO SOCIETY AND EFFECTING POSITIVE CHANGES IN THE WORLD

TEACHERS WHO ARE LEADING EXPERTS & THOUGHT LEADERS IN DIGITAL MEDIA EDUCATION

EXPECTED OUTCOMES FOR RFK-LA PARTICIPANTS

A LOCAL COMMUNITY COMMITTED TO & INVOLVED IN THE LEARNING OBJECTIVES OF THE RFK COMMUNITY