The MacArthur Foundation hosted an event at New York City's New School on May 17, 2010, which included discussions and project demonstrations focused on re-imagining learning for the 21st century.
Keynote Speakers
- Joel Klein, Chancellor, New York City Department of Education
- Karen Cator, Director of the Office of Education Technology, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Education
Other Speakers
- Jamin Brophy-Warren, Founder, Kills Screen Magazine
- J. Robert “Bob” Kerrey, President, The New School
- Keith Krueger, CEO, Consortium for School Networking
- Diana Rhoten, Program Director, Digital Media and Learning, New Youth City Learning Network
- Katie Salen, Executive Director of Design, Quest to Learn
- Julia Stasch, Vice President, Human and Community Development, MacArthur Foundation
The New Youth City Learning Network is a collaboration of New York City institutions such as the New York Public Library, the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, and New York Hall of Science working together to create a set of formal and informal learning opportunities that begin with personal interests, connect via digital media, and lead to educational outcomes.
Quest to Learn, which opened in September 2009 with an initial class of sixth graders, is the nation's first public school based on game design principles. The school supports a dynamic curriculum that uses the underlying design principles of games to create highly immersive, game-like learning experiences for students. It focuses on connecting student learning to the demands of the 21st century, supporting young people in their learning across digital networks, peer communities, content, careers, and media.