Sharing a new collection of resources covering the history of digital badges in Pittsburgh, plus key considerations and design principles for developing high-quality digital badges for learning.

Embracing the theory of connected learning, Maker Ed has proposed a new way to create and share portfolios.

The digital age brings a seemingly endless number of options for today’s learners. But it’s also easy to get lost. Enter learning pathways.

What defines something as an “innovation”? In education, what new ideas or shifts in thinking merit our attention and why? We take a closer look at what constitutes innovative practice in education, and why it matters for the future.

In gaming communities like Minecraft's, kids are taking the initiative to teach themselves—and others.

Young people today grow up fused to their digital worlds. And yes, being a screen zombie has its downsides. But instructors who harness students’ passion for social media can open their minds to a dynamic theory of education called “connected learning.” At its core, connected learning capitalizes on a young person’s immersion in digital technology and […]

The Literary Arts Boom is a place where Pittsburgh kids can explode with creative expression

Cultural Anthropologist Mimi Ito spoke at the University of Pittsburgh this week on connected learning—a new model meant to tap into the potential of information and online collaboration available to youth in a digital age. She sat down with us to share what connected learning means, and how to apply it to help today’s students.

A new Aspen Institute report focuses on building strong learning networks that facilitate learning anytime, anyplace, while keeping kids safe online.

This month the new Connected Learning Alliance is celebrating its launch with 30 days of art and podcasts on the theme of Making Learning Relevant.

Mentoring programs are expanding in Pittsburgh. And research shows these relationships do much more for teens than just boost math and reading scores.

When a local robotics team couldn’t afford the trip to nationals, parents, teachers, and business leaders from around the country stepped in to help.

Today we design our classrooms around the question, What do we want our kids to learn? Authors of a new report suggest asking instead, How do we create “need to know” in a child?

What does it take to ignite a child’s interest in learning? How do you transition these early interests into college and career choices? Activation Lab is looking for answers.