What are we working on? Connected Learning. Meet the Webmakers. Etherpop.

Mozilla Webmaker weekly update for Mar 22, 2012

Guest speaker: Mimi Ito on connected learning and webmaking

Each week in our Webmaker Community calls, we’re inviting guest speakers to blow our minds. This week it was Mimi Ito, researcher, author, and one of the world’s leading thinkers in how youth learn and express themselves through technology. Mimi talked about “connected learning” as a 21st model for education, and how it might inform some of Mozilla’s own work in education and webmaking.

New video series: meet the webmakers

“We are going to get to develop new technology that’s never been seen before.”

As we gear up for the launch of our new brand and web site, we’re working with the good folks at Thought Bubble — the animators behind “the Mozilla Story” — to produce a series of short videos starring the four major communities we serve:

  • youth
  • journalists
  • film-makers
  • educators

Here’s a sneak preview of some of the video they shot with youth last week in the Mozilla Toronto office.

Girls Learning code: what did we learn? How do we scale up?

Last week we told you about the “Girls Learning Code” camp in the Mozilla Toronto office. Here’s a report-back on what they made and what we learned from the process. There’s huge interest in bringing the camp back this summer — stay tuned for more. In the mean time, here’s some helpful resources:

Each team made their own web site using Mozilla Hackasaurus and others tools:

Team Action Script: Second Chance

 

Team C Sharp: Leave Animals Alone (L.A.A.)

 

Team Java: Sexual Rights Association

 

Team Onyx: MIVIJ International

 

Team Opal: Community Development

 Etherpad + Mozilla Popcorn = Etherpop

What if you could edit and annotate video as easily as editing text in an etherpad? Kate Hudson, creator of the awesome Popcorn Shakespeare demo, is exploring how to do just that with her new “EtherPop” demo. Paste in any video URL and add annotations and notes using Etherpad. Several people can collaborate simultaneously, too. Cool huh?

Kate is coming on board as an intern to work at Mozilla this summer — beginning April 1. So look for more great Popcorn work to come.

Mozilla Hackasaurus learning challenges + new Mozilla Badges

These new challenges and quests are designed to:

They’re all in early stages and seeking feedback. Let Laura know what you think.

Hackasaurus in action: Chicago

This video from Chicago’s Malcolm Williams at a mini hack-jam is a great example of Hackasaurus in action. Malcolm is a gamifcation expert and has an encyclopedic knowledge of superheroes. We especially like how he:

  • Uses a simple metaphor to explain how the Goggles work.
  • Adds drama and a simple superhero flair to the experience.
  • Shows off his own interest-driven hack.

Mozilla Learning Group: this is how we do

We’re constantly trying to get better at publicly roadmapping our work.  Here’s a post and wiki from Mozilla’s Erin Knight on…

What should every techie know about education?