Open Learning within Communities

Bertram (Chip) Bruce

U. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Fulbright Chair, National College of Ireland, 2007-08

Open Resources for Learning

Learning from Existing Practices

• Marginalized communities and underserved young people– Racism– Economic oppression– Under-resourced schools– AIDS, diabetes, …– Limited access to

information• Guiding principles

– Social justice youth development model

– Community is the curriculum

– Live and help others to live

• Community Media in Paseo Boricua (Chicago)– Batey Urbano: poetry,

hip-hop, cultural expression

– Media studio, CDs– La Voz community

newspaper– Radio Batey internet

radio– Batey Theater production– Barrio Arts, Culture &

Communication Academy– Digital archive– International links

Beyond Paseo Boricua

• Extensions– Alternative Schools

Network– Community Schools

Movement– Community/university

linkage– International connections

• References– Learning Power:

Organizing for Education & Justice

– Beyond Resistance! Youth Activism & Community Change

– Dewey’s Dream: Universities & Democracies in an Age of Education Reform