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[lars hasselblad torres]

greetings to masami kikuchi and everyone on the youth learn list.  i have=
 to
say it is exciting to see the diversity of backgrounds represented on thi=
s
list so far.

i am part of an artist-run organization in washington, dc that will be op=
ening
a center for new media learning in downtown washington, d.c. december of =
this
year.  the goal of this center is to provide highschoolers, ages 13-21, w=
ith
marketable skills in new media content production.  in particular, we are=

responding to a downwards trend in the city among young people: fewer and=

fewer are finishing highschool - truancy being the greatest barrier to th=
at
success - and lack basic job skills.  It seems little wonder that more an=
d
more are getting involved in felonious activities.

our center, mediaport, will act as a drop-in 'apprenticeship' program in =
which
students must complete 100 hours of training, gaining a broad understandi=
ng of
the field while specializing in one area of media content development. =

whether that 100 hours takes eight weeks or two years isn't an issue, as =
long
as they can demonstrate basic knowledge of the production process by the =
time
they complete the learning cycle.

mediaport will also provide a job and internship referral service to get =
the
students into entry-level positions with design and content development f=
irms
or professionals around the city.

right now mediaport seeks information on similar efforts around the world=
=2E  we
would like to review case studies that show evaluation tools, community
partnerships, and teaching methodologies that have been used to train the=

population of young people we are targeting.

we would also like to hear about funding resources!

i look forward to learning more from this group.

lars hasselblad torres
founder/director
202-483-2599

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