The Learning Community Group is dedicated to making innovative contributions to education, whether in interdisciplinary curriculum development, technology research, testing and implementation, or introducing web platforms to voice community concerns, news, and artwork. Experience has streamlined our approach to bringing innovative solutions to our clients. This methodology includes strategic planning, infrastructure, modeling, innovative projects and initiatives powered by TheLCG. This structure allows our clients organization to begin at the most strategic point for them based on budget and available resources.

In 2001, TheLCG performed a strategic review of the computer infrastructure at ABCD University High School. This included assessing current hardware and software capabilities, conducting a skills analysis of teachers, and developing a clear understanding of the schools technological needs and goals. Using our findings we customized computers for each classroom and designed and implemented a training program for teacher’s, to aid them in effectively incorporating digital media technology into their existing curriculum and lesson plans.

To model this effectively, TheLCG provided ABCD a Master teacher, with expertise in implementing technology across disciplines. The master teacher was an active resident of ABCD for a full academic year. Throughout the residency creative use of technology was promoted in and out of the classroom to enrich curriculum and lesson plans. This included providing technology focused seminars for the faculty to ensure their comfort with the hardware and software, and conducting one on one conferencing with teachers to develop strategies in re-imagining their lesson plans through technology. The Master Teacher would instruct high school classes giving the teacher of that class the opportunity to observe an effective model of technology integration. These techniques helped to create a confident, technologically minded, and skilled faculty.

In July and August of 2002, TheLCG, in conjunction with ABCD, assembled and employed 15 young people ages 13-18 from Boston’s inner-city neighborhoods to learn film and computer skills in order to produce a documentary about the Summerworks program. TheLCG designed the documentary framework so that technology was actively intertwined in both creating and enhancing the educational experience. The first half of the 6 week program, students learned about film history, utilized computer software to create and edit audio, music, and video tracks, and practiced performing the different roles necessary to create a documentary – producer, director, interviewer, camera-person, and editor. The students spent the last 3 weeks working in teams to apply their newly learned skills toward the creation of the documentary. In an extremely brief amount of time the students had the opportunity to gain professional media experience and build confidence in a variety of skills. In the process, they utilized their full range of learning styles – from visual, to auditory, to kinesthetic – and exercised their critical thinking skills both individually and in a team setting as the hundreds of details in developing and refining a multi-track, multimedia documentary were worked through.

The students worked together as a professional production team to create an insightful and creative documentary. The students produced their work with a Mobile Media Studio, a customized computer created by TheLCG specifically for media production. The video in its final form, complete with insightful interviews, professional visual composition, succinct story telling, and sophisticated editing is a notable achievement. The program was an example of how and where technology can be truly leveraged in order to enhance the opportunities for students to explore different learning styles, enhance their critical thinking skills, and develop high-level communication and team skills. The digital video comprehension that was gained empowered the participants offering a new medium for self-expression. Click here to read the research report. Click here to view the students' work.

As a result of the successes of this pilot program, ABCD redesigned its University High School’s computer lab cost effectively by commissioning TheLCG to renovate its lab with the same scrutiny and expertise they applied to their initial strategic review.

Functionality, volume of users and a platform that can be easily upgraded were primary concerns of University High. These defined elements of importance allowed us to customize a full media production studio in which every computer is a Mobile Media Studio. In addition, some computers possess professional music production and recording as well as DVD authoring capabilities.

The emergence of the Computer lab empowered ABCD to implement an after school program that replicates the Summerwork’s Documentary framework. In addition ABCD diversified its Urban College course offerings to include computer courses. Urban College has a documented track record serving as a bridge for students from literacy, GED, adult education and youth programs into higher education. It provides opportunities for students to be successful in college-level courses, complete degrees and certificate programs, and increase their confidence levels and ego strengths. The Urban College also arranges for college credit for ABCD and other agency job-training and staff development programs. Currently courses in Information Technology, Business Mathematics, Case Management, and Early Childhood Education are accredited through the Urban College.

The advent of the computer lab subsequently led to a surge in production of high quality student work. Eager to share these accomplishments, ABCD became a member of TheLCG’s World-Wide Community Broadcast Network (WWCBN). This allowed ABCD to broadcast their unique projects and programs to a world wide audience 24 hours a day. This model affords students an opportunity to build an online portfolio, share work with parents or relatives across the country, and gives ABCD the unprecedented opportunity to deliver their message and accomplishments directly to grant funders.

The evolving relationship between TheLCG and ABCD has advanced and matured. This synthesis has fostered innovative solutions fueled by imagination and commitment toward implementing education integrated with technology. ABCD will participate in TheLCG’s capstone initiative the Entrepreneurial institute. The EI fills an educational niche, allowing the students to apply their talents and knowledge in a “hands on” and supportive environment. The goal is to provide an intensive and meaningful educational experience for students interested in media production. Students are brought in as apprentices and our mentored by TheLCG industry professionals. The specialists have a passion and desire to share their knowledge. Their involvement ensures a high grade professional product way below market price.

The EI is revolutionizing the media production industry by bringing professional digital media services to community organizations and small businesses at well below market rates Professional-grade media services that once only larger organizations could afford are now available for everyone. Whether it is animating a Flash vignette, video taping a special event, or developing a brand for a corporation, the EI is dedicated to working with students to produce high quality results at an affordable price. (For more information visit www.the-ei.com).