Finalist videos now posted for comment!

Public comment now open on finalist videos for this year's HASTAC/ MacArthur Foundation Digital Media and Learning Competition at http://www.dmlcompetition.net/pligg

Finalists for this year's Digital Media and Learning Competition have now all posted their final three-minute video applications online. Through verbal pitches, story narratives, dramatic renderings, and machinima-style demos, the applicants have used videos to show how they are reimagining learning. We invite you to visit http://www.dmlcompetition.net/pligg to see for yourself and to share your opinions and feedback with the applicants.

In May, you will have the opportunity to help determine which finalist will be named the People's Choice award winner. Stay tuned to http://www.dmlcompetition.net for details!

Share your thoughts on finalists' applications!

We are pleased to announce the finalists for the 3rd HASTAC/MacArthur Foundation Digital Media and Learning Competition. Our first round judges had the seemingly impossible task of narrowing down an amazing field of ideas and we are proud to present these 67 finalists who are re-imagining learning in new and innovative ways. You can view the full list of finalists at http://www.dmlcompetition.net/finalists.php.

We invite you to visit http://www.dmlcompetition.net/pligg/ to read through the applications that have advanced to the final round and to share any feedback and your ideas as to what the finalists should consider in advance of the second round. On April 19th, these finalists will post a three minute video that further describes their idea (whether through a verbal pitch, a story narrative, a dramatic rendering, or a machinima-style demo), so your comments during this period are welcomed and appreciated. You will also have the opportunity to view and comment on the round two video applications after April 19th.

Many thanks to all the applicants to this year's Competition and to all of you that have shared your thoughts and invaluable feedback as part of the public commenting process. We hope you will continue to stay tuned and to participate!

2010 Finalists Announced!

The lists of finalists in both the Game Changers and 21st Century Learning Labs competitions has been announced. It's available on our web site, but I'll also paste the list below.

Soon their applications will be available online for additional commenting, and the applicants will be asked to add more detail including multimedia content to further explain their ideas.

Thanks again to all of the amazing educators, activists, and community organizers that applied!

Playing our way to a better world

Not many people think our Big Problem is that we don't play enough games. But game designer Jane McGonigal says that's exactly what we need to do. Even she describes this idea as "crazy," but she's also got a great point. What if all the time we spend playing games was dedicated instead to making the world a better place? And what if we could do both at the same time?

Check out her TED talk and see what you think.

Game Changers educate and inspire

The MacArthur Foundation's Connie Yowell wrote a great essay at Huffington Post this week highlighting the potential of the Game Changers awards. Here's an excerpt:

News of the competition has been making its way through the gaming community, and a number of contest proposals have already come in. They contain some provocative creative plots and adventures: finding a missing genius scientist, repelling invaders of human consciousness, and the proper care and feeding of aliens. There are some intriguing new potential heroes, too, including: "Sackboy," a Geico-like lizard named "Sal," and an invisible time-traveling professor named "Momo."

- Connie Yowell: Inspire a New Generation of Game Experiences for Children, HuffingtonPost.com, 2/8/10

Got an inspiring idea?  Digital Media and Learning Competition submissions close on Monday.  Apply now!

LBP and Snow

Last week North Carolina was hit with more snow than we've seen in a few years. This, of course, means school was canceled for most of the week. North Carolinians are not so adept at driving on inches of snow, and we don't have many snow plows! So one afternoon I brought my daughter and two friends to HASTAC, where they spent the entire afternoon playing LBP. They think I have the coolest job around! (They're right.) Check out the rapt attention and good times:

DML Competition re-opens to NEW applicants

Due to popular demand, the 2010 HASTAC/MacArthur Foundation Digital Media and Learning Competition has been re-opened to new applicants!

The application system is now open.  Submit your application between now and noon EST on February 15th.

• To be considered, all new applications must be submitted by noon EST on February 15th.
• We cannot guarantee that new applications will be given the opportunity to benefit from public comment and feedback on their applications. Newly submitted applications will not be available in the public commenting system until after February 15th.
• For full information about this year's Competition, please see http://www.dmlcompetition.net

As planned, previous applicants are now also invited to re-submit their applications to include ideas and collaborators that may have arisen from the public comment. All previous applications must be re-submitted by February 15th to be considered.  Click here to learn more about the Competition timeline.

Click here to create or re-submit your application now. Good luck!