Initiative in Innovative Computing (IIC) Harvard University

How can we cultivate and nurture today’s disengaged learners so that they become more creative and computationally capable? How can we help them to prosper in the high-tech global economy, able to manage complex communication and large-scale projects that are collaborative and computational?  “We cannot wait for higher education or special professional training to do this,” asserts our speaker. “We must start young!” Using a groundbreaking new learning network called Globaloria, the World Wide Workshop Foundation has demonstrated that practicing the making of games and simulations, within a virtual design studio embedded in a social learning system, can help students develop sophisticated contemporary learning abilities.

Idit Harel Caperton is a pioneer in using new-media technology for creative learning, innovation and globalization through constructionist learning theory. She founded the World Wide Workshop in 2004 to leverage her unique blend of award-winning research, business acumen and leadership in new-media learning projects around the world. Most recently, the foundation launched Globaloria to invent ways of using social networking and Web 2.0 tools to teach game-making and project-based learning to youth worldwide. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Dr. Caperton conducted breakthrough research at the MIT Media Lab that led to publishing the book Constructionism with Seymour Papert. Her book Children Designers received the 1991 Outstanding Book Award by the American Education Research Association. In 1995, she founded MaMaMedia and launched MaMaMedia.com, ConnectedFamily.com, and Papert.org. Pioneering kids' Internet media, MaMaMedia established global distribution and advertizing partnerships and won numerous honors, including: the Computerworld-Smithsonian Award (1999), the Internet industry's coveted Global Information Infrastructure Award (1999), and the 21st-Century Achievement Award from the Computerworld Honors Program (2002). In 2002, she was honored by the Network of Educators in Science and Technology and MIT "for devotion, innovation and imagination in science and technology on behalf of children and youth around the world." Selected MaMaMedia activities were recently re-programmed for OLPC. Idit holds degrees from Tel Aviv University (BA, 1982), Harvard University (EdM 1984; CAS 1985) and MIT Media Lab (PhD, 1988).