Child-Led: Why Roadster works!

Roadster! can be seen to be an experiment in "connected learning", a learning methodology which combines  personal interests, supportive relationships, and opportunities in an age of information access and social connection.

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The Roadster! Magazine project speaks to the six learning and design principles of Connected Learning laid out by the Connected Learning Alliance: 

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1. INTEREST-POWERED

"Interests foster the drive to gain knowledge and expertise"

The theory goes that when a topic is personally interesting and relevant, learners achieve much higher-order learning outcomes. 

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2. PRODUCTION-CENTRED

"Connected learning prizes the learning that comes from actively producing, creating, experimenting and designing because it promotes skills and dispositions for lifelong learning and for making meaningful contributions to today’s rapidly changing work and social conditions".

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Through making the magazine children such as Sam learn new computer, English, design and investigative skills - skills for life. Through Roadster! children also gain early insight into work experience - journalistic skills, project management, social skills and the sheer joy of being creative and pride in producing something great for others to enjoy… all of which will stand them in good stead for the future.

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Child-led is a key element to Roadster! It is hoped that the more children get involved and contribute, the more they will learn from their production experience too. 

3. PEER SUPPORTED

"Connected learning thrives in a socially meaningful and knowledge-rich ecology of ongoing participation, self-expression, and recognition". 

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Sam's earliest and simplest ambition for Roadster! was to make something he could share with his friends. He achieved that ambition, and now his friends want to be part of it too! By printing and distributing a finished magazine to his friends, Sam has been able to share with his peers, get confidence building feedback, and inspire them to learn and participate too.

It is hoped that Sam and his team of Roadster's! will find and engage a wider collective of like minded children who are motivated by being a part of a much bigger idea. Seeing their work in a professionally printed form is a powerful tool.

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4. SHARED PURPOSE

"Today’s social media and web-based communities provide unprecedented opportunities for caring adults, teachers, parents, learners, and their peers to share interests and contribute to a common purpose. The potential of cross-generational learning and connection unfolds when centered on common goals".

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Roadster! is a cross-generational project. Adult facilitated. Child-led. Whilst I've always had an interest in cars I've never been "petrol head" but the shared goal of producing a car magazine for children has really helped me to engage and bond more with Sam, learn about new things alongside him, take joy in finding him new and rich life experiences, and help me tackle my own personal skills and behaviours - the canvassing and door knocking I am engaging in on his behalf is really putting me out of my comfort zone but helping with my own confidence and personal development.

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The project is also helping me connect with other adults who share similar goals and are also fired up by the possibilities the project offers. The amount of adults offering ideas and opportunities to the project, and the amount of professionals I've spoken to in the automotive sector who share the same beliefs, thoughts, ideas and aspirations for engaging with children - its really been quite astonishing!

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5. ACADEMICALLY-ORIENTED

"Connected learning recognizes the importance of academic success for intellectual growth and as an avenue towards economic and political opportunity".

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The Roadster! project is absolutely about developing kids academically. It starts with Sam - developing his academic skills in order to understand what he is engaging with for the content of his magazine and realising his potential. 

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There's also a ripple effect, as our readers engage with his content, learn from it and, we hope, are inspired from it to discover more themselves, either for the magazine and its developing community of Roadster's! or for their own independent and individual growth, helping them to unlock their academic potential.

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6. OPENLY-NETWORKED

"Connected learning environments link learning in school, home, and, community because learners achieve best when their learning is reinforced and supported in multiple settings". 

As a parent supported project, Roadster! certainly creates a learning environment for Sam, and I am in regular contact with his school about it for, as it grows, the project may offer opportunities linked to the curriculum. I am in touch with a number of museums and organisations to really being the education and curriculum links out in the project too. As more kids get involved I am looking to create a Community of Roadsters! offering like minded kids a safe, adult-moderated online platform to work together remotely on the project.

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For Roadster! to really work it needs to have forged strong employer connections in the automotive sector - working with the Roadster! adults to find ways to offer connected learning experiences and inspiring the future.