Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is YouthLearn?
2. What's the history of the YouthLearn initiative?
3. How does YouthLearn help under-served young people?
4. What kinds of services does YouthLearn provide?
5. Who should get involved?
6. Does YouthLearn work with schools as well?
7. How can I contact Youthlearn if I want to:
   a. Explore training?
   b. Order Materials?
   c. Sign up for the discussion list?
8. Where can I find out more about:
   a. doing project-based learning?
   b. integrating technology into programs for youth?
9. How can I support YouthLearn?
   

1. What is YouthLearn?

YouthLearn is a growing nonprofit initiative to advance the education and well-being of young people through youth-driven, technology-infused learning. The YouthLearn Initiative offers youth development professionals and educators comprehensive services and resources for using technology to design exciting learning environments. Created by the Morino Institute and now led by Education Development Center, YouthLearn provides tools to start or strengthen both after-school and in-school programs.

2. What's the history of the YouthLearn Initiative?

After incubating and building the YouthLearn Initiative into a thriving online learning community and web-based resource center frequented by hundreds of after-school instructors and classroom teachers, the Morino Institute focused its efforts on finding a strategic partner to assume the ongoing leadership of YouthLearn and ensure its growth and advancement. The Institute selected EDC, one of the nation's leading nonprofit education organizations, with hundreds of quality learning projects around the globe.

3. How does YouthLearn help under-served young people?

In a field that is under-developed and resource-poor, especially in disadvantaged communities, YouthLearn helps youth development professionals in their efforts to engage young people and cultivate intellectual and emotional development. YouthLearn conducts outreach to bring more practitioners working in disadvantaged communities into our community of practice, and offers free or low-cost tools and services to staff seeking to engage young people from all backgrounds in powerful learning experiences.

4. What kinds of services does YouthLearn provide?

YouthLearn offers training, online and print educational materials, a learning community of practitioners, field-based initiatives, technical assistance, and other resources for organizations and individuals interested in engaging young people.



• Training is tailored to the needs of your organization and includes online and/or face-to-face sessions, 90-minute to intensive 3-day workshops, regional or national events, and more.
• The YouthLearn Website shares field-tested materials, including planning guides and teaching techniques, for creating exciting learning environments.
• The YouthLearn Guide is a 160-page handbook with worksheets and sample activities for starting or strengthening learning programs.
• The Online Community is a forum where hundreds of youth development professionals exchange ideas, share resources, and make valuable connections with colleagues in the field.
• The YouthLearn Electronic Newsletter publishes news and information on best practices, project ideas, grant opportunities, and more.
• Other services, such as technical assistance and field-based initiatives, are already available or under development. Contact us for more information. info@youthlearn.org


5. Who should get involved?

Our work can support and inform both direct-service staff and leaders of youth-serving organizations, as well as traditional K-12 educators, policymakers, funders, and other interested adults and youth. Currently, more than 1,500 youth development professionals exchange ideas and share resources as members of the YouthLearn online community.

6. Does YouthLearn work with schools as well?

Our tools and resources for creating exciting learning environments can work in school as well as after school. See our ideas on ways to incorporate inquiry-based projects and technology in the classroom. And contact us with any questions or requests: info@youthlearn.org .

7. How can I contact Youthlearn if I want to:

a. Explore training? Please send us email at info@youthlearn.org or call 800.449.5525.
b. Order materials? Go to www.youthlearn.org/guide if you wish to order The YouthLearn Guide, or contact us at info@youthlearn.org or 800.449.5525.
c. Sign up for the discussion list? Go to www.youthlearn.org/join/subscribe.html.

8. Where can I find out more about:

a. doing project-based learning? See this introduction to inquiry-based learning and additional resources. Also, take a look at this information about collaborative learning and additional resources.
b. integrating technology into programs for youth? Here's an overview of our approach for incorporating technology
and some pointers for teaching with technology.
plus additional resources. Check out these activities and other resources for teaching multimedia.

9. How can I support YouthLearn?

YouthLearn can only continue to offer our services and develop new tools and resources through grants and contracts for service delivery. If you're interested in partnering with YouthLearn, please contact us at info@youthlearn.org or 800.449.5525