How to Really Build a Community of Practice

I found this article deeply interesting and compelling, and not just because I really enjoy working with the Arduino.

For me, this article was really about how to organically build a community of practice.

How Arduino Is Becoming The World's Social Network For Hackers And Makers ⚙ Co.Labs ⚙ code + community:

'via Blog this'

Hope Springs?

Call me crazy, but this article from MindShift got me feeling hopeful about what could be possible.
Could teachers actually matter?
What do you think?

Project Learning described by a high school senior

This interesting blog post, "Why Learning Should be Messy," from MindShift, is an overview of a new book by a high school senior, discusses this student's views on project-based learning.

Here is my favorite quote:

The role of the teacher in project-based learning as Laufenberg likes to say is an “architect of opportunity. Through a scaffolding strategy, they help us make sense of what we have learned. Still, teachers must understand that learning is uncomfortable, messy, and complicated.” Get over compliance and control!

Upside Down Academy

When Students Do The Teaching | Edutopia
What I am most interested in here is how the teachers and students collaborated.

I am not that excited about the Kahn Academy connection.