The Dynamo Educational Model for Students
Our goal is to facilitate 21st century skills growth through real world application.
Professional experienced facilitated by Dynamo Studios and executed by Dynamo Studios and local stake holders, partners, and businesses.
Classroom Experiences
Extracurricular Programming
Field Experiences
Accessibility to Creative Industry Tech. Resources
A Brief Description -
Our programs are geared towards workforce development in the music industry and digital media world by providing skills development programming to students as part of their free and public education. Following in school skills development programming we will also create professional opportunities in the community and abroad for students to apply these skills in professional settings with real world pros. Additionally, professionals participating in these programs will reap the benefits of the media content created by students. (This sounds crazy, but the kids are creating content that is in fact THAT GOOD. A couple students just shot the most recent music video for Switchfoot “Live in Atlanta”) This reciprocal relationship will result in a sustainable program model benefiting students as they develop the skills needed to enter the workforce and it will benefit creatives simultaneously.
An Extended Description -
Dynamo Studios programming allows for substantial growth in students while also supporting the music and production economies. What we do is teach students a skillset in the creative industries, then we provide them an opportunity to apply those skills in a school or extracurricular setting and most impressively, a professional setting in a real studio/set with REAL artists and creative industry professionals. What's so exciting about this form of education is that it also lends itself to substantial student growth in line with Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs and 21st Century Skills development (workforce development). Self Actualization is the highest level of human development recognized by psychologists specializing in adolescent cognitive development. Simply put, it is the realization and reach of one’s fullest potential through skills development coupled with professional experience. Putting kids into settings with professionals allows for them to grow at an unprecedented rate and reach their fullest potential. The skills we are teaching them also allow for a consistent and broad offering of professional opportunities. Obviously this is a program based around workforce development, so through these programs students will be setup for career and job opportunities, scholarships, furthered post secondary education, and the opportunity to enter directly into the industry at almost any level. What's even greater about this sort of program is that it allows for the support of students while simultaneously supporting local, regional, and nation artists/creatives. For example, when a vocalist needs someone to record their music, students also need vocalists to record. How else would they learn how to properly record and artist? This mutual exchange of services and skills allows for artists to walk away with a polished marketable project. Thus bridging the gap between the professional realm and the educational realm.
Within the inner city, students are far less likely to succeed let along graduate. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a relatively simple model to follow (bear in mind that the end goal is reaching one's fullest potential through real world application and skills development and experience). The first level is basic human needs (food, water, shelter). Next is safety. Both of those are met by simply attending school. The next levels are much more difficult. Belonging and Self Esteem (I matter, my work matters, and I have the ability to make something that matters or lead the team). Classical arts programs achieve this on a small scale, but what’s interesting about the modern music industry and modern creative industries is that students achieve all of this naturally by simply participating in these industries. On top of that (and maybe even more importantly) they develop a professional skill set by simply growing and learning within the music industry and digital media industries. As a label signed professional musician I saw this happen first hand for myself and countless other creators. I had to learn accounting because I was my own accountant. I had to learn business and brand development when developing the business model and brand for acts I played for. I had to lead my team in recording sessions. By participating in this sort of programming and us making it accessible to them as part of their free and public education, students are being equipped with not only the professional skills needed to enter into the music production and digital media industries, but also the opportunities to capitalize on those skills, build a professional resume, and thus enter into the industry with a literal bang.
But most importantly, music is a universal language that breaks down economic, racial, and cultural barriers.
It doesn't matter who you are, everyone likes music and building off that common ground sets the stage for sustainable, tangible, long term growth for EVERYONE involved.
Our goal is for this tech to act as a resource that allows for students to effectively reach Self-Actualization. Students will achieve this growth through educational opportunities that allow for 21st Century Skills growth and professional opportunities that allow for 21st Century Skills mastery within the local community and abroad.
Additionally, the 21st Century Skills mastered by students will carry over into their personal lives, academic lives, and professional lives (regardless of their future profession). The skills grown and mastered through the professional creative realm are an essential component of any successful person’s life, which is why students must have these opportunities.
WHAT IS SELF-ACTUALIZATION AND WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Our end goal is to help students reach Self Actualization, and the creative industry just so happens to be a perfect catalyst to achieve just that.
Definition: The realization or fulfillment of one's talents and potentialities, especially considered as a drive or need present in everyone.
WHY SHOULD STUDENTS REACH SELF-ACTUALIZATION?
Self-Actualized people have peak experiences
They possess self-acceptance and a democratic world view
They are realistic and pragmatic
They are motivated by a strong sense of personal ethics and responsibility
The Self-Actualized person is autonomous
Self-Actualized people are spontaneous and innovative
They fully enjoy the journey, not just the destination
WE HELP STUDENTS ACHIEVE SELF-ACTUALIZATION THROUGH 21ST CENTURY SKILL BUILDING AND PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Entrepreneurial, Economic, and Business Literacy
Civic Literacy
Creativity and Innovation
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Communication
Collaboration
Global Awareness
Media Literacy
ICT (Technological) Literacy
Flexibility & Adaptability
Initiative & Self Direction
Social & Cross Cultural Skills
Productivity & Accountability
Leadership & Responsibility