News

Check it out at http://moodle.excotc.org/

Think about adding an e-learning component to your class!

The Experimental College Club (EXCO) at the University of Minnesota is working to build a community-led collaboration in Cedar Riverside to create free quality classes that build community capacity, interconnection, and respond to community needs and desires. Modeled off our EXCO Academia Comunitaria, we see this as a way of connecting education to people’s daily lives and the changes they would like to see, valuing the knowledge of all people, and strengthening relationships between individuals who live, work, and go to school in Cedar Riverside. EXCO is looking for people interested in growing and shaping this endeavor, including but not limited to students, staff, and University organizations. A democratic and grassroots organization made up of a variety of perspectives, EXCO is dedicated to transforming education and creating bottom-up change on the principle that everyone can teach or take classes and all classes are free.

We Need:

You – to participate in the growth and development of EXCO by helping us organize and network and by providing input on our actions and operation. We will be hosting a group conversation in late January which we invite you to attend, or better get in touch with us now!

EXCO has made available the creation of community workshops. Workshops are akin to classes, but are usually one-time events that people can RSVP to. Workshops must be free, open, and educational in nature -- and anyone can create them. Check it out and be the first to create one! http://www.excotc.org/workshops

7/23/09  
At the BBQ, Miriam kicked of her fund raising campaign and guests donated an awesome $110.25! Miriam will be moving to Illinois in September and has been with EXCO from its inception. She'll be sad to leave and wants to leave EXCO by calling for more support from EXCO participants!                                                                                                                                            
How many classes have YOU taken? Have YOU donated to EXCO?
                                                                                                                                    

Come one, come all!

Wednesday, April 15th from 6:30-8:30 is EXCO's fabulous April EXCO Night!

Featuring a performance by EXCO's very own Batucada do Norte drumming class! We are looking for more performances, so if you or your class have something they want to share, let us know!

ALSO, there will be a bake-off and a hot-dish cook-off, bring something to enter! (judged by real Minnesotans). There will be some dinner food provided as well by EXCO!

All EXCO participants will receive certificates of completion!

And, get your photo taken with the giant EXCO letters!

Come whenever and for however long you can, but we can't promise the food will last forever!

The event is at Macalester College, Kagin Hill Ballroom. Macalester is located at 1600 Grand Ave. in St. Paul. Kagin is accessible from Summit, Snelling, or Grand Avenues. On this Campus Map - http://www.macalester.edu/about/mapbynumber.html - it is building number 42. Macalester is accessible by bus via the 84 and 63 bus lines, and is also within a mile walk/bike of the 21, 16, and 70 bus lines.

SEE ATTACHMENT FOR EXCO NIGHT POSTER! SPREAD FAR AND WIDE!

Here is the story of one teacher's experience teaching Basic Bicycle Maintencence with EXCO.

Bicycle classes were among the very first classes offered through EXCO and they have also been among the most popular classes offered through EXCO. Jason Tanzman, bike mechanic and organizer at Sibley Bike Depot, talked about his experience teaching EXCO classes.

November EXCO Night: The Giving Tree
Thursday, November 20th from 6-8PM – Smail Gallery, Olin Rice Hall, Macalester College
This month EXCO will be hosting our first ever skill auction! Here’s how it works:
1. You bring any “skill” or gift you have to share. “Skill” is very open-ended and could range from a late night sketch, to a home-cooked meal, to an old sweater just lying around. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination and what you think someone else would want to bid on.

Want to suggest classes...check out our forum discussion: http://www.excotc.org/node/203

We have a TON of great courses for Fall--Most start the week of September 22 so REGISTER TODAY!

Here are a few of the many classes starting soon:
- Shape Note Singing and Sacred Harp
-Web Technologies for Activism
- The Role of Business and Society
-Citizen Journalism
-Becoming More Authentic: The Positive Side of Existentialism
-Nonviolent conflict management/resolution
-New Ways of Loving: How Authenticity Transforms Relationships