Uploaded September 2022 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
We are applying for an ARPA grant of $4M to kick rapid learning materials on Open Source Ecology into high gear, so we can train hundreds of entrepreneurial builders in the near-term. ded2.mo.gov/media/pdf/workforce-training-grant-program-guidelines
Jon is leading this.
I would focus this on 'Rapid Learning Infrastructures' consisting both of digital and physical assets that enable the rapid knowledge transfer. This is highly consistent with the 'recruitment and training' focus of the grant. This is what I've been experimenting with for the last decade, so i could probably write another PhD thesis on this. I am now convinced that rapid learning learning of integrated skill sets is possible to a transformative extent, transitioning society from silos and disintegrated design to systems design that meets peoples' needs in a much deeper way. From job satisfaction to making a better world. But structurally - the system is designed to produce disintegrated results, leading to disintegrated humans. Integrated experiential learning can address this gap, and can be injected into all institutions of learning.
But it is not going to be easy: it requires rethinking the current infrastructure to one that provides applied, relevant, integrated skill sets - which requires much more of the student. Information technology can help. OSE can integrate the physical plant with augmented and virtual reality systems, apps, and software - that can now lead a student to learn skills 10x faster than in a traditional setting. And this is not just talk- this is ecactly what we're doing with the Seed Eco-Home apprenticeship. Our model currently can get graduates at top 2% of the industry pay - after as little as a 6 month apprenticeship! The challenge is:
develop curriculum - high quality, integrated curriculum based around build skills first, and second design skills, culminating with applying design skills with entrepreneurship to create a movement where any graduate coming out of the extended program (1 year build training, 1 year design training, 1 year enterprise) can contribute meaningfully to open source product development. This is not about working for somebody - it's about learning to design and build the world around us.
integrate with a facility that is separated into a number of bays focusing on individual learning topics (learn everything about plumbing, electrical, carpentry, foundations, roofing, construction tools, fasteners, automation, machines, PV system, aquaponics, etc). These are learning areas in real space with partially prepared modules and models where people can rapidly experiment, build things like Legos, collect performance data, document with video for both testing, learning, recruiting, and teaching purposes.
Create supporting augemented reality/quality control/inventory apps, design software for design and calculations, online design tools based on FreeCAD or other open software, other training software including the massive multiplayer game for build collaboration - gamification of the learning. Digitize everything, including a refined design of the production workshop, so this can be replicated widely around the world. The MMOG videogame and online house design tool with FreeCAD or SweetHome3D are excellent recruiting tools in themselves.
Teach collaborative literacy - all the above is for naught if we don't include a system for collaboration for continuous improvement that prevents the current pathetic state of each business reinventing the wheel trying to develop their own products. Create a common core and collaboration tools, part libraries, and repositories, online design tools, etc. This means how do we collaborate with a large team spread around the world - documenting all the assets in an organized way. It takes a significant mind shift for people to think this way - and our program will teach this. Final projects (after year 1) involve collaborative authoring of curriculum, based on existing curriculum from startup.
I would do something like 10% physical plant (populating the rapid learning bays with equipment, data acquisition tools, IT and video tools), and 90% curriculum/digital infrastructure in the 1-4 above. Focus of funding is once again - rapid learning and collaboration tools.
How do we meet training goals? We start our Apprenticeship, which already has thousands of hours of development work that went into it. This will go no matter what at whatever level we have. We add the training infrastructure as funds allow - whether bootstrapped or this grant. I'm looking at minimum $1M net next year from 50 houses built.
-----------------
What you see here at Open Source Ecology is an ambitious open source project for the common good. Join our development team:
Take a minute to subscribe to our email newsletter (updates, workshops, etc): bit.ly/1LtcM44
We are applying for an ARPA grant of $4M to kick rapid learning materials on Open Source Ecology into high gear, so we can train hundreds of entrepreneurial builders in the near-term. ded2.mo.gov/media/pdf/workforce-training-grant-program-guidelines
Jon is leading this.
I would focus this on 'Rapid Learning Infrastructures' consisting both of digital and physical assets that enable the rapid knowledge transfer. This is highly consistent with the 'recruitment and training' focus of the grant. This is what I've been experimenting with for the last decade, so i could probably write another PhD thesis on this. I am now convinced that rapid learning learning of integrated skill sets is possible to a transformative extent, transitioning society from silos and disintegrated design to systems design that meets peoples' needs in a much deeper way. From job satisfaction to making a better world. But structurally - the system is designed to produce disintegrated results, leading to disintegrated humans. Integrated experiential learning can address this gap, and can be injected into all institutions of learning.
But it is not going to be easy: it requires rethinking the current infrastructure to one that provides applied, relevant, integrated skill sets - which requires much more of the student. Information technology can help. OSE can integrate the physical plant with augmented and virtual reality systems, apps, and software - that can now lead a student to learn skills 10x faster than in a traditional setting. And this is not just talk- this is ecactly what we're doing with the Seed Eco-Home apprenticeship. Our model currently can get graduates at top 2% of the industry pay - after as little as a 6 month apprenticeship! The challenge is:
develop curriculum - high quality, integrated curriculum based around build skills first, and second design skills, culminating with applying design skills with entrepreneurship to create a movement where any graduate coming out of the extended program (1 year build training, 1 year design training, 1 year enterprise) can contribute meaningfully to open source product development. This is not about working for somebody - it's about learning to design and build the world around us.
integrate with a facility that is separated into a number of bays focusing on individual learning topics (learn everything about plumbing, electrical, carpentry, foundations, roofing, construction tools, fasteners, automation, machines, PV system, aquaponics, etc). These are learning areas in real space with partially prepared modules and models where people can rapidly experiment, build things like Legos, collect performance data, document with video for both testing, learning, recruiting, and teaching purposes.
Create supporting augemented reality/quality control/inventory apps, design software for design and calculations, online design tools based on FreeCAD or other open software, other training software including the massive multiplayer game for build collaboration - gamification of the learning. Digitize everything, including a refined design of the production workshop, so this can be replicated widely around the world. The MMOG videogame and online house design tool with FreeCAD or SweetHome3D are excellent recruiting tools in themselves.
Teach collaborative literacy - all the above is for naught if we don't include a system for collaboration for continuous improvement that prevents the current pathetic state of each business reinventing the wheel trying to develop their own products. Create a common core and collaboration tools, part libraries, and repositories, online design tools, etc. This means how do we collaborate with a large team spread around the world - documenting all the assets in an organized way. It takes a significant mind shift for people to think this way - and our program will teach this. Final projects (after year 1) involve collaborative authoring of curriculum, based on existing curriculum from startup.
I would do something like 10% physical plant (populating the rapid learning bays with equipment, data acquisition tools, IT and video tools), and 90% curriculum/digital infrastructure in the 1-4 above. Focus of funding is once again - rapid learning and collaboration tools.
How do we meet training goals? We start our Apprenticeship, which already has thousands of hours of development work that went into it. This will go no matter what at whatever level we have. We add the training infrastructure as funds allow - whether bootstrapped or this grant. I'm looking at minimum $1M net next year from 50 houses built.
-----------------
What you see here at Open Source Ecology is an ambitious open source project for the common good. Join our development team:
Take a minute to subscribe to our email newsletter (updates, workshops, etc): bit.ly/1LtcM44
