Photography is a really wonderful tool for teaching art, science, and humanities.
"How do writers create or defy popular images of settings? What is ethnography, and how can it be used to reveal the meanings of places? In this lesson, students consider the power of place in their own lives, and then execute an ethnographic research project that dispels clichéd notions about where they live."
Click here for the curriculum
and
Click here for a similar curriculum over at the California Council for the Humanities.
Both are great.
Showing posts with label digital divide. Show all posts
Showing posts with label digital divide. Show all posts
Wednesday
Sunday
It's Baaaaaack...
About a year and a half ago, I pitched a project that would have youth creating their own original content for digital media distribution. Doesn't sound so innovative at first - after all, most youth media programs have youtube channels.
But what I was hoping to do was to help bridge the digital divide with a completely different technology - a little internet box that families can purchase for under $200. Eventually I dropped the idea because it looked like the iPod touch might be taking over.
But Chumby, the little internet box that could, is back with a new model and an even lower price. Take a look - might be a nice way for your program to combine user interface/design concepts with digital storytelling and 21st century distribution models.
But what I was hoping to do was to help bridge the digital divide with a completely different technology - a little internet box that families can purchase for under $200. Eventually I dropped the idea because it looked like the iPod touch might be taking over.
But Chumby, the little internet box that could, is back with a new model and an even lower price. Take a look - might be a nice way for your program to combine user interface/design concepts with digital storytelling and 21st century distribution models.
Monday
Movies for Young Urban Filmmakers
The first step to becoming a filmmaker is to watch great works then analyze and critique them. I have found these films to be especially effective when teaching storytelling, composition, and editing. Some of these films are Oscar winners, some are not. Many of them are urban cult classics. You can even ask your students to let you know which music videos have been influenced by these works.
Blood In, Blood Out - Three brothers, their choices, the consequences. (also called Bound by Blood)
City of God - Gangs in Brazil. The documentary about Favelas that's on the US dvd is also very educational. A nice contrast is to show this film with Black Orpheus.
The Conversation - A sound tech regrets the job he's done. Coppola directs.
Cooley High/Boyz in the Hood - An African-American High School story. Cooley High is set in Chicago in the 1970's and written by the same guy who co-created Good Times. Boyz in the Hood is essentially a remake/modernized version set in LA in the 80's.
Made in America: Crips & Bloods - This documentary by Stacey Peralta presents valuable perspective and also shows some great CG (After Effects, Motion, etc.) technique.
Do the Right Thing - Great example of issue filmmaking and also had a huge influence on music videos. Shows a wide range of camera angles and moves.
Klute - 1972 Oscar winner about prostitution. Deep. Shows how the camera can be used effectively when NOT moving.
Mi Familia - LA's Chicano history told in a classic Hollywood structure.
Requiem for a Dream/Trainspotting/Gridlock'd - Movies about drug addicts. Three very different takes. A good question to ask is which one is the most realiztic and why?
Scarface - If you have to ask, you'll never know.
To Be and To Have - A beautiful documentary about a group of schoolchildren and their teacher in rural France. In filmmaking, many times simple is better.
Visions of Light - Documentary about the job of the Cinematographer/Director of Photography. Dials in detail that students didn't realize was there.
The Warriors - Cult classic. Everything old is new again.
Be sure to screen all of these films in advance, many of them contain adult language or themes that may not be appropriate to your school/program. However, you can also show a less offensive scene or portion of the film for discussion.
Blood In, Blood Out - Three brothers, their choices, the consequences. (also called Bound by Blood)
City of God - Gangs in Brazil. The documentary about Favelas that's on the US dvd is also very educational. A nice contrast is to show this film with Black Orpheus.
The Conversation - A sound tech regrets the job he's done. Coppola directs.
Cooley High/Boyz in the Hood - An African-American High School story. Cooley High is set in Chicago in the 1970's and written by the same guy who co-created Good Times. Boyz in the Hood is essentially a remake/modernized version set in LA in the 80's.
Made in America: Crips & Bloods - This documentary by Stacey Peralta presents valuable perspective and also shows some great CG (After Effects, Motion, etc.) technique.
Do the Right Thing - Great example of issue filmmaking and also had a huge influence on music videos. Shows a wide range of camera angles and moves.
Klute - 1972 Oscar winner about prostitution. Deep. Shows how the camera can be used effectively when NOT moving.
Mi Familia - LA's Chicano history told in a classic Hollywood structure.
Requiem for a Dream/Trainspotting/Gridlock'd - Movies about drug addicts. Three very different takes. A good question to ask is which one is the most realiztic and why?
Scarface - If you have to ask, you'll never know.
To Be and To Have - A beautiful documentary about a group of schoolchildren and their teacher in rural France. In filmmaking, many times simple is better.
Visions of Light - Documentary about the job of the Cinematographer/Director of Photography. Dials in detail that students didn't realize was there.
The Warriors - Cult classic. Everything old is new again.
Be sure to screen all of these films in advance, many of them contain adult language or themes that may not be appropriate to your school/program. However, you can also show a less offensive scene or portion of the film for discussion.
Wednesday
Video Geotagging
I've been doing research for an idea/project I'm putting together and thought I'd share a couple of links. This project won't happen until the fall, so the technology is sure to change somewhat between now and then. This makes for interesting research. Usually I'm looking for the current/future trends, but this time I'm trying to look at what's been done in 'recent' history.
The topic is basically mapping - how are people using mapping to present photos and video? (The deeper question becomes, of course, why would you? I should have more answers once my research is done.) There are some fascinating mashups, some helpful technologies and also some things that have not happened yet, but should. Here's just a few links:
A nice list of geotagging definitions and some lesson plans and other resources to get you started is here.
Flickr shows up on google maps, but Panoramio is another company doing more landscape and beauty shots.
I love this project, which sought funding at donorschoose.org last year. It won't be completed until May.
I went to a presentation earlier this week by FoundSF.org which is using MediaWiki to collect resources and design it's site. Should be even more and more exciting stuff over the next few months. It also looks like an excellent site for a class/after school program to use for research and then add their own contributions. And MediaWiki is an EXCELLENT tool with lots of potential for those willing to do their open source homework.
Actually, I've been quite surprised to see all that Google* is doing and others (like Wikipedia, sadly) are not. A lot of the information I'm finding is from 2008 all the way back to 2006. I wonder why these technologies aren't more widely used? Maybe it's just too much time and research!
* Google geotagged YouTube in 2007, Flickr added video geotagging in 2008, for example.
The topic is basically mapping - how are people using mapping to present photos and video? (The deeper question becomes, of course, why would you? I should have more answers once my research is done.) There are some fascinating mashups, some helpful technologies and also some things that have not happened yet, but should. Here's just a few links:
A nice list of geotagging definitions and some lesson plans and other resources to get you started is here.
Flickr shows up on google maps, but Panoramio is another company doing more landscape and beauty shots.
I love this project, which sought funding at donorschoose.org last year. It won't be completed until May.
I went to a presentation earlier this week by FoundSF.org which is using MediaWiki to collect resources and design it's site. Should be even more and more exciting stuff over the next few months. It also looks like an excellent site for a class/after school program to use for research and then add their own contributions. And MediaWiki is an EXCELLENT tool with lots of potential for those willing to do their open source homework.
Actually, I've been quite surprised to see all that Google* is doing and others (like Wikipedia, sadly) are not. A lot of the information I'm finding is from 2008 all the way back to 2006. I wonder why these technologies aren't more widely used? Maybe it's just too much time and research!
* Google geotagged YouTube in 2007, Flickr added video geotagging in 2008, for example.
Thursday
Taking the Bridge to the Next Level
I've been swamped lately, working on a contract to help design a statewide contest for young filmmakers. It's been wonderful work - merging many of my interests (filmmaking/video, youth/education, health education, research, and more). Most of all, I have been working to address digital divide issues that are specific to video and youth I've worked with in the past.
For example, many of my students don't check their email. They prefer to keep in constant contact via myspace - and see their yahoo account as just something you sign up for so that you can get a myspace page. So we're building an rss feed (via twitter) into the contest page. It will allow us to post everything that goes into email blasts onto the site - in an abbreviated form.
Another example is the submission requirements and rules. I've been working on that a lot - researching what technologies *most* youth are using now. (This is in comparison to what technology the experts and magazines recommend, but kids can't always afford.) So I'm making room for kids who might want to shoot a film on a cell phone and edit online because they don't have a computer at home.
Today I found a really helpful list that gives a wonderful 'big picture' view of this sort of troubleshooting. It applies directly to my current project, but also applies to many many more.
Blogger the explicit posted Simple questions to ask when planning a contribution-based project back in January and then added an Installment #2. He also writes about setting expectations for contribution-based projects and then revises his thoughts. All of the links contain wonderful food for thought - for projects big and small. It's kind of cool how much consultants and teachers have in common :)
For example, many of my students don't check their email. They prefer to keep in constant contact via myspace - and see their yahoo account as just something you sign up for so that you can get a myspace page. So we're building an rss feed (via twitter) into the contest page. It will allow us to post everything that goes into email blasts onto the site - in an abbreviated form.
Another example is the submission requirements and rules. I've been working on that a lot - researching what technologies *most* youth are using now. (This is in comparison to what technology the experts and magazines recommend, but kids can't always afford.) So I'm making room for kids who might want to shoot a film on a cell phone and edit online because they don't have a computer at home.
Today I found a really helpful list that gives a wonderful 'big picture' view of this sort of troubleshooting. It applies directly to my current project, but also applies to many many more.
Blogger the explicit posted Simple questions to ask when planning a contribution-based project back in January and then added an Installment #2. He also writes about setting expectations for contribution-based projects and then revises his thoughts. All of the links contain wonderful food for thought - for projects big and small. It's kind of cool how much consultants and teachers have in common :)
Tuesday
Social Networking in the Classroom?
For most Teachers/Schools, Social Networking sites like Facebook, Myspace, YouTube and Imeem are not allowed. But that may change soon. Recent research has been showing both the benefits of online connections and which fears have been misdirected. (Turns out bullying may be a much bigger problem than solicitation of minors.)
No matter whether I'm teaching computer programming or digital editing, I try to find a way to work in a conversation or two about how the youth/students are using social networking - and strategies for using it responsibly. Personally, I think it should be a standard part of every school's curriculum. Here's a great guide from the FTC that can be easily adapted for the classroom: Social Networking Sites: A Parent’s Guide
Exploring these issues can also make an excellent video or multimedia project.
No matter whether I'm teaching computer programming or digital editing, I try to find a way to work in a conversation or two about how the youth/students are using social networking - and strategies for using it responsibly. Personally, I think it should be a standard part of every school's curriculum. Here's a great guide from the FTC that can be easily adapted for the classroom: Social Networking Sites: A Parent’s Guide
Exploring these issues can also make an excellent video or multimedia project.
Thursday
It's Not Just About the Software
Adobe has an excellent suite of resources for iTeachers. Not only is there a wonderful gallery of work, but white papers, curriculum, and direct links to an employee volunteer program and software donation and training for educators and non-profits. Phew! Definitely worth checnking out.
Adobe - Adobe Youth Voices Gallery - Resources: "Adobe and its founding Adobe Youth Voices partners — Educational Video Center, Listen Up!, What Kids Can Do, Arts Engine, and iEARN — offer a variety of free and low-cost resources to help you integrate youth media into your classroom or out-of-classroom programs."
Adobe - Adobe Youth Voices Gallery - Resources: "Adobe and its founding Adobe Youth Voices partners — Educational Video Center, Listen Up!, What Kids Can Do, Arts Engine, and iEARN — offer a variety of free and low-cost resources to help you integrate youth media into your classroom or out-of-classroom programs."
Technology and Music
From the Desk of David Pogue - So Many iPhone Apps, So Little Time - NYTimes.com: "Once you install and open this program, your iPhone's screen displays four colored circles of different sizes. These are the 'holes' that you cover with your fingers, as you would the holes on a flute. Then you blow into the microphone hole at the bottom of the iPhone, and presto: the haunting, expressive, beautiful sound of a wind instrument comes from the iPhone speaker."
A surprising example of iPhone as musical instrument.
A surprising example of iPhone as musical instrument.
Tuesday
The Digital Future Looks Bright
LAFD's One-Man Geek Squad Brings Web 2.0 to Firefighting: "Firefighters are known for their bravery (and their popularity with the ladies). But geek cred? Not so much. Brian Humphrey is trying to change that. From a decommissioned bomb shelter four stories beneath Los Angeles City Hall, this 23-year veteran is single-handedly hauling the city's fire department into the Web 2.0 era. He has about 80 projects in the works—involving everything from Twitter to BlogTalkRadio—that will not only help broadcast urgent information to the public but also gather crucial intel to assist first responders on the ground."
Wednesday
When You Have Some Time...
I know it's hard to make time as a teacher to do more than just plan and teach. But if you have a chance, sneak on over to this very helpful site. Here's what Techlearning has to say about it:
Storytelling 2.0 "It turns out a very busy person named Alan Levine created an online resource for a series of workshops that lists (at the time of this writing) 57 different Web 2.0 tools that can be used for digital storytelling. That in itself isn't unusual, of course, but what he did that was different was he took the time to retell the same story with each tool!
The site is at http://cogdogroo.wikispaces.com/StoryTools, and is wonderfully comprehensive. In addition to his own oft-retold story, almost all of the titles also include examples of stories told by others. He also has a shorter list at the end of tools that he's tried that weren't successful for one reason or another, so you can see what sites to avoid (at least for now). Be sure to budget a lot of time for exploring!"
Storytelling 2.0 "It turns out a very busy person named Alan Levine created an online resource for a series of workshops that lists (at the time of this writing) 57 different Web 2.0 tools that can be used for digital storytelling. That in itself isn't unusual, of course, but what he did that was different was he took the time to retell the same story with each tool!
The site is at http://cogdogroo.wikispaces.com/StoryTools, and is wonderfully comprehensive. In addition to his own oft-retold story, almost all of the titles also include examples of stories told by others. He also has a shorter list at the end of tools that he's tried that weren't successful for one reason or another, so you can see what sites to avoid (at least for now). Be sure to budget a lot of time for exploring!"
Sunday
Who's On Your Blacklist?
Submit a video of yourself, a relative, a friend, a co-worker, a neighbor, or anyone who has a story to tell about his or her personal experience of black life in America today.
Just like the subjects of the upcoming HBO documentary THE BLACK LIST: VOLUME ONE, the subjects of the winning videos will have their portraits taken by famed photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders in New York (transportation provided) and be interviewed by acclaimed journalist Elvis Mitchell. Select submissions may be showcased on various HBO platforms in 2009.
Just like the subjects of the upcoming HBO documentary THE BLACK LIST: VOLUME ONE, the subjects of the winning videos will have their portraits taken by famed photographer Timothy Greenfield-Sanders in New York (transportation provided) and be interviewed by acclaimed journalist Elvis Mitchell. Select submissions may be showcased on various HBO platforms in 2009.
Thursday
Just One Way Folks are Bridging the Digital
Installfest is a volunteer run effor that took place at this year's LinuxWorld Conference
"The idea of Installfest is to take advantage of the low overhead of open-source tools and operating systems, such as the Linux-based Ubuntu, so that computers that would otherwise have been discarded can be put to use for educational institutions and other groups, including low-income individuals and non-profits. Organizers and volunteers installed open-source solutions, such as Firefox, Open Office, and Ubuntu, on recycled computers donated by the ACCRC, which will then be given out to participating schools." Read More Here
"The idea of Installfest is to take advantage of the low overhead of open-source tools and operating systems, such as the Linux-based Ubuntu, so that computers that would otherwise have been discarded can be put to use for educational institutions and other groups, including low-income individuals and non-profits. Organizers and volunteers installed open-source solutions, such as Firefox, Open Office, and Ubuntu, on recycled computers donated by the ACCRC, which will then be given out to participating schools." Read More Here
Cool Stuff over at Stories for Change
Help Us Celebrate Youth Voices!:
"In honor of International Youth Day, we are excited to announce our online campaign to feature digital stories made by youth from around the world that are working to make the world a better place. Starting August 12th through September 2nd, we will be displaying a rotating assortment of stories on the homepage as well as encouraging dialogue on strategies for doing digital storytelling projects with youth.
We also encourage youth members and those working with youth to consider uploading their own stories (visit: http://storiesforchange.net/node/add/story) on this theme and including the “youth” tag so they can be added to our growing collection.
This celebration is a part of Stories for Change’s initiative of sharing stories on particular themes, to coincide with various international days and celebrations. The goal of this initiative is to highlight both the diversity of voices on the site and the common social justice threads going on in the world of digital storytelling today.
Through the initiative, are working to connect with other organization's doing work on specific social justice issues and encourage them to become involved in the Stories for Change community. For more information, please email: laura@storycenter.org.
All the best,
The Stories for Change Team"
"In honor of International Youth Day, we are excited to announce our online campaign to feature digital stories made by youth from around the world that are working to make the world a better place. Starting August 12th through September 2nd, we will be displaying a rotating assortment of stories on the homepage as well as encouraging dialogue on strategies for doing digital storytelling projects with youth.
We also encourage youth members and those working with youth to consider uploading their own stories (visit: http://storiesforchange.net/node/add/story) on this theme and including the “youth” tag so they can be added to our growing collection.
This celebration is a part of Stories for Change’s initiative of sharing stories on particular themes, to coincide with various international days and celebrations. The goal of this initiative is to highlight both the diversity of voices on the site and the common social justice threads going on in the world of digital storytelling today.
Through the initiative, are working to connect with other organization's doing work on specific social justice issues and encourage them to become involved in the Stories for Change community. For more information, please email: laura@storycenter.org.
All the best,
The Stories for Change Team"
Saturday
Share Video over the Internet?
I'm continually amazed by how international local issues have gotten. Here's an article from an Indian newspaper explaining some of the perspectives and issues important to FCC's recent decision on Comcast.
Techtree.com : Back Off the Internet -- FCC to Comcast
Net neutrality and bandwidth are ESSENTIAL to any discussion about digital divide. If you don't know, now you know...
Techtree.com : Back Off the Internet -- FCC to Comcast
Net neutrality and bandwidth are ESSENTIAL to any discussion about digital divide. If you don't know, now you know...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)