An Education & Outreach Project of Infinite Spectrum Productions

Archive for the ‘Civic Engagement’ Category

Edutopia: Do BOYD Programs Encourage Bullying?

In theory, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) programs in schools are a great idea; students can use their own tablets, laptops and smartphones in the classroom, and can take advantage of a wider range of apps and programs than they might be able to normally access in school. There is a case to be made that doing so can make schools more cutting edge and capable of engaging students through methods that they’re comfortable with. However, there’s also a risk that BYOD could lead to bullying and inequality within schools. How, then, can BYOD be successful without causing these kinds of problems?

The growing popularity of BYOD is a trend that has appeared in the workplace and schools over the past few years; partly, this has been in response to gaps between the technology found at work and school, and what people are using in their spare time. By allowing people to bring in their own devices, employers and schools create a greater consistency between how employees and students normally access information and learn, and the standards set within the workplace and the classroom.

For schools, particularly those whose budgets are struggling to keep up with the pace of technology, BYOD offers cost savings. Implementing BYOD means that a school’s ICT system can be expanded to include more apps and more flexibility when it comes to using internal networks and developing class projects. Students familiar with using their own devices at home have the potential to relate much better to these rather than to the school’s technologies, and that familiarity can extend their skills for comprehension and the creative use of apps to literacy, numeracy and other school subjects.

To continue the article click here

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Civic Engagement, Educator Resources, Outside Source

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Laughing Moon Con

by KellyAnn Bonnell, MA

This past weekend we had the opportunity to attend Laughing Moon Con; and I have to say that we at Pop Goes the Classroom fell in love. The members of the League of Extraordinary Academics spend alot of time with PGTC promoting the importance of making learning relevant for our students. This is an easy task when the artifacts you are wanting to teach with are something the kids have experienced before, like movies or comic books. However, how do you make it relevant when your teaching with an RPG in a world of MMOs?

Todd Van Hooser answered that very question this weekend. Laughing Moon Con is a community event hosted by the school where Todd teaches. It was a one day event, with a low entry fee. He had vendors booths for game designers, comic artists, authors, crafters and other professionals. The high school clubs sold water and snacks and kids who have never experienced gaming before were exposed to a community of passionate informal learners.

I had the opportunity to see the event in action not only as an informal education advocate but also as a parent, as we took our 13 to the event with us. She had been saying she wanted to learn to play Munchkin after seeing it on an episode of Wil Wheaton’s Table Top . Of course, Steve Jackson Games Men In Black were out in full force with friend of PGTC Jesse Foster at the helm. She learned to play and has been talking about it ever since.

Kudos to Todd and his supporters for engaging the community in creating informal learning experiences for his students!

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Civic Engagement, Games, LXA Posts

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Using Technology to Teach About the Election | Edutopia

I will freely admit that I can be a bit of a political junkie from time to time. I listen to the news every morning, and I love talk radio in the evenings. I try to stay abreast of the goings on in the world and in our country. That is why I can see nothing more important than taking advantage of the election to engage our students in the political process and to help them begin forming their own viewpoints on real issues.

To read the rest of the article at Edutopa.org click here

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Civic Engagement, Educator Resources, Outside Source

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Part of a bigger picture: Infinite Spectrum Productions Corporate Responsibility Report 2011

The value that a company creates should be measured not just in terms of short-term profits or paychecks but also in terms of how it sustains the conditions that allow it to flourish over time. These corporate leaders deliver more than just financial returns; they also build enduring institutions.

Harvard Business Review, November 2011

When Jon and KellyAnn Bonnell founded Infinite Spectrum Productions during the worst financial environment since the Great Depression, they knew they were in it for the long the game. If they were going to create a sustainable convergence media company in Arizona, they knew they wouldn’t be just building their company. Arizona is a state without a real infrastructure to support convergence media. Noncompetitive industry incentives and an underpaid workforce are just a few challenges that cannot be addressed over night. They would have to actively participate in creating the kind of environment in which a company such as theirs could be sustainable. In 2011, their efforts took the form of advocacy, education and outreach, arts for social change and civic engagement

…we use the tools of the new millennium to market, promote, and produce the mythologies of a new generation.

Advocacy

Infinite Spectrum is committed to improving the economic climate in Arizona in a manner that will attract and retain the creative class. We work with local and government agencies to advocate for strong economic development policies for business in general and the entertainment in particular. We work with peers both inside and outside the entertainment industry to clearly communicate to policy makers that a strong state infrastructure with an emphasis professional wage employment opportunities and quality public education is vital to a thriving entertainment industry. We build relationships with elected officials and government employees, participate on policy development committees and in town halls, disseminate information from business, entertainment industry and arts advocacy groups.

Education and Outreach

Education

In 1963, John F. Kennedy introduced the nation to the idiom, “A rising tide lifts all boats”. We believe that the success of the entertainment industry in Arizona is dependent on the myriad of production companies, in Arizona, seeing themselves as part of the bigger picture. It is fostering this bigger picture where we believe our education efforts can be most effective.

Production AZ Daily

In June 2011, Infinite Spectrum Productions launched Production AZ Daily, a daily online newspaper dedicated to news and information of interest to those in the entertainment community in Arizona. The online newspaper now receives contributions from industry professionals throughout the Arizona as well as from LA.

I Gotta Do What?!!!!!!

It is to the benefit of the entire Arizona film industry to instill a strong business skill set and therefore help ensure investor and film maker satisfaction and growth. With this awareness in mind we launched our new “I Gotta Do What?!!!!” series for professional filmmakers.

In Q1 and Q2- 2011, ISP President Jon Bonnell presented the first workshop, I Gotta Do What?!!!!!! A Primer for Independent Film Distribution a total of six times at events throughout Arizona including events AZFAME, IFP Phoenix, and Phoenix Comic Con. In Q3, we published the ebook I Gotta Do What?!!!!!! A Primer for Independent Film Distribution by Jon Bonnell available on Kindle and Nook. In Q4, the ebook went international.

AZ Small Business

Arizona’s economy is dependent on the success of all small businesses. Which is why we share the knowledge we’ve gained as business owners with the broader small business community. In Q4 we were at AZPodCamp sharing insights about our experience in Education and Outreach and social media with entrepreneurs interested in learning how to benefit from the Gift Economy.

Outreach

We define outreach as those initiatives that increase audience and advocacy outside the entertainment industry. These efforts increase media literacy and foster positive relationships within the communities in which we live.

Pop Goes the Classroom

Our first full year of the Pop Goes the Classroom initiative was highly successful. Our blog became available for Kindle subscription in June. We also now have a relationship with USA Teacher Education providing blog posts for their teacher’s lounge. Often posts will run concurrently in both locations.

In July 2011, we had an opportunity to participate in the Comic Arts Conference that runs concurrently with San Diego Comic Con. It was an excellent opportunity to connect with academics in the field of film studies and popular culture.

In November 2011, our Pop Goes the Classroom initiative celebrated its first anniversary. Our biweekly blog , twitter #popchat and Facebook fan page provide formal and informal educators with the skills and knowledge to effectively integrate pop culture into the classroom in meaningful ways. This year we presented workshops at the Arizona Association for Gifted Education Conference, Phoenix Comic Con and the Arizona Afterschool Conference.

Arts for Social Change

We began our corporate social responsibility with Arts for Social Change and are very proud of the work we’ve done over the years. The Faythe Project, our teen dating violence initiative, launched in 2009, found a new home with Arizona based nonprofit Kaity’s Way (
http://www.kaitysway.org
). We are pleased to see the torch passed to an organization that has been instrumental in passing legislation that expands domestic violence protections to those in dating relationships.

Civic Engagement

Through our relationships with nonprofit incubator Serendipity Educational Resources, our founders and employees have the opportunity to positively impact the communities in which we live, learn and play. In 2011, Infinite Spectrum Productions donated its time and expertise to a variety of nonprofit organizations selected by our employees through board service and volunteer initiatives.

Building a sustainable entertainment industry in Arizona goes beyond producing the next film project. It is about taking the time to ensure that an infrastructure is put in place that will grow a vibrant creative community. Our commitment to corporate social responsibility is our commitment to building that infrastructure. As we move into 2012, we plan to continue to build strong relationships with industry peers and advocates as well as developing new audiences.

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Civic Engagement

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The Guardian: Alan Moore-meet the man behind the protest mask

Our recent post “Occupy Dystopia” follows the emergent informal learning experiences of an “A” track group of friends who begin to explore the Occupy movement though the filter of Classic literature, graphic novels and films that depict dystopian societies.

Here is an interview with “V” for Vendetta author Alan Moore regarding the use of the Guy Fawkes masks in protests. Consider it a supplement to the Occupy Dystopia piece.

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Civic Engagement, Educator Resources, Outside Source

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Occupy Dystopia

One of the great things about working with “A” track kids is their thirst for intellectual challenge. These are the kids that learn German as a hobby and read classic literature for pleasure. As an informal learning specialist this is where my work resides. The students identify what they are interested in and my job is to provide the resources to support their journey and act as a sounding board as they make the connections with their formal learning.

Take for instance a recent informal learning journey that began this summer. It started simply enough. One of the boys was volunteering at the Pop Culture Museum this summer because he’d been told he had to get a job or volunteer and the Pop Culture Museum was the least offensive of all the options. While he was there he was introduced the sequential art versions of V for Vendetta.

V for Vendetta is an amazing piece of sequential art written by Alan Moore and illustrated by David Lloyd that depicts a futuristic totalitarian government. Originally a ten-issue comic book series, it was adapted for the screen by Warner Brothers in 2006. The film is quite popular among civics educators. In fact, I’d venture most of the boys in this group had seen the movie at least once. However the great thing about sequential art is that it is not film. The engagement is active rather than passive. For the self driven learner this distinction is huge. Where the movie barely registered with this group of students, the sequential art spoke volumes to them.

As school resumed the boys the Occupy Together movement was taking shape. Protesters had begun Occupy Wall Street but there was little news coverage and no one was really talking about it. We talked to the kids about what the occupy movement was about as best we could and even offered to take them downtown for the first day of occupation in our community. They weren’t really interested.

One of the boys started reading George Orwell’s 1984. In a post on Facebook he made the comment that it was freaky. I recommended he read Huxley’s Brave New World when he finished because one informed perspective on the other. Besides, at some point in time they’ll have to compare and contrast the two stories in English. One of the other boys in the group offered lend him a copy. Halloween rolled around and the group decided to trick or treat. One of the boys went as Guy Fawkes. They were beginning to see Guy Fawkes masks on occupy protesters. It was the Holy Grail of informal learning! Their interests were dovetailing with current events.

I often ask student teachers this question, “Is it your goal to teach or for your students to learn?” They are two very different things, teaching and learning. One focuses on how we impart knowledge, the other on how we construct knowledge. Over the past few months I’ve been able to watch a group of students build knowledge. Young people, some of whom will be voting in the next presidential election have been critically evaluating the events of the past few weeks through the filter of classic and contemporary literature, asking questions most would never think to answer. I think I’ll see if any of them have read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep.

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Civic Engagement, Educator Resources

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Online gamers crack AIDS enzyme puzzle

By Agence France-Presse

PARIS — Online gamers have achieved a feat beyond the realm of Second Life or Dungeons and Dragons: they have deciphered the structure of an enzyme of an AIDS-like virus that had thwarted scientists for a decade.

The exploit is published on Sunday in the journal Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, where — exceptionally in scientific publishing — both gamers and researchers are honoured as co-authors.

Their target was a monomeric protease enzyme, a cutting agent in the complex molecular tailoring of retroviruses, a family that includes HIV.

Figuring out the structure of proteins is vital for understanding the causes of many diseases and developing drugs to block them.

But a microscope gives only a flat image of what to the outsider looks like a plate of one-dimensional scrunched-up spaghetti. Pharmacologists, though, need a 3-D picture that “unfolds” the molecule and rotates it in order to reveal potential targets for drugs.

This is where Foldit comes in.

Continue the Article Here

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Civic Engagement, Games, Outside Source

Teaching Media Literacy through Critical Thinking with ‘The Help’

Two key concepts in media literacy are: that all media construct versions of reality and that media is interpreted through individual lenses. These concepts are at the core of the recent controversy over the new movie “The Help”. To be accurate, the controversy began with the release of the book but has been brought to the forefront with the release of the book. Critics claim the story is so “ahistoric” that is “inaccurate”.

USA Today’s Maria Puente explores this controversy in her article ‘The Help’ gets heat for ‘inaccurate’ portrayal of history

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2011/08/the-help-gets-heat-for-inaccurate-portrayal-of-history/1

The article and discussion around the article is an ideal icebreaker to introduce the Civil Rights Movement. Begin by distributing copies of Puente’s article to the class. After the students have read the article use a collaborative learning activity such as Pairs to partner students to discuss questions such as:

What are the concerns about the film/story?
Who is voicing those concerns?
Do you think that individual perspective affects who is voicing these concerns?
Do you think those concerns are being voiced because of a fear that history is being rewritten?

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Civic Engagement, Educator Resources, Media literacy

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ARGs Rock!

Attention Gamers! This new ARG allows you to explore history while playing. What’s an ARG you ask? If you are not familiar with Alternate Reality Games? Visit
http://www.giantmice.com/features/arg-quickstart/
for a quick primer. Rediscovering Loyalty was written as research for a future academic course.

Why can’t we see more ARGs in education? Well I’m guessing you had to look up the primer, so now you know what they are and can begin to create them for your classrooms.

Rediscovering Loyalty puts YOU into a storyline in which the history of Japanese American people during World War II suddenly becomes of utmost importance to you. You will need to figure out how to apply your learning of past historical events in order to help you and your team survive through the entire game.

Rediscovering Loyalty is a team-based game that consists of a series of scenarios that lead players to collaboratively solve puzzles and accomplish activities. As players complete each task, the game presents new scenarios and eventually takes players through an entire storyline.

The game presents a fun way to learn about Japanese American history, teamwork and collaboration skills, and various Web 2.0 technologies. In addition, the game is also a social experience in which players get to know their teammates and other players – and even themselves – a little better.

The game begins August 1, 2011 and will take approximately six to eight weeks to complete. Target player age range: high school to adult. Everyone who signs up must participate (no lurking allowed).

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Civic Engagement, Educator Resources, Games, New Media, Outside Source

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Jennifer Anne’s Group Annual Game Design Contest

Jennifer Ann’s Group annual game design contest to prevent teen dating violence with information about the current contest, rules, information, and previous award-winning games. There’s still over 2 months to enter our latest video game design contest – first place is $3500 ! AND you can still play all of the games for FREE on their site.

Check it out here!

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Civic Engagement, Games

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Pop Goes the Classroom

An Education & Outreach Project of Infinite Spectrum Productions

Archive for the ‘Civic Engagement’ Category

Edutopia: Do BOYD Programs Encourage Bullying?

Laughing Moon Con

Using Technology to Teach About the Election | Edutopia

Part of a bigger picture: Infinite Spectrum Productions Corporate Responsibility Report 2011

…we use the tools of the new millennium to market, promote, and produce the mythologies of a new generation.

Advocacy

Education and Outreach