Peace, One Day. September 21. Reach And Teach.

Sept. 21, 2009: United Nations International Day of Peace. (Not that you could tell from the Google icon which is marking HGWells' bday, ahem.) Ways for kids to 'imagine all the people...?' Show them the wings of hope with peace doves soaring high, conveying that the power of youth is global. (My hero, JGI’s Roots & Shoots) Look how much fun the Sprouts of Hope kids … [Read more...]

Social Media ABC’s: An International Opportunity

June 23, 2009 Changeblogger and informal learning pro Jasmin Tragas, (also one of my fellow NextNow Collaboratory global gal pals and co-contributors to the Age of Conversation Gavin Heaton and Drew McClellan's collaborative social media project for Variety, the Children’s charity) has put together a stunningly simple alphabet slide show that's Sesame-Street-easy in imparting … [Read more...]

Part One: Shaping Youth Interviews Racialicious on Pop Culture Cues

Racism is a loaded term that sends politically correct media outlets running for cover and well-meaning pundits into shaky quaky territory. It’s no wonder that kids themselves can get confused, for media takes shortcuts to ‘typify’ characters because it’s quick, and easy. We're all aware that when it's reinforced in a daily diet of stereotypes, it can … [Read more...]

Spider-Man 3: Web of Influence In Kid-Culture

There are plenty of spins on the Spider-Man 3 record-breaking $382 million worldwide “priciest movie ever made" buzz...so I’m going to take a deconstructionist view about summer box office biggies, and look at the impact of media hype-fests on kids. Not pickin’ on Spidey, here; haven’t even seen the flick yet, I’m talking about a global web … [Read more...]

Youth Culture Clash: When Parody Strikes & Adults Freeze

Keeping my finger on ‘whassup’ in youth culture can lead to ‘life’s most embarrassing moments’ in a keystroke. Case in point? I stay apprised with what’s circulating the net using a handy tool called Top Viral Videos to see what’s clicking through with 6 million viewers and such. Einstein, the amazing talking bird and sweet otters … [Read more...]