tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248749862024-02-27T21:39:36.604-08:00Communicate Your IdeasIf the 1980's was the decade of the Great Communicator then the 1990's spawned an entire generation of great communicators. This blog is designed to explore the way in which technology interacts with human communication and how humans interact with and through technology.Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-55930795572335645972020-05-11T21:38:00.003-07:002020-05-14T10:01:32.526-07:00The Power of Political Endorsements in Elections<br />
I teach 8th grade Social Science in San Francisco, CA. <br />
<br />
Exploring American history, culture, government and society with over a hundred students every year, I learned that young people need to understand the importance of voting to convince them to pay attention to elections.<br />
<br />
I tell them I registered and voted in every election since I gained the right to vote in 1978, but that's not very convincing to Middle School students who are four years from 18.<br />
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I also tell them a story from before I was old enough to vote when I learned exactly how Bernie Sanders felt the night <a href="https://amyklobuchar.com/" target="_blank">Amy Klobuchar</a> gave up her campaign for President and started a tidal wave of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=545CmsRhDD8" target="_blank">endorsements for Joe Biden</a>. Klobuchar supported a growing enthusiasm for Biden's
candidacy and helped sweep him to victory in Texas and other states on <b>Super Tuesday</b>
the next day.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpndN1jEiAsle53CpvWnMv3YOjohioPTsuDGmEsV4OmFBliPcXhvgZernbo4qgUHlX_KNrfAt-gnrbKTHGHRwfZCLM12SLUmR5OSo21nfUpLLaTTpcGwehyphenhyphenQfFOwwctuqCv5m/s1600/Woodstein_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="735" data-original-width="1152" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpndN1jEiAsle53CpvWnMv3YOjohioPTsuDGmEsV4OmFBliPcXhvgZernbo4qgUHlX_KNrfAt-gnrbKTHGHRwfZCLM12SLUmR5OSo21nfUpLLaTTpcGwehyphenhyphenQfFOwwctuqCv5m/s200/Woodstein_01.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Capital 'Y'</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The exact same thing happened to me in 1978 when I ran for Governor in the <b><a href="https://www.calymca.org/" target="_blank">YMCA Youth and Government</a></b> program. <br />
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The election was like a caucus. After candidate speeches and lobbying we did a roll call vote. After the first ballot each group spent time advocating for their candidate.<br />
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During caucusing I negotiated a deal with three other candidates who all agreed to endorse the one with the most votes on the second ballot. We believed these votes would be enough to challenge front running candidates on a third ballot.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghR1HRqBW8C4e844aF6B7beS9K7vbYHLLib19NvBL69L4tdkwVuxODQtA3CrzVlG4vIypPp4eKKEDB4DZJJtDx-mfoKl3aY7HzLUqlJvP2QKan_C_U4M6tMLQFREUvyjW5sF_2/s1600/Brad_Gov_moonbeam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="458" data-original-width="640" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghR1HRqBW8C4e844aF6B7beS9K7vbYHLLib19NvBL69L4tdkwVuxODQtA3CrzVlG4vIypPp4eKKEDB4DZJJtDx-mfoKl3aY7HzLUqlJvP2QKan_C_U4M6tMLQFREUvyjW5sF_2/s320/Brad_Gov_moonbeam.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">California "Senator" Brad Lakritz with Governor Brown in 1978.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After the second ballot I was the candidate with the most votes but that wasn't enough to get their endorsements.<br />
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It turned out that members of the coalition never expected me to win and did not plan to vote for me. Immediately they endorsed other candidates including the expected winner.<br />
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The <b><i>Capitol Y</i></b> student newspaper published stories about that election during the legislative conference in Sacramento later that year.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiXPqLjP2U4PlFyBLTGUjPtiS-6htUR860eKItxId-6uSax4yaFb3K2HKQ_b-P0CyO-ghM4XDshhe4x9KXnR3F9YDn4ePlPkhUx-OekoKYPMXsMbqtqN0N8M6CWlnoR1KCAzM/s1600/Agreement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1561" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijiXPqLjP2U4PlFyBLTGUjPtiS-6htUR860eKItxId-6uSax4yaFb3K2HKQ_b-P0CyO-ghM4XDshhe4x9KXnR3F9YDn4ePlPkhUx-OekoKYPMXsMbqtqN0N8M6CWlnoR1KCAzM/s320/Agreement.jpg" width="163" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">"Woodstein"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
"I knew that Joe (Pipersky) wouldn't vote for Brad,' commented Marjorie Alvord," noted the <i><b>Capitol Y</b></i>. "At this point, Marjorie Alvord's YMCA, Crescenta-Canada, changed all of their eight votes from Alvord to LaRiva, further dissolving the 'coalition.'"<br />
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This was a devastating blow for a 17 year old high school student. How could they lie to me like that? Pipersky was later quoted saying "I didn't want to throw my support to Lakritz . . . " Which begs the question of why he promised to do so in the first place.<br />
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Clearly he and the others were only fishing for my endorsement.<br />
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From a political point of view, I believe young people should learn more about <b>what's best for America, and all Americans</b>, not what (or who) their party tells them they should vote for. So it shouldn't matter which party you belong to. What should matter is who is the best candidate.<br />
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How that plays out in each election might very well be different.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZtGvzcye-xh7RozZM1USUs1GbejduQqbv7uL8kATATAPwhUv4RWEeRCo_6oij8UNqKUnVFEbhSDomkFnPHYh2tSM8FK6-Dx0zNjc8zbAzemAulY_pJ4Aegxc0mQqlZI7dJch/s1600/Screen+Shot+2020-05-12+at+2.04.34+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="930" data-original-width="1184" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZtGvzcye-xh7RozZM1USUs1GbejduQqbv7uL8kATATAPwhUv4RWEeRCo_6oij8UNqKUnVFEbhSDomkFnPHYh2tSM8FK6-Dx0zNjc8zbAzemAulY_pJ4Aegxc0mQqlZI7dJch/s200/Screen+Shot+2020-05-12+at+2.04.34+PM.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">John Anderson</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For example, <a href="https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-john-anderson-2050-story.html" target="_blank"><b>John Anderson</b></a> was an intriguing candidate to me in 1980 because he was a
long term Republican Congressman from Illinois now running as an
Independent. I saw him as likely to not go along with whatever the party expected.<br />
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Because of party politics, however, Anderson had no chance to succeed and only took away votes from <b><a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/james-carter/" target="_blank">Jimmy Carter</a></b>, helping <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/ronald-reagan/" target="_blank"><b>Ronald Reagan</b></a> win the <b>White House</b>.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGtRL50ifFwIr-0tcCsQ2Ysvc2kfCK5ypSz2FbpxWA9-C94wWca6O-kQ88HhKmOQM3GLHGciqkaU9JrKZ7sCKCA_tjIsK-zV85tE2yXKRqmdxW7_bVG3p0GBXQUcDP3XKOqMO/s1600/Simon_Lakritz_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1086" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaGtRL50ifFwIr-0tcCsQ2Ysvc2kfCK5ypSz2FbpxWA9-C94wWca6O-kQ88HhKmOQM3GLHGciqkaU9JrKZ7sCKCA_tjIsK-zV85tE2yXKRqmdxW7_bVG3p0GBXQUcDP3XKOqMO/s200/Simon_Lakritz_01.jpg" width="135" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Simon Lakritz</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The last time I can remember being registered as a <b>Democrat</b> was to vote for my Dad, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd87HpZXQCY&feature=emb_logo" target="_blank"><b>Simon Lakritz</b></a>, who <a href="https://www.google.com/books/edition/_/CSH0TKr5uCUC?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=Lakritz" target="_blank">ran for Congress in 1984</a>. He was a popular Democrat but the <b>Party</b> gave him no support because they didn't think it was worth their effort (and money). They expected a "<b>Reagan Coattail"</b> effect. Despite no real support, he received about 48,000 votes, but that was less than 30% of the total votes cast.<br />
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Today, I wonder what would it have taken for him to get the kind of endorsements he would have needed to win that election.<br />
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Over the years since then, I've registered as <b>"Decline to State"</b> and <b>"No Party Preference"</b> for voting in California. I choose who to vote for, or which way to vote on a proposition, based on who or what I believe will be best for the local community, state, or federal government.<br />
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To my knowledge, <a href="https://berniesanders.com/" target="_blank"><b>Bernie Sanders</b></a> was never promised anything. In fact, it is clear to me that the <a href="https://democrats.org/" target="_blank"><b>Democratic Party</b></a>
did not want him as their candidate in 2016. And, they are making it clear
they don't want him today despite his early leads in polls and primaries, and legions of excited young Bernie voters.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmfm_wqqfVAGdQLQhERKO0_nve9QK5wvflm0M2o58-ftnU66ivCxOldjOwt8s-Z5AY9Psxto1A8UzpGz9j1wb1P-beyNNmz0GjBYK2vmMOhRTMQEi9eGoKtB1ns_udU2kGumx/s1600/ClyburnBiden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmfm_wqqfVAGdQLQhERKO0_nve9QK5wvflm0M2o58-ftnU66ivCxOldjOwt8s-Z5AY9Psxto1A8UzpGz9j1wb1P-beyNNmz0GjBYK2vmMOhRTMQEi9eGoKtB1ns_udU2kGumx/s200/ClyburnBiden.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Rep. James Clyburn endorsing Biden</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I believe Biden's endorsement tidal wave actually began a week before Super Tuesday when South Carolina's Representative <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/02/26/808856350/clyburn-endorses-biden-ahead-of-south-carolina-primary" target="_blank"><b>James Clyburn</b></a> gave his <a href="https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2020/02/26/rep-james-clyburn-south-carolina-joe-biden-endorsement-vpx.cnn" target="_blank"><b>endorsement </b></a> to <b><a href="https://joebiden.com/" target="_blank">Joe Biden</a></b>. It's obvious to me now that this endorsement was the final blow to Bernie's campaign.<br />
<br />
Although Biden was already expected to win South Carolina, Clyburn's endorsement sent his numbers even higher there, influencing Kloubacher and others to line up and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/02/us/politics/pete-buttigieg-joe-biden-endorsement.html" target="_blank">endorse</a> him. <br />
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I'm sure Democrats couldn't be happier today and it looks like any vote for Bernie in future primaries would be dividing the Party and helping the opposition candidate. <br />
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Proving once again that, in American politics, if your candidate didn't get the endorsements needed to succeed, your choice may be made for you before you go to the ballot box.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<br />Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-79288299424375826982018-08-08T11:29:00.001-07:002019-06-11T08:25:42.762-07:00Time for the People to Speak UpAnyone who thinks the government doesn't impact their lives should look at the work of the <b>Environmental Protection Agency</b> <a href="https://www.epa.gov/" target="_blank">(EPA)</a>. One can argue that clean air and water are two of those "inalienable rights" endowed upon all Americans. Imagine what the pursuit of happiness looks like in <a href="https://www.epa.gov/flint" target="_blank">Flint, MI</a> these days?<br />
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When government leaders change, decisions are made that alter the course of government programs. Changes to government environmental protections can have huge impact in our lives.<br />
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In a Democracy, people have opportunity to make a difference in important issues in society. We can elect new candidates who support ideas we agree with, we can run for office ourselves, and we can actively support these new candidates in their election campaigns.<br />
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Knowledge and understanding of current events, issues, and potential solutions to problems is an important factor in the success of government in a Democracy. If the people don't know what's going on, the political leaders will decide for them what's best.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4K8ArCrBOpmGYQJsW2tlO_4hFvcSIXhMoiHGBpJZwzI3x-XG13mUySsn8vZO6ZoPEvgHb4Uwx2w0grDDAnh_kkQEkIZbkm4H5yKvPRHTdflEKRX4jTej3CgeyE3WLMAjBinrd/s1600/1978+Cover.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1233" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4K8ArCrBOpmGYQJsW2tlO_4hFvcSIXhMoiHGBpJZwzI3x-XG13mUySsn8vZO6ZoPEvgHb4Uwx2w0grDDAnh_kkQEkIZbkm4H5yKvPRHTdflEKRX4jTej3CgeyE3WLMAjBinrd/s320/1978+Cover.jpeg" width="246" /></a>In the 1970's, I was fortunate enough to participate in the <b><a href="https://calymca.org/" target="_blank">YMCA's Youth and Government program</a></b> for high school students. Young people got together to analyze important issues in California and wrote bills, resolutions, and judicial opinions on them.<br />
<br />
Not only did we learn politics, but we learned that in order to make change you have be the catalyst of that change. I recall the first year I did this program we wrote a bill to require helmets for anyone riding a motorcycle. Today, I believe it's impossible to imagine a world where people would be allowed to ride a motorcycle on the streets without a helmet.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTBbvw4Pu7CYGBgEUpcwh_sbwsaJI5v149rVqM4BqkFSP_irr4HRlV8cQztcaYohtEfnm26nTkRXH3gvTNjwlMs1ydyKSSRMTHy2dD3-FE1Ib-EWlbdzYS53n-pfZ3kLWjGSy/s1600/1978+Resolution+215.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1206" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRTBbvw4Pu7CYGBgEUpcwh_sbwsaJI5v149rVqM4BqkFSP_irr4HRlV8cQztcaYohtEfnm26nTkRXH3gvTNjwlMs1ydyKSSRMTHy2dD3-FE1Ib-EWlbdzYS53n-pfZ3kLWjGSy/s320/1978+Resolution+215.jpeg" width="241" /></a>Fast forward to 2018 and we have a president and Congress that wants to reverse rules and laws at a dizzying pace. In particular they have <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/02/climate/trump-auto-emissions-california.html" target="_blank">targeted automobile mileage standards</a>.<br />
<br />
These changes are disappointing for me personally on multiple levels. Beyond the continued divisive nature of these political actions, this particular move also seeks to end something I saw as important back in 1978.<br />
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As you can see from our Senate Resolution 215, in 1978 we were seeking to use government to encourage more fuel efficient vehicles. The resolution sought a rating of 25 MPG or better.<br />
<br />
At the time, I can recall paying anywhere from 50 to 75 cents a gallon for gas. About 15 years later I purchased a 3-cylinder Geo Metro that averaged 50 MPG and today I drive an all electric vehicle half the time.<br />
<br />
Some estimates say that we pay at least five times as much for gas as we did in 1978. Why shouldn't we expect our cars to get five times the mileage today?<br />
<br />
I believe that not only can we meet the original goals for MPG, and other sustainability efforts, but we should be able to exceed them. If we truly want to make America great, this is a perfect example of where we should be reaching higher and not going backwards.<br />
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It's time for the people to speak up.<br />
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<br />Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-21570250533008381842018-03-17T16:27:00.000-07:002018-03-22T22:49:13.144-07:00Back to school <div>
After almost 30 years as an educational media and technology administrator I became a full time teacher for the first time in 2015. Of course, one doesn't really just "become a teacher" at any time in life much less when you are already past the 50 year mark! It's hard work no matter how young or old you are. </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUeUlpkU3vKI0lw4GhWmp5Ew6WeFK3npiiz53TbLTOnw9mvmzWs5W0dq3zXZGM6bgUWlx_lYmmUzTJLW4C_6TmTkIC80_EaTcm-iabHlKchel6qabs847joYHg2U63QxA9gBay/s200/IMG_7508.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Studying with my kids!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Completing a teaching credential and Master's Degree in Education three years later wasn't easy either. Actually, the work truly wasn't difficult because I enjoyed doing it all. And, sometimes I got to do my homework with my two college students! The problem of course is there was never enough time.<br />
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Teaching full time and going to school full time is probably one of life's greatest challenges. I highly recommend it to anyone who is up for a roller coaster adventure for a daily life. </div>
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Some days I feel like I'm "Teaching for America's Future." But I want to be clear that I don't work for <a href="https://www.teachforamerica.org/" target="_blank">Teach for America</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixD-b1y3fBGCOwNQY-z6aPI5JIwsqFxSZBzdDZspIOcgNEsocqjiujWxpmwDwdUBjcCgicAelRzEb3KUiy72NG2PX486MkrrP67o-2w57-3FwturZ4tdktPBbAciuqe43XE1Q1/s1600/IMG_7989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixD-b1y3fBGCOwNQY-z6aPI5JIwsqFxSZBzdDZspIOcgNEsocqjiujWxpmwDwdUBjcCgicAelRzEb3KUiy72NG2PX486MkrrP67o-2w57-3FwturZ4tdktPBbAciuqe43XE1Q1/s200/IMG_7989.jpg" width="200" /></a>However, the school where I teach certainly fits the profile of Teach for America's focused efforts. When I became a full time teacher, I also decided to change school types. I ended up going from the priciest private schools in the Bay Area, to some of the highest of poverty schools.<br />
<br />
The work feels like I'm teaching for America's future because recent studies on teacher shortages in America show that high-poverty schools are significantly more impacted by teacher shortages than all other schools. Ninety percent of low-income schools have trouble hiring teachers for Special Education. 1 in 5 teachers in low-income/high-poverty schools are considered unqualified because they are teaching without a credential or they are teaching outside their primary subject area. And those that are qualified don't last long in these schools.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1393" data-original-width="1600" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjke306O9fJWDUMb8OUQogREI44zBSAhemP9j2Z_e6iXxeqY5o-ZIPfOQSy5rYNwmib-enSR9nSUEFKf5Jm1cfNdn_61dKiJ0uKFqhuyYQJaZOLS_xDqVo71L6AYdZVnEDRuk7v/s200/Mom_Masters_Photo.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mimi Lakritz - May 1981</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>"Standing on the shoulders of my ancestors"</b><br />
For those who knew me growing up, there may be no surprise that I made this change given the fact that my Dad was a teacher at the same public high school for 37 years.<br />
<br />
The real story about me today is about going back to school and going back to where I came from. I came from school and I've always loved school. My family was full of teachers and it still is full of teachers.<br />
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Another interesting family connection is that my Mom also went back to school when she was older. She completed her Masters Degree in Social Work in 1981 at the age of 48. We were all very proud of her when she did that. Now I know a lot more about what it took for her to do that at her age and under the circumstances of those days.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7MXyBViHHXDk0khAlkAZPTwJjdRqT-XN5hbxLkNP8XQ1GEsOp3Ud-e2S5doIBSDHxxE64Iw0Hxh-6VLngyG2nymsf1iOPVTEE3UKgdatrJ-XlSHX8Pe0Ek_WBilI0Fvah99g/s1600/Brad_new+teachers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie7MXyBViHHXDk0khAlkAZPTwJjdRqT-XN5hbxLkNP8XQ1GEsOp3Ud-e2S5doIBSDHxxE64Iw0Hxh-6VLngyG2nymsf1iOPVTEE3UKgdatrJ-XlSHX8Pe0Ek_WBilI0Fvah99g/s200/Brad_new+teachers.jpg" width="200" /></a>These past three years have been a long and challenging journey. Completing a Masters Degree is an important and valuable accomplishment for me. I learned so much and certainly could not have survived in the job had I not done this preparation.<br />
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Being a "new teacher" has had it's perks. I got to go to new teacher workshops at the beginning of the past two school years and I have had a mentor working with me weekly for the past year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbhyR-p6RmOrIlHVEJvSUMdT72G-FchHyhX5aHu4XSeVScQy_MmFn2_Jm7BoXDrKn6O0QKQEgiPkKrbz31j67fbwO8wc_PTbrcNDzbn6b2j1eK7kCPvWTBM-Ssk_ZmyW2jW2L/s1600/Brad_tech.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="600" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDbhyR-p6RmOrIlHVEJvSUMdT72G-FchHyhX5aHu4XSeVScQy_MmFn2_Jm7BoXDrKn6O0QKQEgiPkKrbz31j67fbwO8wc_PTbrcNDzbn6b2j1eK7kCPvWTBM-Ssk_ZmyW2jW2L/s200/Brad_tech.jpg" width="200" /></a>Teacher shortages wont go away unless we can convince more people to look seriously at teaching. Perhaps we need to promote teaching a little differently. Unique teacher appreciation gifts, like the one I got my first year at my school, can be an important way to support teachers.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8zGRwJPsngzEX4Wz7WwP68b7Sqhm2Y8izrtTJC4LVkUjiqP4Ff4TcOWxS35COXw4kzIwzXlgwyKbuldRpjNe1qqQHRgE4RknBQPmc8zO4o0dO4SD8yhWk0PkNEGbuZaUGkp_/s1600/Brad_Gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8zGRwJPsngzEX4Wz7WwP68b7Sqhm2Y8izrtTJC4LVkUjiqP4Ff4TcOWxS35COXw4kzIwzXlgwyKbuldRpjNe1qqQHRgE4RknBQPmc8zO4o0dO4SD8yhWk0PkNEGbuZaUGkp_/s200/Brad_Gift.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px; text-align: center;">Unique teacher appreciation idea<br />
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I also enjoy teaching with technology and all my students got iPads these past two years so that helps extend their learning as well as my teaching. All students should be learning with technology. This program is crucial to the goal of bridging the digital divide for many of our families who cannot afford Internet access at home.<br />
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For now, I know I'm doing my part to prepare our young people to know the history of America and what it means to be good citizens of our young country. I've completed my own work and on June 1, 2018, I will graduate for the first time since 1983. I feel pretty good about all that.<br />
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<br />Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-3573381466733890862016-02-03T21:44:00.000-08:002016-02-05T10:18:52.425-08:00The Facebook Reconnect and Death NoticeI was a little bored tonight and procrastinating about some work I needed to do. After I finished dinner, I checked my email and trolled a bit on my Facebook feed.<br />
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Thinking about my online "friends" and wondered what was going on with some of the people I know but never seem to hear from anymore, I decided to plow through my friend list. I found about 25 "friends" who had deactivated accounts so I unfriended them as I scrolled down.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjz-nkR__zGBF8hPB7JlmiMMdGOEKB7XAMCDTvv1J-YGEyBvb7YI7LducMtolcj7mneKpu9O8rfoOZL0hEgeWwlw43hrdYkJ_Ikdk6zjt1kPG1kYCXRX0p_YsDbn13GlTwMTD9/s1600/Rhonda_03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjz-nkR__zGBF8hPB7JlmiMMdGOEKB7XAMCDTvv1J-YGEyBvb7YI7LducMtolcj7mneKpu9O8rfoOZL0hEgeWwlw43hrdYkJ_Ikdk6zjt1kPG1kYCXRX0p_YsDbn13GlTwMTD9/s200/Rhonda_03.jpg" width="155" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Rhonda and Brad top row. Getting</span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">ready </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">for the Governor's Ball in 1978.</span></td></tr>
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I came across my friend <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/rhonda.mooney.5" target="_blank">Rhonda Mooney</a></b> who I met in high school while participating in the <b><a href="http://calymca.org/" target="_blank">YMCA Youth and Government</a></b> program. She was from San Diego and I grew up in the San Joaquin Valley.<br />
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We met in San Luis Obispo at the elections conference in 1978. She was a year behind me in school, but we became friends and even went to the <b>Governors Ball </b>together in Sacramento that year. I visited her with my friend Dan Burgess once in San Diego but hadn't heard much from her until we reconnected on Facebook in 2012.<br />
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The most recent posting on her timeline was from January 30, 2016. Only four days ago. But it was odd to me because it was one of those pictures you see people post where there is a candle and a saying about when you are missing someone. My first thought was that she and a friend had lost someone close and her friend Terri was sharing this with Rhonda to help her feel better.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjgAbWLjWcxoYD2hflR1SosC1PVVVP5VW2qrSST8R-EL-oswbaAFmz30Gll804KptRKzoZNdKxIxWalcYa4zse5gRV1YB_rk0drVoWdG3GLo4xIIZkGiH0og36FT86aZHNzpt/s1600/340328_134620349993923_100489092_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjgAbWLjWcxoYD2hflR1SosC1PVVVP5VW2qrSST8R-EL-oswbaAFmz30Gll804KptRKzoZNdKxIxWalcYa4zse5gRV1YB_rk0drVoWdG3GLo4xIIZkGiH0og36FT86aZHNzpt/s200/340328_134620349993923_100489092_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Rhonda, Dan, and Theresa circa 1978</span></td></tr>
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As I scrolled down, I saw that Terri had posted several more of these types of images and videos over the past several months. It wasn't until I got down to June 15, 2015 when I found out that Rhonda had passed away last year. I knew she had some major physical problems but I didn't expect to see this news. I immediately searched the Internet for an obituary but found nothing. She was a very private person when it came to social media, and there were only a few pictures on her Facebook page.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eK7aVD9Sz4jfTn_lKxHevalSwU7JIIELViJB7hX9Uh3jTRUsP331KCZ4VVpl9Fki0kuIgrNlMlzMTvqJsm0DOL5Yv2dU_H6VEoR9-b2uPYoW2MGPpFtNP6V0ti5LqR4iTWNj/s1600/11220470_10207513814622971_7039717282197782813_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9eK7aVD9Sz4jfTn_lKxHevalSwU7JIIELViJB7hX9Uh3jTRUsP331KCZ4VVpl9Fki0kuIgrNlMlzMTvqJsm0DOL5Yv2dU_H6VEoR9-b2uPYoW2MGPpFtNP6V0ti5LqR4iTWNj/s200/11220470_10207513814622971_7039717282197782813_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Lisa and Rhonda</span></td></tr>
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I was surprised to see one photo I had sent her from my visit to San Diego in 1978. I had the first comment on the photo: "I see you are playing the 'if we had Facebook in the 1970's' game. Well played."<br />
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I also found this beautiful photo of Rhonda and her friend Lisa.<br />
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I'm still kind of in shock about this news. Finding out that a friend died randomly via Facebook seems so strange and inhuman. On the other hand, had there never been a Facebook I probably would have never seen her or thought about her much the rest of my life.<br />
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I was having dinner with my daughter Emily last night and we were talking about those difficult years in Middle School and I asked her if she was still in touch with some of those friends. She said she was connected to them online, but she doesn't talk much with them if at all. Mostly she's moved on and stays in touch with her college friends and those people she's met since moving back to the Bay Area. I wondered silently whether or not she'd still know any of those people 35 years from now, and if being connected online would help keep them close. It seems unlikely to me.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55tT_N00in1CioV-gLMVjLHAwshvDh66_Zb8R3DwM6ui7WdAk0XoVh-KZgmwoMlgv5YnPOe_oFNA4h2CaaWbyPeKAWWG-3Bd7QCqEWR5MCK0J0TKhyP6LHUzSc9HDchf9ehF1/s1600/11113033_10200683521486120_7868854768316796963_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55tT_N00in1CioV-gLMVjLHAwshvDh66_Zb8R3DwM6ui7WdAk0XoVh-KZgmwoMlgv5YnPOe_oFNA4h2CaaWbyPeKAWWG-3Bd7QCqEWR5MCK0J0TKhyP6LHUzSc9HDchf9ehF1/s200/11113033_10200683521486120_7868854768316796963_o.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
I knew Rhonda loved cars and jeeps and driving in the desert and mountains and there were many postings about this part of her life. I found out that she loved music and found postings about Roy Rogers and BB King -- two of my favorites. I read all the comments on Rhonda's timeline after her niece announced her death. She was very loved and is sorely missed by many.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7wGV9RZVkLlKygYMDhL_7zQNsZZaxX2qmkds-sCffRuExWaYUfo_J_ZyJJPO14PWriv0102-EGcUG6fABmqirHEwg9vBrWa7ztI7ImudN4ezkAJvqLfkdVoVyCoUOEZakVWK/s1600/Rhonda_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7wGV9RZVkLlKygYMDhL_7zQNsZZaxX2qmkds-sCffRuExWaYUfo_J_ZyJJPO14PWriv0102-EGcUG6fABmqirHEwg9vBrWa7ztI7ImudN4ezkAJvqLfkdVoVyCoUOEZakVWK/s200/Rhonda_02.jpg" width="141" /></a>For now I'm left with only the memories of those youthful days in high school and a good friend who is no longer with us. I'll leave you with the idea that technology can bring us together but it can't truly connect us as humans unless we make the effort to connect.<br />
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Looking at these two photos I took back in 1978 helps me recall her, but there was so much in life that happened since those days. We spoke on the phone once or twice a few years ago, but I can't say I knew her as she was when she died. I only have bits and pieces from her online profile.<br />
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And, I never got to say goodbye.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4hiZFAOhKFBQEl09e29GSoERGUjhieiFsDYRWcJEafZaue4RJnMZvKS1myehyphenhyphencbFIrgRyr3ce8lrpdWchEBxZ8aNdpdhNDMBh4uwOHlScqg0UG4aOvODhVP4D414kajV5zCl/s1600/Rhonda_01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC4hiZFAOhKFBQEl09e29GSoERGUjhieiFsDYRWcJEafZaue4RJnMZvKS1myehyphenhyphencbFIrgRyr3ce8lrpdWchEBxZ8aNdpdhNDMBh4uwOHlScqg0UG4aOvODhVP4D414kajV5zCl/s200/Rhonda_01.jpg" width="141" /></a><br />
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<br />Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-65894515597750192242015-10-17T12:31:00.000-07:002015-10-17T12:31:49.257-07:00Enhanced Card Catalog or Massive Copyright Violation?In 2004, Google began what it calls "an enhanced card catalog of the world's books." The <a href="https://www.google.com/googlebooks/library/">Google Books Library Project</a> is an attempt to provide an easy way for people to find books that are relevant to the research or current reading interests. Google states that it's ultimate goal is to:<br />
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". . . work with publishers and libraries to create a comprehensive, searchable, virtual card catalog of all books in all languages that helps users discover new books and publishers discover new readers." </blockquote>
The <b><a href="https://www.authorsguild.org/">Author's Guild</a></b> says this is a violation of copyright. After this week's <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/17/business/media/googles-digital-library-wins-court-of-appeals-ruling.html?_r=0">Court of Appeals ruling</a> in favor of Google, the Guild plans to take Google to the Supreme Court.<br />
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On the one hand it might seem like Google is off base and the idea of creating a "card catalog of all books" is an unwanted idea that could cost writers and publishers money and market share in the world of ideas. On the other hand it might seem like writers and publishers are limiting the opportunity to get their ideas seen around the world.<br />
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Is it all about money? This question of copyright and the publication of content is more about how we use our technology to publish and access information. Access to digital data is growing so fast it's impossible for anyone to consume it all. And, digital libraries are popping up all over the place.<br />
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One example is the <a href="http://dp.la/info/" target="_blank">Digtial Public Library of America</a>:<br />
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/m0ngLBa4ewM/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m0ngLBa4ewM?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
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As <b>Luis Herrera</b>, City Librarian for the San Francisco Public Library says "think of it as a virtual library of Americana that's free and accessible to all."<br />
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The DPLA is just the latest effort in this area. The <b><a href="http://library.si.edu/digital-library" target="_blank">Smithsonian</a></b>, the <b><a href="http://www.archives.gov/" target="_blank">National Archives</a></b>, the <b><a href="https://www.loc.gov/" target="_blank">Library of Congress</a></b>, and <b><a href="http://www.cdlib.org/" target="_blank">California Digital Library</a></b> (CDL) all provide free and open access to digital materials.<br />
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The <b>University of California</b> began the <b>CDL</b> in 1997 and has "assembled one of the world's largest digital research libraries and changed the ways that faculty, students, and researchers discover and access information." In fact, the California Digital Library <a href="http://www.cdlib.org/services/collections/massdig/index.html" target="_blank">mass digitization program</a> is directly involved with the <b>Google Books Library Project</b> and with the <b><a href="https://archive.org/" target="_blank">Internet Archive</a></b>.<br />
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If libraries are doing this, why then does the Writer's Guild want to stop Google? The Guild says the ruling will ultimately reduce the amount of produced content as writers lose interest in working in a field where they won't be able to make a living.<br />
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The <b><a href="https://archive.org/" target="_blank">Internet Archive</a></b> believes that:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Libraries exist to preserve society's cultural artifacts and to provide access to them. If libraries are to continue to foster education and scholarship in this era of digital technology, it's essential for them to extend those functions into the digital world."</blockquote>
As we've seen with the music industry, the film industry, news media, and almost any area of content, technology has allowed us to go beyond the traditional ways of communicating our ideas. These communication industries must continue to forge ahead with both the creation of new content and ways to compensate their writers, directors, producers, actors, and anyone else involved in the creative process.<br />
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If we do that then more information will be available to more people on earth. That would be a good thing.<br />
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<br />Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-8187347154256034952015-06-02T10:55:00.000-07:002015-06-02T10:55:03.187-07:00Digital World Unveils The Art Of Traditional PhotographyI've been taking pictures since 1972. My first camera was a <a href="https://www.kodak.com/ek/US/en/Our_Company/History_of_Kodak/Milestones_-_chronology/1960-1979.htm" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">Kodak Instamatic</a>. In the summer of 1974 I took my first photography class at my local high school.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPNcFH6H-jwr7HL5tcmWroXSOwtooxTxVE3E4RhzK52va6jWZS-R1L2wkZrMrCojO0vr5aK0KtC9Z8PCVPtHfy5ILf3O-ZiKZCS9cT-JRRjLUqigr2QcyQpuVleAp1w7mCfki/s1600/Instamatic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZPNcFH6H-jwr7HL5tcmWroXSOwtooxTxVE3E4RhzK52va6jWZS-R1L2wkZrMrCojO0vr5aK0KtC9Z8PCVPtHfy5ILf3O-ZiKZCS9cT-JRRjLUqigr2QcyQpuVleAp1w7mCfki/s200/Instamatic.jpg" width="200" /></a>Between 1963 and 1975 <b>Kodak</b> produced more than 75 million <b>Instamatic</b> cameras helping to popularize a new mode of visual communication for the average consumer.<br />
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At about that same time <b>Kodak</b> also introduced the world's first <a href="http://petapixel.com/2010/08/05/the-worlds-first-digital-camera-by-kodak-and-steve-sasson/" target="_blank"><b>digital camera</b></a>. It took about 20 years before there was an "affordable" <b><a href="http://www.popphoto.com/gear/2013/10/30-most-important-digital-cameras" target="_blank">digital camera</a></b> for the consumer.<br />
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For a short time in the 1990s savvy technology experts used software and either a scanner or video camera connected to a computer to capture digital video and still images.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKHcijooesFkCzZqM24I3De1b-o_Q2FK3KuFup-9qRVqkfpdA3do35efMxAQuPJY7iigFKZY3flyq2trc4AB2u2V9aj1uUUpJVd-yuHXGykBwQ0AaSQo6t5RNKyiLprjSFNHF/s1600/marv.noah.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKHcijooesFkCzZqM24I3De1b-o_Q2FK3KuFup-9qRVqkfpdA3do35efMxAQuPJY7iigFKZY3flyq2trc4AB2u2V9aj1uUUpJVd-yuHXGykBwQ0AaSQo6t5RNKyiLprjSFNHF/s200/marv.noah.gif" width="200" /></a>Scanners create a digital copy of a printed photograph or other document while video capture allows you to create new digital imagery on your computer. Here's an example of a still frame from video I captured in December, 1995.<br />
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Using the latest <b><a href="http://www.digitalpreservation.gov/formats/fdd/fdd000052.shtml" target="_blank">QuickTime software</a></b> available at the time I could capture a relatively sharp 320 x 240 pixel image. It was the first time I was able to easily post images on the Internet for family in friends.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GTlfzJ461LLZ7iCPfQypRbTmtN9ETuCNocMBdjzJhJ6SpygaufeIEXVRurliYF8Uo_oiaZK5wpmEa7692ymmQw4fnR8M_lJb-7CeWmxRnTIOUBj0juot2N-7tj58tlrky1Tg/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-06-01+at+4.49.34+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GTlfzJ461LLZ7iCPfQypRbTmtN9ETuCNocMBdjzJhJ6SpygaufeIEXVRurliYF8Uo_oiaZK5wpmEa7692ymmQw4fnR8M_lJb-7CeWmxRnTIOUBj0juot2N-7tj58tlrky1Tg/s200/Screen+Shot+2015-06-01+at+4.49.34+PM.png" width="200" /></a><b>*Note</b>: Another historic moment in digital imagery came when a camera focused on a coffee pot was connected to a computer. The computer was programmed to capture <a href="http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-20439301" target="_blank">still images</a> and post them on the Internet.<br />
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Today digital imagery and video is so ubiquitous it's become part of the daily fabric of life. We now store and share our images and video on phones or various cloud and social media sites.<br />
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In the "olden days" it was common practice to order extra prints of our favorite pictures to distribute to family and friends. One-hour photo shops were created in an early marketing effort to instill a sense of instant gratification in consumers. Most offered a special two prints for the price of one deal which helped people share their images.<br />
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Today our digital images almost never get printed whereas our old photos are almost never available for viewing beyond the home. There are millions of people all around the world who have prints, slides, and negatives but we almost never see or share these images. Typically any digitized images are captured and shared via mobile phone.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGbVvL1Y2xlvByF5n-sT0H8zLN-Dljp8WhwqGhei-7WlfZF1gBeLoAYZhG_OFydOZfSygJZubfogPQn8RxRu7uKuz6kjOoFUd9QiLaw2ukRZnhWGnyz-PweCKPXEkHuO5o0Te/s1600/IMG_6141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGbVvL1Y2xlvByF5n-sT0H8zLN-Dljp8WhwqGhei-7WlfZF1gBeLoAYZhG_OFydOZfSygJZubfogPQn8RxRu7uKuz6kjOoFUd9QiLaw2ukRZnhWGnyz-PweCKPXEkHuO5o0Te/s200/IMG_6141.jpg" width="200" /></a>In my personal photo archive I have tens of thousands of images captured over the past 40 plus years. I have maybe two or three thousand shot on film. Over the past 15 years I've used a variety of scanners to digitize some of these images but I doubt I will ever scan them all.<br />
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Recently I purchased a small, inexpensive scanner to quickly and easily capture images from my negatives and slides. It comes with a low resolution screen and allows me to scan 5472 × 3648 resolution images directly to an SD card.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzo4SQ_f7Ikcm78Kzzn0NvtDUz8QhrTg7xgkeocknK6wIKB6wJiug2EA1d0kml4-M2B6k4BZr4uXQCHVEHTCeNMTGa6KHm9sJMEE3FlVex0-Mrg0dcZtCW8CKlf-c83HNe1zLc/s1600/InfraRed_Ahab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzo4SQ_f7Ikcm78Kzzn0NvtDUz8QhrTg7xgkeocknK6wIKB6wJiug2EA1d0kml4-M2B6k4BZr4uXQCHVEHTCeNMTGa6KHm9sJMEE3FlVex0-Mrg0dcZtCW8CKlf-c83HNe1zLc/s200/InfraRed_Ahab.jpg" width="200" /></a>Recently I captured a set of images from a series of color slides I created in my high school photography class.<br />
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No Photoshop or other image editing tools were used to colorize these pictures. These are scans of the actual slides as they were originally captured in my film camera.<br />
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Because we learned photography was an art our teacher taught us to use filters and other photographic tricks to manipulate images beyond traditional photographic methods. In this case we used infrared filters on our lens to create this effect.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_A-n5n9-Ba8ETCKLeEbcizojQhRLEKJiZtUIKAe2Rb3AfVy06aOqdI_TMnKbL0InUQj2hb_Aeu2cFERFI-Lx4iRJtcihS9B3XB6FjsWVW8LApvXtIKH1B_qDUqdCyvxUgAuU/s1600/InfraRed_Ahab_Mike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY_A-n5n9-Ba8ETCKLeEbcizojQhRLEKJiZtUIKAe2Rb3AfVy06aOqdI_TMnKbL0InUQj2hb_Aeu2cFERFI-Lx4iRJtcihS9B3XB6FjsWVW8LApvXtIKH1B_qDUqdCyvxUgAuU/s200/InfraRed_Ahab_Mike.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Today we might think there is no art of photography because images like this can be easily created using digital photo enhancement and editing tools. <br />
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Some have argued all the digital tools and online sharing have caused the "<a href="http://communicateyourideas.blogspot.com/2013/11/picture-this-end-of-photography.html?m=1" target="_blank">end of photography</a>." I don't think so.<br />
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I see big differences between photography as an art, as social media, as tools for marketing and branding, as journalistic and documentary resources, and as family history.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgDPmnyzR2dJjcVup0gU7FLONSlEPSgWaKDabwiQ8unJXAhxU2hs5p5yJLxJwc41IDaQViGAzFTuO72-M2UgxOdVkvZ-aJcdqJUQcOwEVf4aHq3pZ37CCdfA5Wq1i3J-GbAWb/s1600/WaldoLarson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgDPmnyzR2dJjcVup0gU7FLONSlEPSgWaKDabwiQ8unJXAhxU2hs5p5yJLxJwc41IDaQViGAzFTuO72-M2UgxOdVkvZ-aJcdqJUQcOwEVf4aHq3pZ37CCdfA5Wq1i3J-GbAWb/s320/WaldoLarson.jpg" width="217" /></a>Photography as an art form will only grow as digital tools become more available to consumers. Photographers who are or want to be artists just need to find their passion and express it. There are more places to do this than ever before.<br />
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I'm happy to have had the opportunity to learn photography as an art form before the digital age. I'm also glad I was able to capture this image from my negative archives of <b>Waldo Larson </b>--<b> </b>my first photography teacher. It was an honor to learn from him.<br />
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<br />Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-7516358443830009962015-01-15T13:02:00.000-08:002015-01-16T11:22:00.795-08:00How to Find a Job From Ideas (and Some Surprising Government Technology)Implementing a career change and getting the right job in the digital age is a complicated task. I am meeting with placement specialists, updating my <b><a href="http://www.nmmc.net/BRAD/Brad.html" target="_blank">resume</a></b> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakritz" target="_blank"><b>social media profiles</b></a>, scouring career opportunity websites, and talking with everyone I know to get myself out there.<br />
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I am fortunate to have so many colleagues and friends who know me well and want to help.<br />
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Last week my friend Scott Landress asked me how the career change process was going. After I went over the whole story he looked at me and said, "Brad, so far I know what you don't want to do, but you haven't told me what you do want to do."<br />
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In reflecting on his point I told him it's difficult to imagine myself doing something different from what I've done professionally for so long. This was reinforced by placement people who told me I would have plenty of opportunity to apply for technology and IT related jobs, particularly positions similar to my recent experience in education.<br />
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Getting options and offers to do something else is going to be a bit more challenging. I'm going to have to sell myself.<br />
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With that understanding I set out to identify exactly what I wanted to do in this next chapter of my working life. I decided to begin back in the early days of high school when I took aptitude tests to help me figure out what I was good at and what I wanted to do when I grew up.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiAn-Sz10p4rXGlmF2hsRWHiG19KvoQfefGH5WgrnMsOsDdXdrG3eoewMpt4YgVbJenCMlrtrYWil2BARttJeOit6jhxPDBjgKnd-eA8I6RLhUQkBltVxfME72JQvckZHUO6U/s1600/Job_title_search_II.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiAn-Sz10p4rXGlmF2hsRWHiG19KvoQfefGH5WgrnMsOsDdXdrG3eoewMpt4YgVbJenCMlrtrYWil2BARttJeOit6jhxPDBjgKnd-eA8I6RLhUQkBltVxfME72JQvckZHUO6U/s1600/Job_title_search_II.png" height="165" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Job Title Search circa 1976</span></td></tr>
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I still recall the three job titles that came to the top of the list after I took the career search surveys in high school: A<b>rchitect</b>, <b>Occupational Therapist,</b> and <b>Photographer</b>.<br />
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There were a few other interesting options in my search at the time including: <b>Commercial Artist</b>, <b>Performing Artist</b>, <b>Public </b><br />
<b>Relations</b> <b>Worker</b>, and <b>Recreation Worker.</b><br />
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Looking back at these job titles today (nearly 40 years later) it's amazing to think of the many skills it takes to do any one of these jobs well and the preparation needed to develop those skills.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyn5MPpZKDCHF2aMK9LfJ1xIADp9dJJBUS6VZf1f6YGYOh-aWdZsbZYS2yx5vKNyRCrPps7I4__NuJUuRiS7TRaeMUEIY_iGheqyWOI6zQcDSW9gN0A0nfQ1MABVP9v1_hE9RQ/s1600/Job_Title_search.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyn5MPpZKDCHF2aMK9LfJ1xIADp9dJJBUS6VZf1f6YGYOh-aWdZsbZYS2yx5vKNyRCrPps7I4__NuJUuRiS7TRaeMUEIY_iGheqyWOI6zQcDSW9gN0A0nfQ1MABVP9v1_hE9RQ/s1600/Job_Title_search.png" height="171" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Job Title Search circa 1976</span></td></tr>
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What's not surprising are the job titles that existed then versus those that exist today. Which brings me back to that question of articulating what I want to do when I grow up.<br />
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With all the different resources available to HR directors and job seekers today I was stunned to find a set of powerful career development technology tools that help workers identify their skills and abilities. It also helps them find the titles of jobs they may be qualified for and interested in pursuing.<br />
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Where is this tool? You can find it online with the <a href="http://www.edd.ca.gov/" target="_blank">California Employment Development Department's</a> "<b><a href="http://www.edd.ca.gov/Jobs_and_Training/Caljobs.htm" target="_blank">CalJobs</a>"</b> website.<br />
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I won't go through all the details but there are two very specific tools in this system that are fabulously helpful for anyone thinking about their work and wanting to improve their career.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkAoJJLtdzUDN1ILUVE3jrvjSq0QHXRopHMUDGEvQlOtWOZ8G3aj42RZ0n5x2y-KR4sjWXDfeUZfLZZH_PsTls340_eoE1Qs0yChuIR0_3D4x_LvAdI2JKY3ekM9vkCaKPOCR/s1600/Things_Brad_Can_Do.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijkAoJJLtdzUDN1ILUVE3jrvjSq0QHXRopHMUDGEvQlOtWOZ8G3aj42RZ0n5x2y-KR4sjWXDfeUZfLZZH_PsTls340_eoE1Qs0yChuIR0_3D4x_LvAdI2JKY3ekM9vkCaKPOCR/s1600/Things_Brad_Can_Do.jpg" height="200" width="154" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Things Brad Can Do!</span></td></tr>
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At <b><a href="http://www.edd.ca.gov/Jobs_and_Training/Caljobs.htm" target="_blank">CalJobs</a></b> users build their resume using online tools that have 19 different steps. It may seem unnecessary for people who already have a resume, but once the process is complete this system magically presents jobseekers with a list of their likely skills.<br />
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These are very specific abilities that, for me, included: public speaking techniques; work as a team member; write administrative procedures services manual; use project management techniques; use computer networking technology; provide technical computer training; prepare cost estimates; plan meetings and conferences; make decisions; distinguish details in graphic arts material; edit video scenes; and another 116 possible skills.<br />
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Wow! Who knew that there were 127 specific things I could do for someone looking for a skilled professional?<br />
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Granted this is just a list, it doesn't say how much experience I have with any of these skills or how well I might do any of these activities. However, as someone looking to identify the job I want this was crucial information. This tool also gives me a strong set of words to use as I describe for people what I want to do and where I am focusing my search for a new career.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApIZ8Teo79PmfDX9dbo7SSxXm5wq5W3Cfnngw6Eme86wl_b03O2P5mmU7mqdYu-kpYDJtK9LlPeNn6j_qyyPSuil5dG44B-Cpz6lYr9BoOvBFWwOshpjwhlq6gjDTcHf1WWh2/s1600/Occupation_list.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhApIZ8Teo79PmfDX9dbo7SSxXm5wq5W3Cfnngw6Eme86wl_b03O2P5mmU7mqdYu-kpYDJtK9LlPeNn6j_qyyPSuil5dG44B-Cpz6lYr9BoOvBFWwOshpjwhlq6gjDTcHf1WWh2/s1600/Occupation_list.png" height="200" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Occupation listing</span></td></tr>
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The other powerful tool in the <a href="http://www.edd.ca.gov/Jobs_and_Training/Caljobs.htm" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">CalJobs</a> system is the database of "Occupation Listings." Part of the process requires users to choose an occupation they are seeking. The list is fascinating when compared to the one I was required to use back in 1976. The <b><a href="http://www.edd.ca.gov/Jobs_and_Training/Caljobs.htm" target="_blank">CalJobs</a></b> list is also fascinating for what job titles it does NOT include.<br />
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I've spent a good amount of time in my career teaching students, parents, educators, and administrators about the fact that we are often preparing students for jobs that haven't even been invented yet. Using <b><a href="http://www.edd.ca.gov/Jobs_and_Training/Caljobs.htm" target="_blank">CalJobs</a></b> I've learned that my job for the past 17 years (<b>Director of Technology</b>) doesn't exist in their list of possible occupations.<br />
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Obviously not a lot of people have had this job yet.<br />
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I suppose I can feel fortunate in that I've been on the cutting edge of technology in education but I do know it can be problematic to tell someone you were a <b>Director of Technology</b> and their response is "what is that?"<br />
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Thankfully, the system provided an occupation I could use: "<b>Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School</b>." Seems like that occupation type combined with the actual title (<b>Director of Technology</b>) should get me past the initial confusion some people may have about my previous work.<br />
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So the process continues and I get closer to knowing what I want to do and what's out there as a possible career. The truth is there are many jobs I would do well in and the real questions are: what will make me happy, and what will allow me to earn enough money to provide for myself and my family?<br />
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One of the most astonishing items on my list of skills was "<b>create art from ideas</b>." While I absolutely love this phrase and wonder how I can find a job doing THAT, I am also realistic that there are even fewer people getting paid to create art from ideas then there are people doing technology administration in schools.<br />
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Trying to create a job from ideas is a great challenge. I am happy to know that the State of California has developed these powerful tools for job seekers. To me this is one of the best examples of our tax dollars well spent.<br />
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Now, if I can only get someone to speak with me about changing the time of this "notification of benefits eligibility interview . . . "<br />
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Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-41158966961061024422014-11-06T22:00:00.001-08:002015-01-14T13:15:08.060-08:00Ain't No Sunshine When Taylor Swift Is Gone From Spotify<div class="tr_bq">
I remember the day in May 2003 when Marley came into the computer lab in Founders Hall. "Did you hear the news?" I asked him. "What news?" Marley asked. "You didn't hear that Apple sold it's <a href="https://www.apple.com/pr/library/2003/05/05iTunes-Music-Store-Sells-Over-One-Million-Songs-in-First-Week.html" target="_blank">one millionth song</a> on the iTunes store today?"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLcuqEZ8qws_CBl7jDDBiXoduY4DrsiSOCV00-A8zdLhGv19bTMH2HcRcTylLaJ2PnOVp9M4aJNOz_TozCq0oJhexgjolL7vGdpcb7Np1mbjjvqBiFIt00JALXu8pyzNhgT7L/s1600/napter_main_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLcuqEZ8qws_CBl7jDDBiXoduY4DrsiSOCV00-A8zdLhGv19bTMH2HcRcTylLaJ2PnOVp9M4aJNOz_TozCq0oJhexgjolL7vGdpcb7Np1mbjjvqBiFIt00JALXu8pyzNhgT7L/s1600/napter_main_logo.jpg" height="151" width="200" /></a>Like many of his classmates in those days Marley loved the <b>Napster</b> software people used to download any song they wanted without paying. As a school technology administrator I battled students who installed the software on our network and used it to share and download files.<br />
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Marley was a musician. We had long conversations about what it would be like when he grew up and tried to make a living selling his music.</div>
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Little did we know Apple wouldn't just clean up the Napster mess, they figuratively knocked it out of the ballpark.<br />
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“Hitting one million songs in less than a week was totally unexpected,” said Roger Ames, Warner Music Group’s chairman and CEO. “Apple has shown music fans, artists and the music industry as a whole that there really is a successful and easy way of legally distributing music over the Internet.”<span style="background-color: transparent;"> </span></blockquote>
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“Our internal measure of success was having the iTunes Music Store sell one million songs in the first month. To do this in one week is an over-the-top success,” said Doug Morris, Universal Music Group’s CEO. “Apple definitely got it right with the iTunes Music Store.”</blockquote>
And the music business rode the wave all the way to the bank. In less than 10 years Apple reached <a href="http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1538108/itunes-crosses-25-billion-songs-sold-now-sells-21-million-songs-a-day" target="_blank">25 billion songs sold</a> by then selling over 21 million songs a day, churning out numbers that sounded more like the marketing cry of a fading hamburger chain.<br />
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Meanwhile Metallica and Dr. Dre took the battle against pirating music to the American people and courts and plenty of people were complaining about digital rights management and how much Apple makes off of their sales.<br />
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One friend told me he bought the albums, then he bought the CDs, but he will not fork out another penny to purchase the third copy as a digital download.<br />
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All this confusion clouds the biggest change in music toward streaming services. Despite the big numbers of digital downloads streaming music is on the rise. <b>Rolling Stone</b> reported this week that album sales are down and single track sales are down, but paid subscriptions services rose 57% last year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUSc9XDS2JxPbFmsKWPLcU6dNhJfxjAOaND7Ez9LQseH1n0Dn1VHvDb3mf3lhwBYZGAu1_XMomG8Kh2G0YNnjbS0Ayx5YsOeYPybS93KFZUG21m4loo8iiyE9hZ1Ij59TLR7X/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-04+at+10.07.13+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXUSc9XDS2JxPbFmsKWPLcU6dNhJfxjAOaND7Ez9LQseH1n0Dn1VHvDb3mf3lhwBYZGAu1_XMomG8Kh2G0YNnjbS0Ayx5YsOeYPybS93KFZUG21m4loo8iiyE9hZ1Ij59TLR7X/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-11-04+at+10.07.13+PM.png" /></a>Meanwhile, <b>Napster</b> has morphed over the years and is now joined by the <b>Pandora's</b>, <b>Spotify's</b>, and <b>Rhapsody's</b> of today's online music world offering free and subscription based streaming music services. In the battle for ears and subscriptions Rhapsody <a href="http://www.techhive.com/article/241114/rhapsody_buys_napster_as_it_battles_spotify.html" target="_blank">acquired Napster in 2011</a> to compete with industry leader <b>Spotify</b>.<br />
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But <b>Taylor Swift </b>seems to think these music services are not giving the artists their fair share so she decided to pull her <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/taylor-swift-abruptly-pulls-entire-catalog-from-spotify-20141103" target="_blank">entire music catalog from Spotify</a> this week. Swift is just the latest in a line of musicians to <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/spotify-responds-to-criticism-from-thom-yorke-and-nigel-godrich-20130715" target="_blank">criticize Spotify</a> saying they don't operate in the best interest of artists.<br />
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While Spotify went public literally begging Swift to come back, music lovers are left once again wondering what they should do.<br />
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Young people don't see the need to support the concept of paying for recorded music and the <b>YouTube generation</b> would rather spend their time listening to their own for free.<br />
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I contacted Marley and found out he's now working for Rhapsody/Napster in the San Francisco Bay Area. Could it be he was right all along? Do musicians need to find a way to make money other than through their recorded music? The <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/11/26/deadhead" target="_blank"><b>Grateful Dead</b></a> found a way to do that through their concert tours.<br />
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Or, is it simply that the technology has advanced in such away that the added features of streaming music have changed users tastes and patterns to the point that they no longer want to have a pile of records to play preferring instead to have access to any song at all times and in any place they want to listen?<br />
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I believe there is a change in the wind but it is still not settled. Recently I had the pleasure to see the new film <b><a href="http://takemetotheriver.livingfilm.com/watch" target="_blank">Take Me To The River</a></b> about the history of the Memphis blues music scene. In the film classic blues musicians came together with some of today's top rap and hip hop artists to learn from each other and record music mashups of some of the greatest songs of the modern music era.<br />
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Take a look at this clip of Bobby "Blue" Bland and Yo Gotti performing Bill Withers' "<b>Ain't No Sunshine</b>."<br />
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We are in a time in between then (before all this technology) and an unknown future. We will always have artists and their work will only get better. <b>Take Me To The River</b> is an example of bringing together the beauty and wonder of the past with the best and brightest of today's young artists who embrace the technology while respecting the past.<br />
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To me that shows there is hope for the future whether or not you can listen to Taylor Swift on <b>Spotify</b>.<br />
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F3.bp.blogspot.com%2F-c3VWhaprRa4%2FVFm3hTbh-HI%2FAAAAAAAAAUI%2F7U7lpG0HyMU%2Fs1600%2Fnapter_main_logo.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLcuqEZ8qws_CBl7jDDBiXoduY4DrsiSOCV00-A8zdLhGv19bTMH2HcRcTylLaJ2PnOVp9M4aJNOz_TozCq0oJhexgjolL7vGdpcb7Np1mbjjvqBiFIt00JALXu8pyzNhgT7L/s1600/napter_main_logo.jpg" -->Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-27204933177828535192014-08-25T23:31:00.000-07:002014-08-25T23:34:58.042-07:00Thinking About the ALS Bucket Challenge of 2014The ALS bucket challenge is an interesting phenomenon. On the one hand it's a great way to generate interest and money for the cause of caring for the stricken and finding a cure.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Rabbi Yisrael Rice did a little Torah <br />and then the bucket challenge.</span></td></tr>
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On the other hand it's another good example of how technology allows us to step out of our comfort zone and easily do something we wouldn't normally do online. I think of this as an opportunity to go beyond the selfie still picture and add a video component.<br />
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Beyond the celebrity bucket challenges the phenomenon now includes YouTube videos of bucket challenges gone wrong. Recently I viewed an odd "lowlight" reel of people getting clocked on the head by a bucket dump gone bad. I suppose people are drawn to the sideshow that this story has become.<br />
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Sadly, four firefighters <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=newssearch&cd=1&ved=0CB0QqQIoADAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2014%2F08%2F21%2Fus%2Ffirefighters-ice-bucket-challenge%2F&ei=fiP8U7fRCI2uogTh14K4BA&usg=AFQjCNEVyxi8gpFOdLDiNkhXSp1t5QVnnw&sig2=iopaxA8Ws4k2rH51dM5c-g" target="_blank">were badly injured in an electrocution</a> that occurred when two of them went up in a fire truck bucket and got too close to electrical wires with a large cache of water.<br />
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It all makes me wonder why people so easily forget the idea of thinking before doing something. As educators we are often teaching our students to think before they print. We ask them to think before they post. Why aren't we listening now?<br />
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It's not that I don't agree with the concept of raising money for research and awareness about ALS. I just feel like it's an idea gone too far now.<br />
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I do have one favorite video that I think is a good example of a teachable moment. Rabbi Yisrael Rice in Marin County gives a little "drash" of Torah about why the bucket challenge is a good thing because it takes us out of that comfort zone or bubble we all live in each day. Doing this crazy act and posting it online allows us to do something we would never do and that can be liberating as well as helpful to others. I think it's nice that Rabbi Rice turned this into a teachable moment.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ixvd2tqfYHIcNYPeed73tdbdYa7V4I-k9I5B3KmExfg81jts_2VaujvLUu8nbOHE8SQnOEKNTDV_W54a66ZDBMK0CLvvU5xOuWyMd0c3Fm-VAvAxqaHZENCx3h-Yqrm_hYB8/s1600/JoeBrad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ixvd2tqfYHIcNYPeed73tdbdYa7V4I-k9I5B3KmExfg81jts_2VaujvLUu8nbOHE8SQnOEKNTDV_W54a66ZDBMK0CLvvU5xOuWyMd0c3Fm-VAvAxqaHZENCx3h-Yqrm_hYB8/s1600/JoeBrad.jpg" height="133" width="200" /></a><br />
For me the whole thing sits very close to home and the fact that one of my best friends, Joe Babin, died of ALS in December 2012. I just don't see the point of all the fun and games.<br />
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We know what this disease is all about and what it will take to fix the problem. Why don't we just get down to doing that?<br />
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In the meantime I'm going to challenge everyone to use the technology to help us all remember those who were impacted and continue to be impacted by this disease. This will help us personalize the issue and focus on caring for the sick and their caretakers, and someday with finding the cure.<br />
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Let's all do something if we can.<br />
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<br />Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-61570436020711508432014-08-17T10:20:00.000-07:002014-08-17T17:56:39.966-07:00Viv - Global Brain or Gold Digger?This week a silicon valley start up <a href="http://viv.ai/" target="_blank"><b>Viv Labs</b></a> announced their new artificially intelligent digital assistant Viv. While the former Apple engineers (who helped develop <a href="http://www.apple.com/ios/siri/" target="_blank">Apple's Siri</a>) launched a media blitz to announce Viv it's interesting to me that their website has very little information about this new product.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-7Lc3z5JnCQ6jkSbrj8pc9h_hPcARy0ZOgy_2shX0AkrowyyR5xoYpf1NCuMRCXLRPWZco-rVLYcZl-a5S1FlQpBGOF5d9odu7ysy9euK8ilAdZsFGuvANmfIW03ecyZddqc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-17+at+9.41.41+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-7Lc3z5JnCQ6jkSbrj8pc9h_hPcARy0ZOgy_2shX0AkrowyyR5xoYpf1NCuMRCXLRPWZco-rVLYcZl-a5S1FlQpBGOF5d9odu7ysy9euK8ilAdZsFGuvANmfIW03ecyZddqc/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-08-17+at+9.41.41+AM.png" height="264" width="320" /></a>They link to a <a href="http://www.wired.com/2014/08/viv/" target="_blank"><b>Wired Magazine article</b></a> about Viv for visitors to "learn more about Viv's team, technology, and vision.<br />
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It's a bit striking that a digital product like this would have so little promotional material. After all, if you have a vision, why don't you share it? Why have someone else deliver that information? I've worked in advertising and PR and I know what it takes to get your message out. Most successful PR campaigns are driven by the vision of the company and not by the press.<br />
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They have a nice tag line: "The Global Brain - Viv radically simplifies the world by providing an intelligent interface to everything." However, what does that really mean?<br />
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Perhaps the reason why there is so little information is that Viv Labs doesn't want people to know what they are trying to accomplish. In my view this is where the technology industry often fails.<br />
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In an <a href="http://www.npr.org/2014/08/12/339753023/meet-viv-a-more-complex-siri" target="_blank">NPR interview</a> with Wired Magazine writer Steven Levy, Viv is described as "a more complex Siri." That seems more realistic to me. Levy describes the potential of this new digital assistant by talking about how you could use Viv on the way to a dinner party to help you find the best bottle of wine to pair with the menu. Viv can access store information, locations, and available supplies of products. Viv accesses the contact information on your phone and begins to collect information about your interests, habits, lifestyle and so forth.<br />
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There it is, e-commerce is the goal of Viv. "They are going to make money . . . not so much by serving you ads, but in taking a cut in all the transactions you are going to make" using Viv. The more Viv knows about you, the better Viv can "assist you" in your daily life -- and purchases.<br />
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I believe it'a about time technology companies begin to say exactly what they are doing with the development of their products. Viv is not a global brain. It's a way for people to use technology to find the best deal on the best products they are looking to purchase.<br />
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<br />Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-91718371118832593802014-03-31T23:16:00.000-07:002014-03-31T23:18:38.416-07:00Giving Sir Ken a Revolutionary Lesson<b><a href="http://novemberlearning.com/" target="_blank">Alan November</a></b> was in town this week for some events hosted by the <b><a href="http://www.kentfieldschools.org/" target="_blank">Kentfield Schools</a></b> and the <b><a href="htt:////parenteducationgroupofmarin.blogspot.com/%E2%80%8E" target="_blank">Marin Parent Education Group</a></b>.<b> </b>He shared with us some of his thoughts on a wide range of new technologies in learning.<br />
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One of his most interesting lessons incorporated <b><a href="http://www.googleguide.com/advanced_operators_reference.html" target="_blank">Google Operators</a></b> for effective ways to conduct pinpoint accurate Internet searches.<br />
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<b>November</b> used the real world example of an American high school history class researching the difference between the way we teach about the American revolution and the way British schools teach it. More about this in a minute.<br />
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As luck would have it this weekend I happened upon a <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_bring_on_the_revolution#t-350592" target="_blank">2010 TED talk</a> by<b><a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_bring_on_the_revolution#t-350592" target="_blank"> Sir Ken Robinson</a></b>.<br />
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Being viewer number 4, 721,516, I was aware of the fact that Sir Ken is an important speaker for a variety of movements intended to impact, change, and even revolutionize education.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzy0dTabaEsZDFGzp8kljM3mfZX24I9fDIr5kurrbkECRVPppRLUFo15gFH1odSMsWWIZVTQ1YUSqh_8C4mWtAJePe7-9OZrjpIbK_I296qgOX6QUkJpehBezF8DJ05QKBNm_/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-30+at+8.26.34+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzy0dTabaEsZDFGzp8kljM3mfZX24I9fDIr5kurrbkECRVPppRLUFo15gFH1odSMsWWIZVTQ1YUSqh_8C4mWtAJePe7-9OZrjpIbK_I296qgOX6QUkJpehBezF8DJ05QKBNm_/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-30+at+8.26.34+AM.png" height="210" width="320" /></a>Most of what I get from Sir Ken's talks is a call for a more kind and gentle educational system. I believe he wants a system that differentiates learning and takes into account the variety of abilities learners bring to the process.<br />
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However, near the end of this talk, Sir Ken also explicitly states the integration of technology is critical to the success of any attempt to revolutionize education.<br />
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"In this room, there are people who represent extraordinary resources in business, in multimedia, in the Internet. These technologies combined with extraordinary talents of teachers, provide an opportunity to revolutionize education. And I urge you to get involved because it's vital not just to ourselves but to the future of our children."<br />
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Earlier in this revolutionary call for educational change Sir Ken states:<br />
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"One of the real challenges is to innovate fundamentally in education. Innovation is hard . . . it means challenging what we take for granted . . . things that we think are obvious. The great problem for reform or transformation is the tyranny of common sense. Things that people think, well, they can't be done any other way because that's the way it's done." <br />
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To make his point Sir Ken tells the audience that he came across a great a quote from Abraham Lincoln who said change was necessary and important at the time.<br />
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He quoted Lincoln who said:<br />
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“The dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think anew and act anew. We must disenthrall ourselves, and then we shall save our country.”<br />
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Sir Ken states "I ought to explain that I have no idea what was happening at the time. We don't teach American history in Britain. We suppress it. So no doubt something fascinating was happening in December 1862."<br />
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To me this comic interlude that got the audience laughing seemed like an odd statement. It got me thinking that maybe Sir Ken actually should know what was going on at the time of Lincoln's speech. What exactly was Lincoln talking about and why was it so important?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Project Gutenberg <br />Mobile Site</span></td></tr>
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So I went to the <b>Google Operators</b> Alan November taught me and started searching. In no time I had downloaded the <b>Papers and Writings of Abraham Lincoln</b> from <a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/" target="_blank"><b>Project Gutenberg</b></a>.<br />
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<b>Project Gutenberg</b> was the first online e-Book provider. All their resources are available free. I was able to download the complete writings of Abraham Lincoln. Once I got it into my e-Book reader, I was able to search for the quote Sir Ken read to his audience back in 2010.<br />
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Nearly nine score years earlier Lincoln was addressing the United States Congress during a time of Civil War in America. In the first few pages of the speech Lincoln states:<br />
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“The treaty with Great Britain for the suppression of the slave trade has been put into operation with a good prospect of complete success. It is an occasion of special pleasure to acknowledge that the execution of it on the part of her Majesty's government has been marked with a jealous respect for the authority of the United States and the rights of their moral and loyal citizens.”<br />
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It seems to me that the suppression of this information was merely a convenience in order to use the other quote to make Sir Ken's point about change in modern times. While this point is a right and good one, I suspect that it's most probably just another example of how history tends to be used only when it's convenient to the argument one is trying to win.<br />
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Today I came across an <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2588883/Uni-Alabama-white-sororities-win-right-remain-racist-rejecting-two-applicants-black.html" target="_blank">item on my Facebook timeline</a> talking about students at the University of Alabama who defeated an attempt to integrate white only sororities.<br />
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In my mind Lincoln is one of the greatest people that every lived. Not only was he a fantastic writer and orator, more importantly, he was able to predict the future. With his words he told US, the people of today and the people of tomorrow, what we needed to know to make this world a better place.<br />
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Unfortunately, despite the existence of the most powerful information technologies of all time, we the people, continue to fall short of what Lincoln hoped we would become.<br />
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I wished Sir Ken would have read the end of Lincoln's speech which he closes by saying:<br />
<br />
“Fellow-citizens, we can not escape history. We of this Congress and this administration will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance or insignificance can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass will light us down in honor or dishonor to the latest generation. We say we are for the Union. The world will not forget that we say this. We know how to save the Union. The world knows we do know how to save it. We, even we here, hold the power and bear the responsibility. In giving freedom to the slave we assure freedom to the free—honorable alike in what we give and what we preserve. We shall nobly save or meanly lose the last, best hope of earth. Other means may succeed; this could not fail. The way is plain, peaceful, generous, just—a way which if followed the world will forever applaud and God must forever bless.”<br />
<br />
We do need a better educational system. We must make sure it is a system that remembers the past and teaches about it to the people of the future. That is the kind and gentle educational system we need.<br />
<br />
<br />Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-84519150578693908332013-12-11T22:20:00.002-08:002013-12-11T22:23:41.051-08:00Flip Flopping on Flipped LearningIn March 2012 I wrote about <b><a href="http://communicateyourideas.blogspot.com/2012/03/flipped-out-over-flipped-classrooms.html" target="_blank">Flipped Classrooms</a></b>. Here is a brief update to that material:<br />
<br />
<b>December 11, 2013 Update</b><br />
Mixed news today on the MOOC front. The NY Times reports on how <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/11/us/after-setbacks-online-courses-are-rethought.html" target="_blank">MOOCs "flopped" at California State University, San Jose</a>. The Times reported on a <a href="http://www.gse.upenn.edu/pressroom/press-releases/2013/12/penn-gse-study-shows-moocs-have-relatively-few-active-users-only-few-persisti" target="_blank">University of Pennsylvania Graduate School for Education report</a>
that shows a very small percentage of students ever complete these
massive online courses. The Times goes on to say that San Jose
State experimented with smaller online courses and personal mentors
designed to increase participation but this had little impact.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, the <b><a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/" target="_blank">PBS NewsHour</a> </b>profiled Detroit area high school <a href="http://www.clintondalevirtualschool.com/" target="_blank">Clintondale</a> this evening in a piece on <a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/american-graduate/july-dec13/flipped_12-11.html" target="_blank">flipped classrooms</a>. The <b>NewsHour</b> included an interview with Justin Reich, a professor with the <a href="http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/" target="_blank"><b>Harvard University Berkman Center for Internet and Society</b></a>.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1C-_X7MqBaIHNOp5Av7-ECqTETLYfcp2jgNr2u5bMZKc3nUmcA_zrdHmUevCRXb_ZciUESfdne2KnUQ1yeGDgUv2Bm8mPk2WTP2JHItsqodF9_IKfsuQI5qjr6o_sxQdKq7IY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-12-11+at+9.54.38+PM.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="35" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1C-_X7MqBaIHNOp5Av7-ECqTETLYfcp2jgNr2u5bMZKc3nUmcA_zrdHmUevCRXb_ZciUESfdne2KnUQ1yeGDgUv2Bm8mPk2WTP2JHItsqodF9_IKfsuQI5qjr6o_sxQdKq7IY/s200/Screen+Shot+2013-12-11+at+9.54.38+PM.png" width="200" /></a><br />
Reich
was clear that the power of online learning is directly related to the
connection between teachers and students and the curriculum in the
classroom:<br />
<br />
"What is exciting to me about the flipped
classroom" says Reich, "is that it gets teachers asking two really
important fundamental questions:<br />
<br />
'What are the best ways for me to use my time, especially the very precious time I have in classrooms with my students?' <br />
<br />
and then,<br />
<br />
'What are the kinds of direct instruction that I can provide that could be digitized so that people can watch it again?'"<br />
<br />
However,
Reich adds: "If what we see from the flipped classroom is that we take
bad lectures and uninteresting worksheet problems . . . and we simply
flip the order of those two things the odds that we see significant
improvement in our schools is pretty low."Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-81294654126365848222013-11-03T22:18:00.000-08:002015-04-19T21:04:54.254-07:00Picture This: The End of PhotographyIt's over. Photography is dead. You heard it here first.<br />
<br />
Actually, you might have heard about this three years ago if you attended the symposium "<a href="http://www.sfmoma.org/about/research_projects/research_projects_photography_over" target="_blank">Is Photography Over?</a>" in April 2010 at the <b>San Francisco Museum of Modern Art</b>. On the <b>Canon Digital Photography Forums</b> the <a href="http://communicateyourideas.blogspot.com/2011/03/end-of-more-than-era-say-goodbye-to.html" target="_blank">death of photography</a> was announced in February of 2012. In May 2013 the <b>Small Camera Big Picture</b> blog asked the question: "<a href="http://www.smallcamerabigpicture.com/is-professional-photography-as-we-know-it-dead/" target="_blank">Is Professional Photography Dead?</a>"<br />
<br />
<a href="http://fstoppers.com/author/aaron-l" target="_blank">Aaron Lindberg</a> starts his September 2, 2013 <a href="http://fstoppers.com/photography-is-dead" target="_blank">fstoppers article</a> with the same question. In response to the growing army of photographers lamenting the end of
their professional craft at the hands of wannabe photogs armed with $800
Canon and Nikon DSLR cameras, Lindberg ultimately implores pros to "take down a large client you never thought you could" as a way for professionals to stay successful in the business.<br />
<br />
Really? I can do that?<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_oBAPqqF8tdHu-EYaBL4Xw384e2g4ApYeuSjgzPyNv14B5zl3P3N0nRbS_SRDTmhftctrc63bdSXwfv35YMneI9J_9sWcETCHP5Rk52URXGsUPmFNT3JyTLNpEjMSN386KUm/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-02+at+3.23.36+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG_oBAPqqF8tdHu-EYaBL4Xw384e2g4ApYeuSjgzPyNv14B5zl3P3N0nRbS_SRDTmhftctrc63bdSXwfv35YMneI9J_9sWcETCHP5Rk52URXGsUPmFNT3JyTLNpEjMSN386KUm/s200/Screen+Shot+2013-11-02+at+3.23.36+PM.png" height="72" width="200" /></a>The signs of the demise of photography are evident. Eastman Kodak Co. announced this week that it's stock would start <a href="http://www.kodak.com/ek/US/en/Kodak_to_List_Common_Stock_on_New_York_Stock_Exchange.htm" target="_blank">trading on the New York Stock Exchange</a>. Emerging from bankruptcy the venerable photo company heralded their phoenix rising with a shiny new business model as a "global technology company offering breakthrough solutions and professional services in the packaging, graphic communications and functional printing markets."<br />
<br />
Perhaps the end of photography is at hand.<br />
<br />
Looking at the data it would seem the death of photography has been greatly exaggerated.<br />
<br />
In an <b>ABC News</b> <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/making-images-picture-perfect-20734559?tab=9482930&section=1206853&playlist=20664440" target="_blank">piece on digital photography</a> aired in October, John Donvan reported 850 billion photos are taken every year now. Check this <b>Overgram</b> <a href="http://overgram.co/mobile-photography.html" target="_blank">infographic</a> for more on the history of photography and some data on the increase of the number of pictures taken throughout the years.<br />
<br />
Perhaps it is the end of <b>professional photography</b> we're talking about here. <br />
<br />
The <a href="http://littlebirdlittlebee.com/2013/04/11/why-i-think-photography-is-dead/" target="_blank">LittleBirdLittleBee</a> says that Lindberg is wrong. "I think photography is a cassette tape" says Little Bee. "And it's had it's day. I think I bailed at the exact right time. I am thankful every day that I'm not still pushing against that tide."<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvGIpFJV8noAT452ptzT5vaoaYz1PWD_rDqhCFPeoJOfKeJftO7BsXsfMRgRlz9z-Xu0uNhj5Cn_V1cXLeOmw_WFNqZXPWI5GSNCrvvxuiqbwzLJ4Nx_cu1t2_g1m18wnWGJt/s1600/ArmstrongRedwoods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvGIpFJV8noAT452ptzT5vaoaYz1PWD_rDqhCFPeoJOfKeJftO7BsXsfMRgRlz9z-Xu0uNhj5Cn_V1cXLeOmw_WFNqZXPWI5GSNCrvvxuiqbwzLJ4Nx_cu1t2_g1m18wnWGJt/s320/ArmstrongRedwoods.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Armstrong Redwoods State Park</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It feels a bit like the pros are doing a lot of griping while the rest of us are having a field day with our smart phones and cheap DSLR cameras that take amazing pictures with very little training, technical skills, or artistic ability.<br />
<br />
Life on <b>Tumblr</b>, <b>Pinterest</b>, <b>Instagram</b>, and <b>Facebook</b> couldn't be any better for us amateurs.<br />
<br />
Back at the <b>SFMOMA</b> <a href="http://www.sfmoma.org/about/research_projects/research_projects_photography_over" target="_blank">2010 symposium</a> you will hear a lot of discussion about the end of the art of photography. With so much digital photography and all the ways in which we consume it, some are asking why should museums present photography as an art form any more?<br />
<br />
Panelists devote quite a lot of their discussion to the history of photography and they raise questions about whether photography can be considered an art form today given the nature of the field in relation to the changes in technology and the expansion of high quality camera equipment to the masses.<br />
<br />
Some of the most interesting discussion centered on what photographers did with their cameras and the types of images they created in the early days. This was a visual art form more than 60 years before Photoshop.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaSrdRrOETNwsYdNjwnOHRrRbYaMGNH59rtEP5I_63GJXKD3peS2Bb5sLGYdQwFpfxL0cJDw559s-LYo0ruRQThVtipzWwZU6CytnowC5lF8GnNKeK00B-LmI2eWYNXxZ88Oy/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-11-02+at+2.22.51+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVaSrdRrOETNwsYdNjwnOHRrRbYaMGNH59rtEP5I_63GJXKD3peS2Bb5sLGYdQwFpfxL0cJDw559s-LYo0ruRQThVtipzWwZU6CytnowC5lF8GnNKeK00B-LmI2eWYNXxZ88Oy/s200/Screen+Shot+2013-11-02+at+2.22.51+PM.png" height="155" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Melies colorized "Trip To The Moon"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Much of the debate looked at the intersection between film, video, and photography and how the lines are being blurred as the new technology allows for both video and still photography even on your own smart phone.<br />
<br />
The 2011 <b>Martin Scorsese</b> film <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR-kP-olcpM" target="_blank"><b>Hugo</b></a> brought one of the great artist to light <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/28/entertainment/la-et-georges-melies-20111128" target="_blank">for a new generation</a>. <b>George Méliés's</b> films were more photographic art then they were movies. His film images were created using large art pieces he created and arranged with his actors in front of his camera.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDNTi1Wc3J2A0Ijo2JUkRV1V_vKOc1fkSmFzoUhjhBJj3EHc-rqyxCW9PgsTHqw641jCyv_R_GMm62yOfsBXesuZQc8Di193D8xU4Kjowzqh5gwmyn-KC7PB15QyoryZGekSB/s1600/DzigaVertov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZDNTi1Wc3J2A0Ijo2JUkRV1V_vKOc1fkSmFzoUhjhBJj3EHc-rqyxCW9PgsTHqw641jCyv_R_GMm62yOfsBXesuZQc8Di193D8xU4Kjowzqh5gwmyn-KC7PB15QyoryZGekSB/s200/DzigaVertov.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Dziga Vertov's Man With A Movie Camera</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Dziga Vertov</b> is another early filmmaker who worked visual magic with his camera. Blurring the lines between documentary and propaganda for his Communist backers, Vertov also tried to create films built on fantastic photographic imagry -- more as art than narrative film.<br />
<br />
Let's be realistic about this. In today's world photography has changed. For the better, and for some, it's for the worse. I know photographers who spent more than 20 years in the craft who gave it all up and never looked back. I know filmmakers who never learned non-linear digital editing and became unemployable almost over night.<br />
<br />
Does that mean we are talking about the end of <b>photography as an art</b> <b>form</b> AND the end of <b>professional photography</b> as we know it?<br />
<br />
I believe the debate is still going on these questions.<br />
<br />
What is true is that the way we create, manipulate, and consume imagery is changing before our very eyes. Literally. Some of this change in technology is based on the needs and wants of the consumer.<br />
<br />
When my son was born digital photography was in its infancy. The first consumer level digital camera capable of connecting to a personal computer came out the year before he was born. This was about ten years before YouTube was created so people were not easily posting videos online.<br />
<br />
However, the ability to capture still frames from video recordings made it possible for me to capture these images and post them on the web as part of a site I called "<b>Noah on the Net</b>."<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUKJpZxGsJX879K3NQKHiRkDONEuCWiXUwac7maf7NFEuuOZ7FthRjl-dfs5WmVNd7eZD3JClOBW2uBT1SWBLypGCHnEWcf7DfkVHqDLcHW4lie2gZzH0f9L5KKTIkDI2IFBo/s1600/noah.smile2.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUKJpZxGsJX879K3NQKHiRkDONEuCWiXUwac7maf7NFEuuOZ7FthRjl-dfs5WmVNd7eZD3JClOBW2uBT1SWBLypGCHnEWcf7DfkVHqDLcHW4lie2gZzH0f9L5KKTIkDI2IFBo/s1600/noah.smile2.gif" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhKQVgXK2KS1Xw0jia7i2q5T3oBf3yF9CYTpn3JDp-wuSd5M4BCrD_rhKZQ4Y38nmJKCkyu0EiwqOkud771qo5-4DBGKJYyqJ_JPS2-6RpbkdqrJSanBtwit8vPAztiWpSA4m/s1600/noah.smile.emily.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVhKQVgXK2KS1Xw0jia7i2q5T3oBf3yF9CYTpn3JDp-wuSd5M4BCrD_rhKZQ4Y38nmJKCkyu0EiwqOkud771qo5-4DBGKJYyqJ_JPS2-6RpbkdqrJSanBtwit8vPAztiWpSA4m/s1600/noah.smile.emily.gif" /></a></div>
Not the most amazing quality when it comes to today's standards but the wow factor of putting pictures online for family and friends far and wide was pretty high.<br />
<br />
In fact, I continued to create digital photo collages for many years and began sending them to mailings lists that grew and became too difficult to manage. It's not surprising that this is one of the most popular aspects of social networking today. According to <a href="http://overgram.co/mobile-photography.html" target="_blank">Overgram</a>, 70% of Facebook activity is based on photography. That's 70% of more than one billion users!<br />
<br />
Let's get back to photography . . . or the end of it anyway. <br />
<br />
I wrote about the end of <a href="http://communicateyourideas.blogspot.com/2011/03/end-of-more-than-era-say-goodbye-to.html" target="_blank">Kodachrome</a>
in 2011 when Kodak assigned <b>National Geographic Photographer</b> Steve
McCurry to shoot the last roll of Kodachrome. That was two and a half years
and about three trillion photographs ago.<br />
<br />
It's clear to me that photography is booming. It's changing but it's not dying.<br />
<br />
It's never been a better time for photographers who want to practice their craft. For me, digital photography expanded my opportunities to capture my family history and daily fun in life. But it's also provided an amazing opportunity to be a <a href="http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/profile/5676/" target="_blank"><b>National Geographic</b></a> photographer. I took <a href="http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/644475/" target="_blank">this picture</a> in November 2008 which was selected as part of the Daily Dozen for the <b><a href="http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/" target="_blank">Your Shot</a></b> competition.<br />
<br />
So go ahead and smile. Photography is not over and you might just need to take a selfie because your Facebook cover photo needs updating. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-85154113864394878222013-10-28T22:13:00.001-07:002013-10-28T22:13:41.292-07:00Jewish Baseball Changes Lives, Builds Families, Creates CommunityIn the early 1940’s Simon Lakritz moved from the gritty streets of
Detroit to the wild west of Tucson, Arizona. His parents were divorced so he
traveled to the Southwest with his mom and siblings. Life was pretty
tough during those years. He had no friends, didn’t do well in school,
and he had no sense of what his future would hold.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERvtWWXCJp5dvZPfFOYyV5J6KwEG1jICm76CeO5QgH96YyjG98z8rUEV69-A4CF57FCVE8IHY6Lm_bcWn-RsdG5P7HICyBk12LGwdQQGAs7KeYpV3TN0PrkI2yjm2zqJLIZAa/s1600/AZA_Gang.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjERvtWWXCJp5dvZPfFOYyV5J6KwEG1jICm76CeO5QgH96YyjG98z8rUEV69-A4CF57FCVE8IHY6Lm_bcWn-RsdG5P7HICyBk12LGwdQQGAs7KeYpV3TN0PrkI2yjm2zqJLIZAa/s400/AZA_Gang.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Si Lakritz is far left in the back row.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
“In November 1945” Si wrote in his memoir, “my life took a decided turn for the best.” At age 15, Si had joined Tucson AZA Chapter 457.</div>
<br />This is when Si met his life long friends Larry Fishman, Harry Nadler, Jordan Zipren, and Buddy Jens. AZA Chapter 457 was to help him get through the awkward days of high school and ultimately into the University of Arizona. <br /><br />“There were several areas of interest in AZA” Si wrote, “including athletics, community service, and above all social events. It was a chance to be part of something.”<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7aLGMrbfRA1Ag6fpdiMehMCG04pGXmWKAQunYPCW-voxo5ERo4W8eIAV90ySzohQ3sscyCujPD8UQBu8OOizd-NIJVMvmpfZwzRcv4I4IjbnV6UhFyZiGdg1R-Ws5zcJ6LMM/s1600/AZA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH7aLGMrbfRA1Ag6fpdiMehMCG04pGXmWKAQunYPCW-voxo5ERo4W8eIAV90ySzohQ3sscyCujPD8UQBu8OOizd-NIJVMvmpfZwzRcv4I4IjbnV6UhFyZiGdg1R-Ws5zcJ6LMM/s200/AZA.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">AZA Chapter 457 Baseball team circa 1951.</span> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjsjssOS3R2Yp5heMsCKJmPabypcR1Yu5481uzXT8NWIJ-bQhdD8ChNwIaQaXVmrkQzWIoNOdSOjXniqIugNtpwy8o10D7p9WUNNJIDSB_sSELwv3IXXMHC52zzJ12LzdFjHi/s1600/Jeff_Brad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjsjssOS3R2Yp5heMsCKJmPabypcR1Yu5481uzXT8NWIJ-bQhdD8ChNwIaQaXVmrkQzWIoNOdSOjXniqIugNtpwy8o10D7p9WUNNJIDSB_sSELwv3IXXMHC52zzJ12LzdFjHi/s320/Jeff_Brad.jpg" width="86" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Jeff and Brad Lakritz</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
According to Si, the 1951 AZA Chapter 457 baseball team had a “murderer’s row” of hitters.<br />
<br />
On one particular day they swept a double header against the Al Jolson AZA Chapter taking the night cap 17 - 5. The Alephs were on their way to defending the Mountain Region championship they captured the year before. <br /><br />20 years later Si was my Little League coach during those same critical years of my youth. They were important times for me and my older brother Jeff who played on the same team.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51swD-8dx3NoQrSTj20WzAfFxUbJMlGRrWLT5VhzuW74KihPXxCefbeCRLdYGh-ZaWukTjHQPzrUSaBJ0NTA8lpFNLZ8mFhEiuUmpW9yJ6Uu87QtjEFpXFtUpJg8AKZhIRFiD/s1600/Coach_Si.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51swD-8dx3NoQrSTj20WzAfFxUbJMlGRrWLT5VhzuW74KihPXxCefbeCRLdYGh-ZaWukTjHQPzrUSaBJ0NTA8lpFNLZ8mFhEiuUmpW9yJ6Uu87QtjEFpXFtUpJg8AKZhIRFiD/s200/Coach_Si.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Coach Si Lakritz of the Hanford Little League Lions</span></td></tr>
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Father and sons together on the diamond brought many exciting moments including one season when we went: “From Last to First . . . Almost.” We tied for first with CVC but lost the league championship on a tiebreaker.<br />
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I am still friends with most of the people from both those teams more than forty years later.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVme8M8avqXp8Fc7PFtzp-FC5m4QRZwIvXnV1gTvsorOvEeQycCFZ5Ko6yLaA0KkIvZ582Fo3XP_lIm-P3BEhMuKRPt_swLm_YHPIg2dW0F9_MRV_g_yI5BOXxCGC6FpyBsHH/s1600/2644291293_77ef8604e8_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVme8M8avqXp8Fc7PFtzp-FC5m4QRZwIvXnV1gTvsorOvEeQycCFZ5Ko6yLaA0KkIvZ582Fo3XP_lIm-P3BEhMuKRPt_swLm_YHPIg2dW0F9_MRV_g_yI5BOXxCGC6FpyBsHH/s200/2644291293_77ef8604e8_o.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">DTLLL 2008 Major All Star Team</span></td></tr>
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I began my own official coaching career in 2004 with my son Noah. I coached his teams for six years from Little League to Babe Ruth including five all star and travel teams. What a wonderful experience we had together as father and son. The whole family had fun with those teams, the many exciting moments on the field, and all the trips to tournaments throughout Northern California. We met many of our good friends from all those games and tournaments and even the little league parade. Some of Noah’s best friends are from those experiences. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTW4zvuSH5LQS3IBrw0aKjqTS5egK97SjLhQ6_z_fXmHseaZi0j7_sAq2TRU7buheScVDak-NOrZWYbzfkMmQFHlZy7G2cCbfHgnP1RRcpGCow_L1U2pKz1PVW1p-fQrqy-glX/s1600/DSC_0295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTW4zvuSH5LQS3IBrw0aKjqTS5egK97SjLhQ6_z_fXmHseaZi0j7_sAq2TRU7buheScVDak-NOrZWYbzfkMmQFHlZy7G2cCbfHgnP1RRcpGCow_L1U2pKz1PVW1p-fQrqy-glX/s200/DSC_0295.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Brad takes a cut in a recent game</span></td></tr>
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During that time I also joined and even became the manager of an
adult softball team for six years. Interestingly, about half of the
players on that team were Jewish. This provided a great outlet for
exercise and fun but it was also a way to meet and hang out with new
friends each week. <br />
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Eventually that team was too difficult to keep going as schedules made
it impossible for everyone to commit to play even just one game a week
during a 10 week season. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MkkImIf5RNdanZ44b25WQdG6_qZ7j015o32T7b2h98_VUzCoUeDq8ajvSGCgHlXoCPZTbIR4_ErxadldO0Ruj5wnl0XyXLIZHvRDY5vXdI4hwcxmmkQ8jUgV44s9OS9pclPk/s1600/DSC_0070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MkkImIf5RNdanZ44b25WQdG6_qZ7j015o32T7b2h98_VUzCoUeDq8ajvSGCgHlXoCPZTbIR4_ErxadldO0Ruj5wnl0XyXLIZHvRDY5vXdI4hwcxmmkQ8jUgV44s9OS9pclPk/s200/DSC_0070.jpg" title="" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Matt Elkins throws a curve for the Rebels</span></td></tr>
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So, I took a few years off from the regular softball schedule until one day I read in <a href="http://www.jweekly.com/" target="_blank">The J Weekly</a> that <a href="http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/62575/rival-synagogues-meet-on-softball-field-in-marin/" target="_blank">Matt Elkins had started up a team at Congregation Rodef Sholom</a>. <br /><br />
They had a maiden voyage in August 2011 with a game against a team from Congregation Kol Shofar. Matt’s dream was to put together a Jewish softball league of teams throughout the Bay Area. “Wow,” I thought, “just like my Dad’s AZA league in Arizona we could have our own Jewish league right here in Northern California.” I signed up as soon as I could.<br /><br />We’ve played about 15 games in the last two years with games against Congregation Kol Shofar and Congregation Emanu-El from San Francisco. Matt brought over an East Bay team for a mini-tournament in May 2012 (the “<i><b>Kiddush Cup</b></i>”) and there seems to be a great interest in having more teams join the fun.<br />
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It turns out there are <a href="http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/64798/jewish-softball-league-in-east-bay-ready-to-play-ball/" target="_blank">s</a><a href="http://www.jweekly.com/article/full/64798/jewish-softball-league-in-east-bay-ready-to-play-ball/" target="_blank">everal East Bay congregations who also have teams</a>. I joined the Kol Shofar team in an away game against an East Bay All Star team last summer. They were glad to host us and even provided bagels!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1PDeiuufJF8Lf979sb37eESyiok0NyTYFTF1NKy1hx321kvo-GkdXrAXYrDtu6y-Zs6KodR9TYKkZk24WOZuLYjOWL1bgpvED8H70fn79PWm3DFk263gGwdyOG97sNKa94-J/s1600/DSC_0079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP1PDeiuufJF8Lf979sb37eESyiok0NyTYFTF1NKy1hx321kvo-GkdXrAXYrDtu6y-Zs6KodR9TYKkZk24WOZuLYjOWL1bgpvED8H70fn79PWm3DFk263gGwdyOG97sNKa94-J/s400/DSC_0079.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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While everyone likes to win, it isn’t about the wins and losses.
Although we do have umpires and keep track of the score, the emphasis is on
being outdoors, getting exercise, and having a Jewish communal
experience around a game of softball.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKoTU4LPLmyMGMcE6PrZfSAIOKRrB0n0DY7jBcZneprsTDJudxsSEDlCJ7je2Cv15wlJcwhSOW3i6gE2VVpZJxlc3Ms0k0rPI9elWKlXYcH8WRRjOkbaGF3WOBDpM5EhzMvNI/s1600/DSC_0302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKKoTU4LPLmyMGMcE6PrZfSAIOKRrB0n0DY7jBcZneprsTDJudxsSEDlCJ7je2Cv15wlJcwhSOW3i6gE2VVpZJxlc3Ms0k0rPI9elWKlXYcH8WRRjOkbaGF3WOBDpM5EhzMvNI/s400/DSC_0302.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />The fun is in the moments of the game when exciting things happen. Someone gets a hit or makes a great catch and there are high fives all around. There have been comebacks, disappointments, and lots of smiles along the way. We play as Team Rodef Sholom and the community comes together and supports each player in their moment at the plate or when the ball comes their way on the field.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPvb1swCfNW3A4w2d-4QFFVnuw4Sq2MiCKWKKu-vZH2GZmKxXIYd3ZEbjh_aw8pqBPIxilEzrcRjJPFdWnLcUEjPYH7vlr6QCQ_vDYZ8a3jSwxr_4eyTZcv_hmb7Sm1htzUGu/s1600/DSC_0346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPvb1swCfNW3A4w2d-4QFFVnuw4Sq2MiCKWKKu-vZH2GZmKxXIYd3ZEbjh_aw8pqBPIxilEzrcRjJPFdWnLcUEjPYH7vlr6QCQ_vDYZ8a3jSwxr_4eyTZcv_hmb7Sm1htzUGu/s400/DSC_0346.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />We don’t have a “Murderer’s Row” of hitters and there are no Hank Greenbergs or Sandy Kofax’s on our team. In fact the line up is different just about every game. And that’s the point of it all. To give everyone a chance to join in on the fun. <span id="goog_427901041"></span><span id="goog_427901042"></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NFJaiVvL187LW03fU6yPVjk_4z3aT_jG7xFX8fyT1bZs_B3vTLKe58_bFYbG-6pmzGXDwmoyiLy8EieF9oQMXSQJ1vXddA91Re3nX1_zv3Kvw9tN_MXXfmmyfvqUEXvRwZOJ/s1600/DSC_0336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NFJaiVvL187LW03fU6yPVjk_4z3aT_jG7xFX8fyT1bZs_B3vTLKe58_bFYbG-6pmzGXDwmoyiLy8EieF9oQMXSQJ1vXddA91Re3nX1_zv3Kvw9tN_MXXfmmyfvqUEXvRwZOJ/s200/DSC_0336.jpg" width="200" /></a>One player is in his 60s, one player had a baby last year, new players join the team every game, and in one game we had three father-son combos on the field including Cantor David Margules and his son Benny.<br />
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I remember the days when Cantor David would cheer on his son during Little League games with a rousing “Let’s go Benny baby!” <br /><br />When the game is over both teams line up for high fives and we pose for a photo to commemorate the moment.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgTF2LvmUsYhyphenhyphenyv13eF5ADWC5vbCnbq56sutMqKxvOkdZ5kHlNQjtiyG_aFSNBRhgUgdd43yfNKTyOSFAaqo1Cd6ulBf7c4hLK_CB8TDoh01h8X_py4hXogIm93rolP6XHA7r/s1600/DSC_0371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgTF2LvmUsYhyphenhyphenyv13eF5ADWC5vbCnbq56sutMqKxvOkdZ5kHlNQjtiyG_aFSNBRhgUgdd43yfNKTyOSFAaqo1Cd6ulBf7c4hLK_CB8TDoh01h8X_py4hXogIm93rolP6XHA7r/s400/DSC_0371.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Rodef Sholom and Kol Shofar in August 2013</td></tr>
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After our last game players from both teams went out for a drink to salute one player whose wife was home struggling in her life with cancer. For him, going out for a couple of hours and playing ball was a welcome distraction from the trying times at home.<br />
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I hope that many years from now other members of the Rodef Sholom community, perhaps even the grandchildren of members of our team this year, will look back at all this and say that they were glad we started this tradition of Jewish baseball fun. <br /><br />For now, I am simply pleased and proud to be a part of it all and I know my Dad would be too.<br />
<br />To find out more about <a href="http://nmmc.net/Scholarship/Heirlooms.html" target="_blank">Si Lakritz</a> visit the <a href="http://nmmc.net/Scholarship/Giving.html" target="_blank">Lakritz Family Scholarship</a> page. <br /><br /><br />
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<br />Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-62376011294261988442013-10-13T13:43:00.000-07:002013-10-13T13:44:38.242-07:00"Be Here Now" - Aren't We?I went to an amazing tribute concert for the late Michael Bloomfield this weekend at the <a href="http://www.sweetwatermusichall.com/" target="_blank">Sweetwater Music Hall</a> in Mill Valley. The show was led by Jimmy Vivino (the Conan O'Brien Show) and Barry Goldberg (Electric Flag, Bob Dylan, Steven Stills), and included blues luminaries Nick Gravenites, Elvin Bishop, Harvey Mandel, Charlie Musselwhite, and Maria Muldaur.<br />
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The Sweetwater Music Hall is a tiny venue in downtown Mill Valley with a long history of musical performances dating back to it's opening days in 1972. Like most musical shows these days you see plenty of people with their cell phones shooting pictures and video all night.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Concert goer blocks view of Charlie Musslewhite.</span></td></tr>
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In your face use of cell phones at concerts is funny and irritating at the same time. It's funny when you think about whether or not these people are actually paying attention and enjoying the concert. It's irritating for other concert goers and the artists who want to just experience the show.<br />
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So it came as no surprise when Maria Muldaur blurted out her desire for people to put down their phones by saying "Be Here Now" -- quoting Ram Dass. Of course the crowd cheered Muldaur's reprimand.<br />
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Another way of thinking about this phenomenon is that people (especially celebrities) don't want candid photos or videos of them ending up online. In a blog entry back in 2010 <a href="http://communicateyourideas.blogspot.com/2010/11/digital-forgiveness-vs-end-of.html" target="_blank">Digital Forgiveness vs. The End of Forgetting</a>, I spoke about how these images and videos can be very difficult, if not impossible, to remove after the fact. Indeed, according to George Washington University law professor Jeffrey Rosen, many bars, nightclubs, and even private party hosts now require visitors to sign agreements not to tweet or otherwise post information about other guests and whatever is going on there that night.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Maria Muldaur at the Sweetwater Music Hall.</span></td></tr>
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Rosen also talks about a Pew study showing that more 18-to-29-year-olds are concerned about their online portfolios than older adults are because they understand the consequences of over sharing.<br />
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It wasn't long before the phones came out again. Most people were at least nice enough to wait until Muldaur left the stage.<br />
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Which brings me back to why it is that so many people do this now days. Throughout the show I had been thinking the same thing myself. I wanted to enjoy the show and didn't want to bother anyone behind me if I decided to pull out my phone and shoot some video.<br />
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For me the urge to capture part of the show was not just to be able to share it with friends online. The video would help me remember the show and re-live some of the brilliant performances. It's what people do now.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/q2CT5yLgc00?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Maria Muldaur sings "My Girlish Days"</span></div>
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The <a href="http://www.gdao.org/" target="_blank">Grateful Dead</a> were pioneers in allowing and actually encouraging <a href="http://archive.org/details/GratefulDead" target="_blank">live recordings</a> of their musical performances. In what can now be seen as being way ahead of their social media times, the Dead allowed the recordings in order to maintain and, in fact, improve their fan base and ticket sales.<br />
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Today, if you do a YouTube search for <a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Sweetwater+Music+Hall" target="_blank">Sweetwater Music Hall</a> you receive a seemingly endless list of amateur and professional live video recordings from this venue. Included in that list are the two short clips I recorded last Friday night. Although not very professional, the video I shot is a nice piece of the evening I can share with the world and use to help me remember the show.<br />
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On the other hand, Muldaur is going to simmer in her disdain for the practice of fans putting their phones in her face whenever she's on stage.<br />
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Perhaps someday she will appreciate the recordings of her shows or at least be able to acknowledge the fact that people liked her performance enough to want to capture it and share it with others.<br />
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Click here to see <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrGC5-f3PEU" target="_blank">another clip from that amazing show</a>. Enjoy!<br />
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Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-18191439509598269812013-02-22T09:27:00.000-08:002013-02-22T09:27:30.201-08:00Using Ancient Teachings to be Civic Oriented in the Digital WorldEthan Zucherman talks with Howard Rheingold about a new view of civic education and civic life in the modern world. See their <a href="https://vimeo.com/58508925" target="_blank">conversation</a> on Vimeo.<br />
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How does the new networked society allow for, or make it more difficult for, people to learn about and participate in civic life?<br />
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What is the meaning of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc" target="_blank">Kony 2012</a>?<br />
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Zucherman describes the difference he sees in Plato as the elitest politician and Isocrates who taught people how to engage in the public debate of civic life. He then describes how these ideas translate into civic participation in today's digital realms.<br />
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This is a wonderful conversation with real ideas to take away for your communication skills in modern life.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<br />Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-19833185460314063162012-03-27T15:45:00.000-07:002013-12-11T22:17:37.242-08:00Flipped out over flipped classrooms<b>Salman Kahn</b> is in the spotlight these days for his <a href="http://www.khanacademy.org/" target="_blank"><b>Kahn Academy</b></a> which promotes the idea of "<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM95HHI4gLk" target="_blank">flipping the classroom</a>." <b>Kahn Academy</b> publishes educational videos online. Teachers prepare the videos and students watch them as their homework. Instead of listening to teachers talk, classroom time is "flipped" into a working homework session. In this model it is hoped that teachers can then work more closely with students trying to solve problems and complete assignments.<br />
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Kahn makes a compelling case for why this is a good idea for education. Students get personalized attention, the focus is on mastery of skills and not memorization of content, and teachers get to spend more time working directly with students.<br />
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If you listen to Kahn it's difficult to see a downside of this idea:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/gM95HHI4gLk?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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But is this the next big thing for education, a fad that will go away as quickly as it came, or worse, something that will send education down the path of robotization? Let's take a closer look at a couple of examples and try to decide which it is.<br />
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It turns out that <b><a href="http://stanford.edu/" target="_blank">Stanford University</a></b> undergraduate <b>Ben Rudolph</b> thinks online video lectures leave much to be desired. Rudolph took one course where all of his professor's lectures were presented via online video. In addition, homework assignments, quizzes, and tests, were automatically graded through a web interface used to complete programming exercises.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben Rudolph</td></tr>
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"Online lectures suck" complains Rudolph. " Sure they're great for rainy days or people learning at a distance or people that don't go to Stanford. However, these new classes are getting rid of in-person lectures completely. I met barely anyone in my class. Everything was done alone in my room, which is kind of crappy especially when there is such a nice campus right outside."<br />
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In an <a href="http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/debating-the-flipped-classroom-at-stanford/34811" target="_blank">article for the Chronicle for Higher Education</a>, writer Marc Perry describes how Rudolph's professor, <b>Andrew Y. Ng</b> and other Stanford professors came up with the idea for these online lectures in the first place. Their motivation came from the fact that it turns out students weren't showing up for class. Ng and other Stanford professors decided not to show up as well. They presented a video of their lectures and let their students listen to them from the comfort of their dorm room.<br />
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Professor Ng says that he may have started his "flipped" classroom as a response to 70% absenteeism in his classes but he argues that other elements of a course based on video lectures such as digital quizzes and tests make this a win win situation for students and teachers. The instant feedback of electronically graded assessments are much better than having to wait days or even weeks for teacher feedback.<br />
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Ng says online course could be even better if professors created shorter and targeted video lectures more in line with the <b>Kahn Academy</b> model. This model is designed to improve the teacher student relationship and increase the opportunity for interaction.<br />
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Another model, "<a href="http://spotlight.macfound.org/blog/entry/the-history-and-future-of-moocs-and-the-new-open-education-week/" target="_blank">massive online open courses</a>" (or MOOCs) is designed to reach the widest possible audience. By definition this is a model that provides decreased opportunity for student and teacher interaction. This doesn't stop proponents of this method from talking about how they will be enhancing the educational experiences of the future.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJRNwKOjVa0YK9kgrV5R_abaaq0Yv1gq5Eq7RuINnauOrH523cLLSxZPN23ZarGGUdtohUpg9mbPr5p60etn_ByXE_TwToHlMbuUM8s9lDxu-qh7YLEIlxkwcAWhHdFOP8fUC/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJRNwKOjVa0YK9kgrV5R_abaaq0Yv1gq5Eq7RuINnauOrH523cLLSxZPN23ZarGGUdtohUpg9mbPr5p60etn_ByXE_TwToHlMbuUM8s9lDxu-qh7YLEIlxkwcAWhHdFOP8fUC/s200/Picture+1.png" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Udacity</td></tr>
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"Educating the 21st Century" is the motto at <a href="http://www.udacity.com/" target="_blank"><b>Udacity</b></a> which is Stanford's MOOCs system begun this year. Professor <a href="http://robots.stanford.edu/index.html" target="_blank">Sebastian Thrun</a> taught a class with over 160,000 registered students last fall and hopes to teach this class to 500,000 people. Most of the 200 Stanford students enrolled in the class chose to watch the videos rather than go to class.<br />
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<a href="http://mitx.mit.edu/" target="_blank">MITx</a> is the online education initiative started at MIT this year. <b>MITx</b> hopes to "enhance the educational experience of its on-campus students, offering them online tools that supplement and enrich their classroom and laboratory experiences." </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BiSBcnQ8eyqYW7a6Z6ScZvl52lK4J1wA238L8ZX6jJUeVfevItbCw6j2kNuLmIDTt5VbTYfqP2Q_SnTYR3bWzVEnMGwwA3bCCgZdubFbm8aCnP0P6fucnET4YJxCXUdzNm3I/s1600/Picture+1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="53" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1BiSBcnQ8eyqYW7a6Z6ScZvl52lK4J1wA238L8ZX6jJUeVfevItbCw6j2kNuLmIDTt5VbTYfqP2Q_SnTYR3bWzVEnMGwwA3bCCgZdubFbm8aCnP0P6fucnET4YJxCXUdzNm3I/s400/Picture+1.png" width="400" /></a>It is interesting to note that all of these online college classes involve computers and technology as the subject. Kahn Academy's courses are mostly math and science topics. It is likely schools believe people interested in learning about and with computers are more likely to take an online course.<br />
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Perhaps they also believe other types of courses are less likely to be successful when offered online. Imagine 160,000 people taking a poetry class. Who's going to read all those poems? How are you going to discuss them?<br />
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Which brings us to the most important question: Does this all add up to the same or better education you might get by being in the same room with all your classmates and teachers? What are we gaining and what are we losing by moving in this direction?<br />
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Clearly online courses provide learning opportunities on a significantly larger scale. There are many other benefits to online courses including being able to learn at your own pace, on your own time, and from wherever you are located. Online learning is especially beneficial for people who find it difficult to speak up in a classroom setting. They can take the time they need to formulate their comments before chiming in to the discussion.<br />
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However, at what price does this occur to the the learning that goes on in a "normal" classroom discussion? Engaging in dialog with other people in class helps students gain perspective on the information and provides an opportunity for them to join in and share their views in ways that are just not possible any other way. This also helps create a sense of a learning community among the members of the class. Some of this is possible online but not with the immediacy and depth you can reach in person.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"FaceTime"</td></tr>
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Technological advances have made it easy for learning to take place outside the four walls of the classroom. But they may also be helping to create a culture where people spend less and less time face to face talking to each other and more and more time engaging in virtual communications.<br />
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It's funny to think about a computer program called "FaceTime" or other applications like Skype which allow you to chat online "face to face" using technology. If we can't be there in person at least we can get some "face time" with each other using this tool. The problem is that it doesn't allow for the back and forth of all the members of a class trying to participate in the discussion. It really only works on a one to one, or few to few, basis. No teacher is going to carry on a face to face conversation with 160,000 people no matter how powerful the technology. It's just not possible.<br />
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There are plenty of people flipped out over the idea of online courses, "flipped" classrooms, and the like. We are certainly going to see more and more of this type of learning over time. Let us tread lightly in this direction though. It is important to keep the learning front and center. Too often what we are learning is secondary to the simple idea that "teaching" can take place on such a broad scale.<br />
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If we do only that then we are surely revolutionizing education. However, we may not end up liking the revolution.<br />
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<b>May 2, 2012 </b><b>Update</b>:<br />
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<b>Harvard</b> and <b>MIT</b> announced a <a href="http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/harvard-and-mit-put-60-million-into-new-platform-for-free-online-courses/36284?sid=pm&utm_source=pm&utm_medium=en" target="_blank">60 million dollar investment into their online courses</a>. This investment intends to keep their online courses free to anyone who wants to take them. These universities have not figured out a way to make these courses sustainable but they do not intend to keep funding them. They have created a non-profit to run the courses and have offered the software free as open-source to anyone who wants to use them for online courses.<br />
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Click <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2012/05/02/151876426/explosion-in-free-online-classes-may-change-course-of-higher-education" target="_blank">here to hear a brief discussion</a> of this announcement from <b><a href="http://www.npr.org/" target="_blank">NPR</a></b>.<br />
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<b>May 3, 2012 Update</b>:<br />
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In April 2010 the <b>National Association of Independent Schools</b> (<a href="http://nais.org/" target="_blank">NAIS</a>) published a report of their <b><a href="http://4dmo.com/blogs/nais/" target="_blank">21st Century Curriculum/Technology Task Force</a></b>. In the report there was a strong call for <b>NAIS</b> schools to begin looking at how they can take their classes online. Here is the comment I made to that report:<br />
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"I am somewhat bothered by current discussions to take our school’s courses online. Part of my concern is that some people see it as a money making opportunity. I’m not opposed to the idea but too often the opportunity to make (or save) money overshadows the pedagogical choices we make in how we design our schools.</div>
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I have a hard time getting my arms around the idea that our classes can somehow be taught better online then they are taught in the classroom. I have yet to see that be the case.</div>
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Mostly I don’t believe we should loose the direct contact our teachers have with our students.</div>
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All of us, especially young people, spend an increasing amount of time online:</div>
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“Average number of hours a U.S. child aged 8 to 18 spends using an electronic device or watching television each day: 7.6″ – Harpers Index, April 2010 (from Kaiser Family Foundation study 2009).</div>
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What we need in education is more time spent engaging with each other as humans and less time engaging with each other via electronic media.</div>
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Do I believe we should be using more interactive tools in education then we currently use? Yes, of course we do. This does not necessarily mean we ought to be teaching our courses entirely online. Are there opportunities to open a new world of learning through online courses? Yes, but this does not mean all or even most of our courses make sense being taught online.</div>
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Even though the tools of online learning have improved significantly over the past two decades they still remain simply that — tools. Tools for the educator to use (or not use) depending on the subject and content. We should use these tools wisely and make sure we stay in touch with our human side."</div>
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<b>December 11, 2013 Update</b><br />
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Mixed news today on the MOOC front. The NY Times reports on how <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/11/us/after-setbacks-online-courses-are-rethought.html" target="_blank">MOOCs "flopped" at California State University, San Jose</a>. The Times reported on a <a href="http://www.gse.upenn.edu/pressroom/press-releases/2013/12/penn-gse-study-shows-moocs-have-relatively-few-active-users-only-few-persisti" target="_blank">University of Pennsylvania Graduate School for Education report</a> that shows a very small percentage of students every complete these massive online courses. In fact, the Times goes on to say that San Jose State experimented with smaller online courses and personal mentors designed to increase participation but this had little impact.<br />
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Meanwhile, the <b><a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/" target="_blank">PBS NewsHour</a> </b>profiled Detroit area high school <a href="http://www.clintondalevirtualschool.com/" target="_blank">Clintondale</a> this evening in a piece on <a href="http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/american-graduate/july-dec13/flipped_12-11.html" target="_blank">flipped classrooms</a>. The <b>NewsHour</b> included an interview with Justin Reich, a professor with the <a href="http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/" target="_blank"><b>Harvard University Berkman Center for Internet and Society</b></a>.<br />
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Reich was clear that the power of online learning is directly related to the connection between teachers and students and the curriculum in the classroom:<br />
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"What is exciting to me about the flipped classroom" says Reich, "is that it gets teachers asking two really important fundamental questions:<br />
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'What are the best ways for me to use my time, especially the very precious time I have in classrooms with my students?' <br />
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and then,<br />
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'What are the kinds of direct instruction that I can provide that could be digitized so that people can watch it again?'"<br />
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However, Reich adds: "If what we see from the flipped classroom is that we take bad lectures and uninteresting worksheet problems . . . and we simply flip the order of those two things the odds that we see significant improvement in our schools is pretty low."<br />
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Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-15268419850276783392012-03-13T09:06:00.003-07:002012-03-13T09:06:59.764-07:00<br />
<h1 style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3a352a;"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.tomorrow.org/speakup/" target="_blank">Speak Up 2012 for America's Future Teachers</a></span></i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.917969); color: #222222; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> is a survey run by </span><a href="http://www.tomorrow.org/" target="_blank">Project Tomorrow</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> that gives pre-service teachers the chance to have their voices heard, particularly in regards to their views on how to leverage technology in learning. Further, the results of the survey will be used to inform national policies on technology use in education. Additional information about the survey is below.</span></span></span></span></h1>
<h1 style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 15.6pt; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; orphans: 2; text-align: -webkit-auto; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">
<span style="color: #af1111; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">Calling all Future Teachers<u></u><u></u></span></h1>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQ0pU_e6XCm6YjnC-W8S_VIM-e9Wz96SG2HOQTZ0sCDq9NotSFcIsAVhVwjxY9AB1_-O3RXnqM-4utGXwuBbtCHdsmPz4kUT7Xkc5G1fwQFcRiT0lahxaXIuniFNB1yMHGI-9/s1600/SpeakUp.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQ0pU_e6XCm6YjnC-W8S_VIM-e9Wz96SG2HOQTZ0sCDq9NotSFcIsAVhVwjxY9AB1_-O3RXnqM-4utGXwuBbtCHdsmPz4kUT7Xkc5G1fwQFcRiT0lahxaXIuniFNB1yMHGI-9/s200/SpeakUp.png" width="163" /></a><strong><span style="color: #3a352a; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">We are pleased to announce that <a href="http://go.madmimi.com/redirects/eeaae1696078b28401ac35c889ce39e6?pa=8090073780" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #210c62;">Speak Up 2012 for America's Future Teachers</span></a> is now open for input! Participation is open to all students in teacher preparation programs both at the undergraduate and graduate level as well as career changers in special programs.</span></strong><span style="color: #3a352a; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;"><u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3a352a; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Speak Up 2012 for America's Future Teachers is a unique opportunity for America’s next generation of teachers to “speak up” about their views on their career choice and share their ideas about how to leverage technology within learning. The national data findings will be used to inform national policies on technology use in education, and to inform K-12 school and district leaders on the aspirations of tomorrow’s teachers.<u></u><u></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: #3a352a; font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 9pt;">Survey is open through May 11th at: <strong><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://go.madmimi.com/redirects/0f096f6a3d05799ef0f1c9efcd8c2c11?pa=8090073780" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #210c62;">www.speakup4highered.org/<wbr></wbr>speakup2012</span></a></span></strong>.</span></div>Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-68162351485218712732012-03-09T14:59:00.000-08:002012-03-09T14:59:20.173-08:00All My Friends Are STILL Dead: THE GIVEAWAY<br />
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<strong style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">All My Friends Are STILL Dead: THE GIVEAWAY!</strong></div>
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<span class="s1" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">All My Friends Are Dead</em></span> now has a SEQUEL! It’s called <a href="http://www.nomorefriends.net/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="s2" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">All My Friends Are STILL Dead </em></span></a>and it just came out a few days ago. To celebrate, we’re doing a giveaway. Here’s what you’ll get:</div>
<ol style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #535353; font-family: inherit; font-size: 10px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 10px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 3em; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.3em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One signed copy of <em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">All My Friends Are Dead</em></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.3em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One signed copy of <em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">All My Friends Are STILL Dead</em></li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.3em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One dinosaur toy</li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.3em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One <em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">All My Friends Are Dead</em> t-shirt (printed on American Apparel, <a href="http://www.bigstonehead.net/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"><span class="s3" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">sizes and colors listed here</span></a>)</li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.3em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One set of <em style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">All My Friends Are Still Dead</em> TEMPORARY TATTOOS!!!</li>
<li style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 1.3em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.4; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: decimal; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">One nice note from Avery and Jory, the authors</li>
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This is over $60 of awesome stuff, and some priceless stuff, too. ALL FREE FOR YOU! So what do you have to do to win it?</div>
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Just REBLOG THIS POST and DO NOT ERASE ANY TEXT. It’s as easy as that.</div>
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The contest will go until March 31st, and then I’ll randomly select THREE WINNERS from the list of rebloggers. That’s right: YOU’VE GOT THREE CHANCES TO WIN. So click REBLOG and enjoy <span class="s2" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.nomorefriends.net/" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">All My Friends Are Still Dead.</a></span></div>Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-73330858111866644352012-01-04T21:39:00.000-08:002012-01-04T21:39:35.637-08:00Misreading E-BooksThe <a href="http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/new-study-shows-e-textbooks-saved-many-students-only-1/34793"><b>Chronicle of Higher Education</b></a> reported a new study today that shows most students only saved $1 purchasing E-Textbooks when compared to those who purchased printed books.<br />
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Sadly this is the headline but isn't the important aspect of this study. After all, why shouldn't publishers expect to get paid for their work whether they deliver it on paper or via bits and bytes? We should know by now that publishing something electronically doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be less expensive.<br />
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<a href="http://nmmc.net/Blog_Resources/Images/E_Books/Graydon_figure_6.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://nmmc.net/Blog_Resources/Images/E_Books/Graydon_figure_6.png" width="200" /></a>The real question of worth is not related to the monetary cost, the question is will people use it and will it surpass the utility of simply consuming the printed word?<br />
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The <a href="http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE+Quarterly/EDUCAUSEQuarterlyMagazineVolum/AStudyofFourTextbookDistributi/242784"><b>Educause study</b></a> from <b>Daytona State College</b> reports that more than 60% of participants did not enjoy reading or referring to their text book in place of a printed book. Further, more than 65% of students felt they were less prepared for exams then they would have been if they would have had the book.<br />
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One big challenge to the <b>Daytona State College </b>teaching staff in this study was the fact that many of their students were not technologically savvy. This can certainly effect the results of the study. We could imagine that students with more technical skills would be more attracted to the technology and thus would have been happier reading the books online.<br />
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<a href="http://nmmc.net/Blog_Resources/Images/E_Books/Graydon_figure_10.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="http://nmmc.net/Blog_Resources/Images/E_Books/Graydon_figure_10.png" width="200" /></a>If you look at the results of the study, though, you see that the students did use the technology available to them and found it quite important to the success of their work in the class. About 65% of students said the applications on the netbooks they were assigned were helpful in doing the work in the class.<br />
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So the students used the technology to complete their class work but they did not enjoy reading the book electronically and they felt the screen version of the text left them less prepared than they would have been with a printed book.<br />
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Another factor in gauging the utility of E-books and E-readers is the ecological footprint of the technology versus printed books. It turns out that the environmental impact of the electronic version may by much higher than the printed version. According <b>Raz Godelnik</b> of <a href="http://ecolibris.blogspot.com/" style="font-weight: bold;">EcoLibris</a>, <b>Apple Computer's</b> own documentation shows that one<b> iPad</b> has "<a href="http://www.loe.org/shows/segments.html?programID=11-P13-00008&segmentID=5">the carbon footprint that is equal to the footprint of about 32 paper books</a>". <b>Amazon.com</b> and other E-reader sellers do not publish the eco-footprint of Kindle and other devices.<br />
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I am not suggesting that E-books and E-readers are wasteful or bad. In fact, I believe the technology of these micro devices should be important to the expansion of communication between people in the modern world. It is, in fact, the utility of the communications tools that make these devices so important, not the consumption of media. The communications tools can make them more valuable then if they are used simply as tools for media consumption.<br />
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Schools and families buying up these devices by the millions should be planning other uses beyond keeping books out of our children's backpacks. Manufacturers should be creating devices that have other tools that further the communication of ideas between people.<br />
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Making a list of applications for these devices and how you would use them in learning and communicating is a great place to start when trying to decide whether or not to introduce an iPad or Kindle to your students. Not, how many books you can pack into them.<br />
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<br />Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-79600077489421175862011-11-07T20:21:00.001-08:002011-12-11T17:31:30.046-08:00The FBI, CIA, Social Media, and Ninja LibrariansLast month we had a small election in our <a href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=county%20of%20marin&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDsQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.co.marin.ca.us%2F&ei=qfDkTt_pHaOyiQKB3NzXBg&usg=AFQjCNELPoJvPJfinuOtKhGyDyUBmqUMlg&sig2=nRr9eV0rVYGurT8-kuHLQw">County</a>. There were two seats open on our local school board and a bond measure for our local community services agency. As always I made sure to vote. When I got home that night I posted a Facebook notice to let people know I had voted in case anyone I knew had forgotten about the election. A few minutes later a friend posted a comment after mine. When I came to the page to read the comment I noticed a couple of Facebook ads related to elections.<br />
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On the face of it, Facebook "Related Ads" seem to be quite helpful. Why wouldn't I want to know about other election information? I've just told the whole world that I'm interested in elections.<br />
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What I know is that whatever I publish on Internet is public or at least available to someone no matter what <a href="https://www.facebook.com/about/privacy/">Privacy Settings</a> Facebook or any other Internet service offers me. In a <a href="http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/11981">recent interview with Charlie Rose</a>, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg goes so far as to say that this is a good thing. Humans long for connecting with people with whom they have something in common. That's why Facebook is so successful says Zukerberg.<br />
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As we begin to use social media, and the Internet in general, more and more for publishing our political opinions and activities the Orwellian questions arise as to who knows what I'm doing and what are they doing with that information?<br />
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It turns out that a growing list of organizations have the capacity to know. Obviously Facebook knows everything you publish on their service. So do the FBI and the CIA.<br />
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In a recent NPR story, <a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/11/07/142111403/how-does-the-cia-use-social-media"><b>How Does the CIA Use Social Media?</b></a> Robert Seigel interviews <a href="http://www.ap.org/"><b>Associated Press</b></a> intelligence correspondent Kimberly Dozier about the CIA's hundreds of "ninja librarians" who comb through millions of tweets and Facebook postings looking for information to provide US government policymakers. When Dozier asked the CIA about the possibility that their analysts might be following postings by American citizens she said "the CIA was very clear with me: We do not follow Americans here or overseas. That's not our purview."<br />
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Of course it is the purview of the FBI. We can be certain they are using the same methods and digital tools to conduct their investigations. And, they are likely using the same tools anyone of us can use -- <a href="http://www.google.com/analytics/">Google Analytics</a>. "Enterprise-class web analytics made smarter, friendlier and free" is the motto Google uses to describe their powerful service that analyzes web traffic.<br />
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<a href="http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/03/18/morocco.jpg?t=1312435411&s=2" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2011/03/18/morocco.jpg?t=1312435411&s=2" width="200" /></a>After the 2011 popular uprisings in the Middle East, United States intelligence staff realized they could have used these tools to predict the uprising in Egypt. In a story for NPA (<a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/03/25/134666365/a-new-tool-for-u-s-intelligence-google"><b>Google: A New Tool For US Intelligence</b></a>) Army instructor Gabriel Koehler-Derrick describes how "Google Trends allows us to get a sense of atmospherics." Trying to get a pulse of the citizenry, investigators tap into what kind of information searches people are doing. What they found after the fact in Egypt was that people were following what was going on in Tunis far more than what they might typically be searching on most days.<br />
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This isn't something new. Companies have been following our purchasing trends since the advent of computers. Grocery stores have decades of purchasing data on each of us as do banks and credit card companies.<br />
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What's different is that now we are putting even more data online. It's not just our shopping habits but our vacations, our family images, our sexual and religious preferences, and our political views. The potential for government officials and investigators for misusing this information is great. Racial profiling is one example of this very difficult issue facing our country since the tragedy on September 11, 2001. Certainly our digital footprints are a big part of the process.<br />
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<a href="http://nmmc.net/Blog_Resources/Images/PepperSpray.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="http://nmmc.net/Blog_Resources/Images/PepperSpray.png" width="200" /></a>Because we live in a Democratic society I have faith that the power of the information flow will not only allow us to maintain our personal freedoms but also help guarantee the open, Democratic life we enjoy.<br />
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During the recent political unrest in the US the world got a window into the power of citizenry voice. A University of California, Davis student published an eight minute <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmJmmnMkuEM">video of a pepper spray incident</a> on campus. To date nearly 2.4 million people have seen this video on YouTube.<br />
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The video expanded the public dialog such that <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wlv5KoSPChE">students were able to communicate their ideas</a> on major mainstream media outlets like Fox News. Shortened versions of the video and snippets hit the mainstream media like wildfire. It went viral. More importantly, the video provides the kind of trend that even Google's electronic servers can't analyze.<br />
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Most people watch only about the first minute and a half of the video. However, about two minutes into the video you begin to hear voices in the crowd scream "shame on you!" After just a few shouts the screams turn into a chant. In the next few minutes the police begin to realize that something terrible had just happened and they start to back away. The camera follows as the crowd begins to chant in unison over and over again. The eery video appears as if the students were pushing the police away with their verbal chastising.<br />
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<a href="http://ohs-image.ohiohistory.org/images/about/pr/ctm/1971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="166" src="http://ohs-image.ohiohistory.org/images/about/pr/ctm/1971.jpg" width="200" /></a>This event was no <b><a href="http://dept.kent.edu/sociology/lewis/lewihen.htm">Kent State</a> </b>and the world has changed significantly since that terrible day on May 4, 1970. One result of the tragedy at Kent State was a Pulitzer Prize winning photograph of a young woman kneeling over the body of a dead student. He had just been shot and killed by the Ohio National Guard. The photo helped inspire Neil Young to write one of the most memorable songs of his long and illustrious career. It also helped galvanize a generation of Americans who stood up and helped finally end the war in Vietnam.<br />
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There is no telling what today's social media will do when it comes to changing the political landscape. Just as easily as groups use it to post information about their political views, other groups can use it to publish their own views in an attempt to squelch other movements. That sounds much like Democracy to me.<br />
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Today's young people have been born as "great communicators" and the tools available to them may expand their political base if used effectively.<br />
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Whatever happens, what we do know is that the whole world is watching. Literally.<br />
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<br />Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-36833976044219730202011-10-23T23:29:00.000-07:002014-08-17T18:03:22.377-07:00Note to self . . . There Are Vans That Don't Have Automatic Doors<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
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This afternoon I picked up my daughter and her friend Gabby at the local mall. When I dropped Gabby off at her house she got out of the van and said goodbye. Then she pulled the handle on the door and began to walk away.<br />
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But the door didn't close.<br />
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I drive a lot of kids around these days and most of them make the same mistake with our doors. It turns out we have a 12 year old van with standard doors. Most kids today are used to automatic doors.<br />
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You could say it's time for me to trade-in my van after 182,000 miles but I think we'll keep it for a few more years. Maybe I should put a sign on the door to remind kids that they need to pull on the door to close it . . .<br />
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About a year or two ago I started wondering about who was it that invented the automatic door. Why is it such a great idea? Sure busses have them but do we need them in our personal cars?<br />
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<a href="http://nmmc.net/Blog_Resources/Images/BC_Wheels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://nmmc.net/Blog_Resources/Images/BC_Wheels.jpg" height="112" width="320" /></a>Then I thought about Thor's Wheels. This is a B.C. comic from the 1980s. Thor, who makes one wheeled vehicles, is asked if he'd ever considered a multi-wheeled vehicle. His reply shows that either he can't imagine a different type of vehicle ever becoming useful. Or, he's completely satisfied with a one wheeled vehicle.<br />
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This is the trouble with technology. We get used to it and can't imagine the need for anything else. And, we hardly have the time to go out and find something new and learn how to use it. Then someone like Steve Jobs comes up with an idea for a new technology, creates an "insanely great" product out of it, and we all want to have it and can't wait to get it.<br />
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<a href="http://nmmc.net/Blog_Resources/Images/Jobs_Apple_Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://nmmc.net/Blog_Resources/Images/Jobs_Apple_Logo.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a>But is that enough of a reason to go out and get it? What are we doing with the old technology we leave behind? Are we making sure it's donated to someone who will reuse it or perhaps taking it to a recycle center? Or, is it headed for a dusty spot in a back closet or the garage, or perhaps even the garbage heap?<br />
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The scariest part of this story for me is what we are teaching ourselves and our younger generations. Most of my daughters friends are very sweet and I'm sure they don't judge me harshly for having to manually close the doors in my van. But they do react in a strange way the very first time they have to close the door of my van. It's as if they just had to learn something new.<br />
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I can hear their internal brain talking to them at that very moment: "Note to self . . . there are vans that don't have automatic doors. Back in the old days you had to close them manually using your physical strength."<br />
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I think I'll keep my van for a few more years. I just hope my daughter's friends don't think I'm some grouchy old man barking at them to close the door properly.<br />
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When I do get another vehicle it will probably not be a van. By then I hope to be done with this taxi cab driving lifestyle and I can get something smaller and more sustainable. It won't have automatic doors. Or will it? It probably won't have a key and a number of other "features" I can't even imagine. It might actually drive itself.<br />
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Sometimes I feel just like Thor. Sometimes I feel so "last week."Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-19965185639518760432011-09-14T10:03:00.000-07:002014-11-07T05:45:32.102-08:00Can Gaming Save Education?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I attended a presentation this week </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">at the <a href="http://www.marinschools.org/">Marin County Office of Education</a> with </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.jamespaulgee.com/">James Paul Gee</a>, author of </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy</b>.</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gee's thesis is about the positive aspects of gaming and why we should </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">use video games</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> in education.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He says we can use games to help people (young and old) learn teamwork, how to work on projects, and how to be learners who voluntarily seek out information in creative fashion.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gee also describes how in education today we "punish" students who get it wrong with bad grades which tends to make them feel as if they are failing, while in gaming failure can be a positive process that helps us learn from our mistakes and get one step closer to success, the next level of the game, and our ultimate goal of completing (or winning) the game. </span><br />
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<a href="http://nmmc.net/Blog_Resources/Images/wow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://nmmc.net/Blog_Resources/Images/wow.jpg" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He also points out that this process of coming back from failure and striving for success helps make gamers more resilient and that resiliency is key to becoming a good learner and a successful person in today's competitive world.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These are all noble and important ideas which I believe are generally true. His examples from <a href="http://us.battle.net/wow/en/">World of Warcraft</a> and other games make sense. However, I believe Gee puts too much emphasis on the tech piece of the learning process.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the end of his talk Gee left us with a slide that said "Teachers as Creators." The idea he wanted us to take away is that it's time for teachers to become creators of games that can teach students what they need to know in the process of playing the game. After all, if the people who built World of WarCraft can do this so successfully, why can't our teachers do the same in education?</span><br />
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<a href="http://nmmc.net/Blog_Resources/Images/tac.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://nmmc.net/Blog_Resources/Images/tac.jpg" height="94" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To me this is the same argument we've heard for decades. The problem is defined as education is failing and the proof is that students are dropping out, or worse, sliding through without learning anything. Students are arriving at college without basic writing skills necessary to succeed at this higher level.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The system needs reform and why not turn it all into a computer game? We've shown how playing games helps people learn, this should be easy to do in schools. Right?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I asked him about this </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">one on one </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gee said he also believes the transition to a gaming emphasis in education should be lead by the techies and not educators despite the fact that he spent a good deal of time in his talk praising teachers and lamenting how government programs like<a href="http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/index.html"> No Child Left Behind</a> have destroyed teaching and teachers role in education. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In fact, I asked him if he had read</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Douglas Rushkoff's recent book "<a href="http://www.orbooks.com/our-books/program/">Program or Be Programmed</a>" which suggests that people (such as teachers) need to learn how to create and manage the technology in our lives or risk being controlled by the programs that run our social, economic, and information systems. Gee scoffed and described Rushkoff as someone who says anything he thinks will help him sell books. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The truth is that Rushkoff has gone away from some of his earlier ideas promoting and evangelizing the positives of technology in life and has <a href="http://communicateyourideas.blogspot.com/2010/02/rushkoff-cringes-about-our-digital.html">begun to question what it's doing to our society and our kids in particular</a>. In my view this is essentially opposite to what Gee is saying about using gaming in education. For Gee it's all about putting gaming (technology) into learning.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ironically Gee kept saying in his presentation how it isn't an either/or proposition. This is the one point I left thinking about the most. Teachers use project based learning extensively. This aspect in teaching has grown significantly for at least two decades with the help of organizations such as <a href="http://www.cue.org/">CUE</a>, <a href="http://www.iste.org/">ISTE</a>, <a href="http://www.edutopia.org/">GLEF</a>, and <a href="http://www.bie.org/">BIE</a> and many more.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Schools have successfully integrated technology into the learning space on a massive scale and teachers are becoming more and more skilled at involving technology in their curriculum.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Teachers are creative learners who strive to make sure their classes are fun and interesting so that their students leave with a sense of the importance of being a life long learner. Education is filled with opportunities for students to learn teamwork and become information literate.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taking into account the ideas Gee shows us from learning through games and integrating those ideas into our curriculum makes sense. We need to</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">learn teamwork, how to work on projects, and how to be learners who voluntarily seek out information in creative fashion.</span><span style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Re-tooling education to be a computer game is not the way to achieve this goal.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Education doesn't need to be saved. It needs to be nurtured and improved to meet the needs of 21st century world.</span><br />
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Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-42046963048615782592011-08-06T09:07:00.000-07:002011-08-06T09:16:55.562-07:00Who Will Save Us From The Future?Who will save us from the future?<br />
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<a href="http://www.nmmc.net/Blog_Resources/Images/notextwhiledrivingbarcode.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.nmmc.net/Blog_Resources/Images/notextwhiledrivingbarcode.png" /></a>Clive Thompson writes in his column <a href="http://www.bohemian.com/bohemian/04.27.11/news-1117.html">Keying In The Future Leaders</a> in <b><a href="http://www.bohemian.com/">The Bohemian</a></b> about how a college english student named Daniel Finnegan who invented an <a href="http://sites.google.com/site/usfandroidmarket/no-text-while-driving-daniel-finnegan">application for your smart phone</a> that will automatically reply to a text message you receive while driving (or any other time you don't need or want to answer a text message). The application will explain that you are driving and will reply as soon as you get to a safe place to send a text message.<br />
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Thompson uses Finnegan as an example of how modern computer programming allows even non-computer geeks to build apps that will support and improve human existence. Finnegan used a new Google tool called <a href="http://appinventor.googlelabs.com/about/">App Inventor</a> which allows for graphical "programming" of the system and features of your smart phone.<br />
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<a href="http://www.nmmc.net/Blog_Resources/Images/Program-web.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.nmmc.net/Blog_Resources/Images/Program-web.jpeg" width="257" /></a>He further cites <a href="http://rushkoff.com/index.html"><b>Douglas Rushkoff's</b></a> recent treatise "<a href="http://www.orbooks.com/our-books/program/">Program Or Be Programmed</a>" as evidence of the importance of this new way of using technology to improve our lives.<br />
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Rushkoff explains - "That's right: America, the country that once put men on the moon, is now falling behind most developed and many developing nations in computer education. We do not teach programming in most public schools. Instead of teaching programming most schools with computer literacy curriculums teach programs. Kids learn how to use popular spreadsheet, word processing, and browsing software so that they can operate effectively in the high-tech workplace. These basic skills may make them more employable for the entry level cubicle jobs of today, but they will not help them adapt to the technologies of tomorrow."<br />
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Rushkoff and Thompson make a good point about the basic understanding most people have of technology and it's use and interface within our lives. As someone who teaches people how technology can be your friend, make your life easier, help you learn and communicate with others, I see how we all need to learn more about how technology works (or doesn't work) for us.<br />
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That part I agree with. It's the part about why Finnegan decided to create his ingenious phone app that bothers me. "How do you stop people from texting while driving?" asked Thompson. It turns out that Finnegan "realized that one of the reasons people type messages while they're in the car is that they don't want to be rude -- they want to respond quickly so friends (and I assume he also meant colleagues) don't think they're being ignored."<br />
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Is it a great idea to have a app for your phone that auto replies to people when you can't get to their message as quickly as they might like? Absolutely. There are so many places where this can be useful. Is it a great idea to live in a world where people think you are rude for not immediately responding to a text. Not at all.<br />
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That's where I believe we are falling behind. To me this life of always on and always connected is turning us into rude people expecting others to do something we may, or may not, have the time or even want to do in response. What if I'm in a meeting with someone else? Is that person not deserving of my full attention? I think so and therefore wouldn't answer a phone call, E-mail, or text while meeting with them.<br />
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Recently someone arranged a meeting me and one other person. The person who arranged the meeting spent the entire time texting and writing E-mails on his phone glancing up to make a comment every once in awhile. My take away from that is whatever I had to say was not as important as whatever was coming across his phone. If that's the case, spare me the rudeness and don't meet with me. Or, better yet, don't pick up your phone and "work on it" while your supposed to be working with me.<br />
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Every so often one of my friends announces they are taking time off or even eliminating their online social networking activities because it's taken over their lives. Eventually they come back and usually with a little more balance in the amount of time they spend doing it. Integrating technology in our lives is not as easy as we might think. We often spend more time than we should with the technology that is designed to improve our lives and make it easier for us to enjoy life itself.<br />
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I'm all for democratizing the creation of technology systems and services in our lives. I'm also for having more time to be human with my family, friends, co-workers and colleagues.<br />
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I'm on vacation this week and we brought three computers with us. While on the surface that seems literally absurd to me now as I write this blog.<br />
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However, I do recognize the importance of the communication we have with the people in our world and that as long as we're not camping or literally on an island somewhere we are going to want to communicate with them.<br />
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I'm just hoping for a world where we won't be considered rude, or treated even worse, if we don't immediately reply to some form of communication in a "timely manner." I believe this is where education comes in to play. We need to integrate the technology in our world but we need to do so in a manner that is reasonable and that there are shared expectations regarding when and how we communicate with each other.Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24874986.post-80986947458853353852011-04-17T14:25:00.000-07:002011-05-01T12:46:27.680-07:00All The News Isn't Much Fit to Print Anymore<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnZIhX1fpLUkydz4689PazvgEnQvzW6qC_W_BRZzCM1HcOUk4Xp64wCuaOnGee_3wUgd3GQgmVQSm0o9K7_bhsEPJ-MX86WjfLnZcu3P0Nx_nh8d3ke80HLirryhYt6w2BR7E/s1600/DSC_0226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnZIhX1fpLUkydz4689PazvgEnQvzW6qC_W_BRZzCM1HcOUk4Xp64wCuaOnGee_3wUgd3GQgmVQSm0o9K7_bhsEPJ-MX86WjfLnZcu3P0Nx_nh8d3ke80HLirryhYt6w2BR7E/s320/DSC_0226.jpg" width="214" /></a></div>During my recent trip to Detroit I passed by the former home of the <b>Detroit Free Press</b>. Like so many other buildings in Detroit this one was boarded up thanks to the decline in the economy.<br />
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Raise your hand if you still read a newspaper . . . I didn't think so. It should be no surprise for people to learn about the continued shrinkage in media outlets. Despite the big business that is the <a href="http://www.cjr.org/resources/index.php"><b>broadcast and publishing media industry</b></a> the news and information component of this important sector of our society is sadly disappearing.<br />
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Advertising continues to be the major income for news outlets but this is a diminishing world for publishers. Revenue for American newspapers fell 6.3 percent in 2010 as compared with the previous year which was the worst on record according to the <b>Newspaper Association of America</b>. This occurred in a time when overall advertising increased especially in Television which went up by more than 10 percent last year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX7P7fULLN4WrA-I3mVQwvMwDc2i7fewAbp3IwdHGcCuMEQNbdGwZkO4rtywvFJ9IWnmqdUJD0Ei8tu4y5ewCYGG9Bf4h4WKcwtW5XciVKscKO5l6SscUhSQgQbPqD5YYz_Vb/s1600/Picture+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX7P7fULLN4WrA-I3mVQwvMwDc2i7fewAbp3IwdHGcCuMEQNbdGwZkO4rtywvFJ9IWnmqdUJD0Ei8tu4y5ewCYGG9Bf4h4WKcwtW5XciVKscKO5l6SscUhSQgQbPqD5YYz_Vb/s200/Picture+3.png" width="200" /></a>As a sign of the times, the <b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/">New York Times</a></b> recently <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/18/business/media/18times.html">announced fees</a> for readers of their online edition. With the overall decline in ad revenues for the print and electronic versions of newspapers, the Times decided it needed to charge fees for web readers to view their content.<br />
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In his presentation to employees about the fees, NY Times Chairman <b>Arthur Sulzberger Jr</b>. called the move an investment in the future of the company and the overall existence of journalism itself. "It will allow us to develop new sources of revenue to support the continuation of our journalistic mission and digital innovation."<br />
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<b>Matt Smith</b>, columnist with <b>SF Weekly</b> <a href="http://www.sfweekly.com/2011-04-13/news/david-weir-andrew-tilin-sf-public-press-matt-smith/"><b>wrote this week</b></a> about the massive reduction in the number of people in the bay area working at newspapers. According to Smith, Bay Area newspapers cut almost 50 percent of their staff between 2001 and 2010 which compares to newsroom staffs around the country that declined by just over 36 percent.<br />
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"We are the eyes and ears of our society" Smith quotes <b>David Weir</b>, Co-Founder of the <a href="http://centerforinvestigativereporting.org/"><b>Center for Investigative Reporting</b></a>. In the same breath Weir hopes that Americans don't "decide it is better to be blind and deaf than informed."<br />
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A few years ago I wrote a <a href="http://communicateyourideas.blogspot.com/2008/11/orville-schell-on-information-democracy.html"><b>short piece</b></a> referring to comments by <b>Orville Schell</b> who talks about how America was built on the idea that the success of Democracy depends upon an informed population. My question today is are we increasingly removing ourselves from the information we need to be useful, active, and participating citizens in America today?<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGywlsCkuctBT2s7nlw9cMk0E-yF7l0gwSYNBnXStaG0xBXKMmePTdCXyzmYW6XBqPwRKMuIKydr6qFpJieUdcAUG_vCo-jnZpLTcHJ80G8WbSkhopyPdBV5w2BJ_BIflZqaU/s1600/DSC_0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGywlsCkuctBT2s7nlw9cMk0E-yF7l0gwSYNBnXStaG0xBXKMmePTdCXyzmYW6XBqPwRKMuIKydr6qFpJieUdcAUG_vCo-jnZpLTcHJ80G8WbSkhopyPdBV5w2BJ_BIflZqaU/s400/DSC_0236.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The Detroit Free Press is now published under a joint operating agreement with the Detroit News. Adorning the Detroit News building are these words:<br />
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"Mirror of the public mind . . . interpreter of the public intent . . . troubler of the public conscience . . . reflector of every human interest . . . friend of every righteous cause . . . encourager of every generous act"<br />
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The long running New York Times motto is "All the News That's Fit to Print." If their business revenue declines to the point where the paper is no longer viable, who will do this then?<br />
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<b>May 1, 2011 Addendum - </b><br />
This week President Barack Obama gave a speech at the White House Correspondents Dinner in which he made the following remarks:<br />
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"You know, in the last months, we’ve seen journalists threatened, arrested, beaten, attacked, and in some cases even killed simply for doing their best to bring us the story, to give people a voice, and to hold leaders accountable. "<br />
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"And through it all, we’ve seen daring men and women risk their lives for the simple idea that no one should be silenced, and everyone deserves to know the truth."<br />
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"That’s what you do. At your best that's what journalism is. That’s the principle that you uphold. It is always important, but it’s especially important in times of challenge, like the moment that America and the world is facing now. So I thank you for your service and the contributions that you make."<br />
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"And I want to close by recognizing not only your service, but also to remember those that have been lost as a consequence of the extraordinary reporting that they’ve done over recent weeks. They help, too, to defend our freedoms and allow democracy to flourish."Brad Lakritzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07656301738005502162noreply@blogger.com0