Gaming Discussion at Parsons School of Design

Eric Zimmerman and Katie Salen wrote a really interesting book called Rules of Play a couple of years ago. They are now coming out with a new book called The Game Design Reader.

On December 9, 2005 at Parsons School of Design, they will be debuting their book and offering an interesting forum on gaming and design. The event is called Deathmatch in the Sacks.

Anyone interested in the New York area should check it out. This is a free event!

Steve

The Media Moment - Now Online

Yesterday, I did my interview via Skype technology for The Media Moment Podcast.

This was a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed chatting to Josh Cowing and Richard Brown. Just to clarify - I mentioned the 'kid' on MTV named Andy Milonakis who started out independently posting videos of himself on the web which eventually evolved into a full fledge television show on MTV... However, I was wrong on two accounts:

1. He is not a 'kid' - He's actually a baby-faced 29 year old!!! If you don't believe me, read the link...

2. He got his first big media exposure on Jimmy Kimmel - not Jay Leno.

So much for being a 'self-proclaimed media anthropologist!'

Steve

40 Developmental Assets of Adolescents

When at the Urban Youth Worker Institute, I got to hear Noel Castellanos present on Developmental Urban Youth Ministry. In this presentation, I was introduced to The Search Institute and their study on developmental assets.

This material is incredible. Based on years of research, they identified key assets which need to be wholistically developed in adolescents.

Check out the assessment tool provided by the Institute.

There are also specific studies on the attitudes and needs of youth workers.

There's even an entire (elaborate!) section on faith communities making use of asset development.

I'm encouraging ANYONE working with youth to explore this material. It's well worth it!

Best,

Steve

Why Kettles are Cool

I'm sure most of you have seen Salvation Army Christmas kettles around your local shopping malls, grocery stores, and community meeting places over the past few weeks.

I'm writing to ask you to consider dropping in a dollar or two.

The S.A. Christmas kettle comes out of a great traditon, and goes toward supporting programs like after-school and community center programs.

So dig deep and don't pass the pot this Christmas season.

Steve

The Best of Times - The Worst of Times: Budget and Tax Reconciliation update and the Prophetic voice of Jim Wallis

While I was at the CCDA Conference a couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to hear Jim Wallis, the founder of Sojourners and the writer of the now famous book, God's politics: Why the right gets it wrong and the left doesn't get it.

Last year, I watched him as he shattered John Stewart's perception of evangelical Christians on The Daily Show. When he spoke at CCDA, he blew the crowd away with a powerful call to awaken the giant force we can be as an evangelical movement.

One of the images which remains poignant in my memory is of Wallis with his finger in the air - "These days everyone in Washington are walking with their fingers up in the air - trying to get a feel for the direction of the political wind... As evangelicals, we have been spending our time trying to elect the right person into leadership... Rather, we need to become the wind!" (my paraphrase)

Wallis reminded me that faith without action is dead... as he stated, "Christianity is always personal, but never private."

He talked about the House Budget Bill (please read this!) that was passed on November 18th in Washington. This bill reduces the money which is given to food stamps, medicaid, childcare and welfare.

As a result, Jim Wallis, leaders of CCDA, and several other religious leaders are gathering on December 14 for a call to renewal. This is a situation where we need to become the wind - a voice for the poor - and this is a non-violent, respectful way to do so.

Consider becoming the wind!

Steve

Marc Prensky - Digital Immigrants and Digital Natives

Marc Prensky is an educator/speaker/author who has been a key voice in the development of digital game-based learning. His work has been incredibly influential in articulating the significant distinction between digital natives and immigrants those who have grown-up in the culture of new media (digital natives) vs. those of us who have had to enter into the world of new media (digital immigrants).

It's worth reading his papers at his website, and even checking out his books, Digital game-based learning, and the forthcoming, Don't bother me Mom, I'm learning!

He also presented at the National Education Computing Conference. For those of you that would prefer to hear him, listen to his presentation called, Engage me or enrage me: Educating today's digital native learners.

The Natives are Getting Restless

In July of this past year, the National Education Computing Conference had an incredibly unorthodox presentation by educator/actress Deneen Frasier called, The natives are restless.

Anyone working with kids and technology must listen to this presentation. It provides fantastic insight into the digital native/immigrant divide.

Don't be surprised to be surprised!

Moodle - A New Information Mangement System

This past year I have been studying under Jan Plass (He coordinates NYU's Administration, Leadership and Technology Department). I am in the final week in completing a two-semester course in Cognitive Science and Educational Technology. As part of this class, we discussed the design-effectiveness of information management systems like Blackboard.

I just received an article entitled, Places to go: Moodle by Stephen Downes from the journal Innovate on a new open source IMS called 'Moodle.' This looks like a healthy (and free!) alternative which could really help to accelerate distance learning.

Check it out!

Steve

Sharon Bussey is Blogging!

Just to let you all know, my wife Sharon has decided to have a go at blogging. Check out her first postings. It's lookin' mighty fine!

Steve