Room: TapCafe
SteveF
joined the room.
BJ joined the room.
BJ: Hi, Steve!
AnneMH joined the room.
SteveF: Hi Eliza, I am looking forward to hearing your insights into
professional development for alternative education and to hearing
your ideas on how this professional development can be fostered through
video, text and/or online resources.
AnneMH joined the room.
BJ: Hi, Anne
BJ: Eliza, looks like Steve is going to give you a workout!
AnneMH: Hi, BJ and all.
ElizaL: oops I was doing something else. Hi steve I'll try
BJ: Nice to see you, Steve. It's been a while
ElizaL: Steve, were you able to see the film on PBS?
KarenAW joined the room.
SteveF: Bj, I've been really busy with my student centered projects,
My students and I are creating up a storm with several new websites
and inventions as well as an exciting neighborhood memoir writing
and photo collaboration project. Probably this latter project would
be a neat one for this discussion.
BJ: good job, Karen
BJ:
wow, Steve...sounds fantastic!
KarenAW: thanks i'm lol
BJ: Steve, you need to join the Digital Storytelling group...The Art
of Storytelling
BJ: Julie Springer from NGA is involved with the project
BJ: Liza, we'll give everyone a couple more minutes to log in and
then we'll get started, ok?
ElizaL: sure no problem
SteveF:
I am involved in a new storytelling venture with my new neighborhood
photography and memoir project. Given our topic tonight digital storytelling
suggests an excellent cyberspace communications outlet and an exciting
arena for professional development for alternative school educators
and those involved in juvenile justice work with delinquents.
BJ agrees with Steve...not just juveniles, either
BJ:
Steve, you also might want to participate in the Arts in Corrections
group. Eliza is one of the members...
BJ: we're working to put together a program of arts opportunities
that are being used in correctional/alternative ed situations...an
arts advocacy program
ElizaL: That sounds great Steve, I bet you would be interested in
a new sight we are launching called Borders. There is a preview up
on our site now.
BJ: Liza, I'll announce and then we'll get started
ElizaL: okay
BjB:
|** ANNOUNCEMENT: The Alt/Correctional Ed discussion group with special
guest Eliza Licht, is starting in the Cafe. Eliza will be discussing
the PBS POV program What I Want My Words To Do To You. To participate
in the discussion, click on the ONLINE tab to the left of your chat
window, single click on ElizaL and then click on the door icon at
the bottom of the frame **|
BJ:
Welcome to the discussion, Steve, Anne and Karen!
AnneMH: Happy to be here!
BJ: Before we begin, a reminder that you can click on the actions
drop down menu in the top right of your chat window to detach your
chat window
KarenAW: First time at branching out within the community
BJ: that will make your chat window larger and easier to read
BJ: As always, let's start with introductions. Eliza is our guest
speaker and will introduce herself after you all do.
BJ: I'm an art teacher in Pennsylvania and the leader of the Arts
and Corrections group
BJ . o O ( facilitator, might be a better term )
MichelleT joined the room.
AnneMH:
I am a graduate student in 7-12 language arts and have taught adult
basic ed to offenders and probably will do so again.
BJ: Steve? Karen?
KarenAW:
My name is Karen Willliams, a grad student at the University of Minnesota.
My discipline is Art Education
SteveF:
Its particularly wonderful to be involved in a chat with the producer
of a show that is a quintessential media presentation of multiple
perspectives and a wonderful demonstration of how instructors and
facilitators have to approach alternative education
BJ:
Hi, Michelle. Welcome. We're just doing introductions
MichelleT: I'm a literacy coach
MichelleT: I work for Milw. Public Schools
AnneMH: (I'm at the Univ. of Dayton)
BJ hands the virtual floor over to Eliza
ElizaL: Thanks steve..where/what do you teach?
ElizaL: First, I want to start with a quick question. Does anyone
want me to go over what P.O.V. is?
SteveF: I have had experience as the leader of a writers group workshop
at Rikers and also worked on a service learning preservation project
with juvenile offenders in PA. Many of the participants had been involved
in the destruction of property they later restored. It was a mind
enhancing, meaningful beyond words experience!!
BJ: I would appreciate it, Liza.
AnneMH: ditto
MichelleT: me too
KarenAW: go ahead
ElizaL: P.O.V. (a cinema term for ?point of view?) is an annual curated
collection of 12-16 of the best independently produced contemporary
non-fiction films. We have been broadcast on PBS since 1988. The reason
I am here tonight is that we also offer these films to thousands of
community groups and educators free-of-charge in order to promote
civic engagement and public dialogue on the contemporary social issues
presented in our films. More than a broadcaster, P.O.V. is a pioneer
in promoting civic engagement and public dialogue on contemporary
social issues through innovative uses of media and community engagement
strategies.
SteveF: I'd love to hear you articulate your vision!
ElizaL: Sorry this is a little wordy...
KarenAW: no, this is good
ElizaL: In addition to these films we also work with educators and
consultants to produce discussion guides and lesson plans to help
educators and community organizers use our films. These companion
materials are available FREE online
SteveF: Not at all engagement is the key word here and for our topic.
. Let us connect!!
ElizaL: Tonight I am here to talk about our most recent broadcast
"What I Want My Words To Do to You"
BJ wonders if everyone has seen the program?
MichelleT: I haven't
ElizaL: but I think that many of you will find other films useful
as well...
KarenAW: didn't get to but read the information online
BJ . o O ( or the webpage of resources )
AnneMH: yes and i loved it
KarenAW: I hear it was wonderful
BJ: I saw it, too...very powerful
ElizaL: Steve have you seen it?
MichelleT: I'd like to see it
SteveF: Yes, I have and I wonder whether beyond online resources and
curriculum print materials, you have other ideas about the application
of this piece to our topic, Eliza or perhaps someone else, Anne,Karen
or Michelle does??
BJ: Michelle, the topic is perfect for a literacy coach!
ElizaL: Okay for those of you who don't know ..The film focuses on
a writing group led by playwright and activist Eve
ElizaL: Ensler (The Vagina Monologues) at the Bedford Hills Correctional
ElizaL: Facility in Westchester, NY. This film allows viewers to see
past the
ElizaL: crime to the person, to see "the woman" and not
just "the mistake."
ElizaL: Before I move you to the web page does anyone have any pressing
questions about P.O.V.?
KarenAW: no, i'm fine
MichelleT: no
ElizaL: http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2003/whatiwant/index.html
ElizaL: There is the web site has everyone been there before?
BJ: click on the hyperlink to open a new window
AnneMH: yes
KarenAW: yes, so have i
SteveF: Steve: Do you think that using this approach as a model, albeit
not with a playwright of Ensler statute but with an experienced teacher
educator in the teaching of writing or a photographer gifted in the
craft of portriture would be an effective professional development
course or experience? Would Ensler participate in anonline or in person
or video PD experience?
ElizaL: Steve , yes to the first question
ElizaL: Did everyone find the discussion guide?
BJ nods
MichelleT: I looked briefly at the website it appears to be outstanding
I like the lesson plan
ElizaL: Glad to hear it.... I'll quickly show you how to get to the
guide
ElizaL: http://www.pbs.org/pov/pov2003/whatiwant/resources_guide.html
ElizaL: that is the link and it's easier...that way. Then you can
either opt to fill out the form and we will add you to our mailing
list or just hit download the guide
SteveF: Most important is this guide an open document or at least
are there online opportunities for teachers and participants to add
their perspectives and responses to this powerful POV?
ElizaL: P.O.V. works with nationally recognized media educator Dr.
Faith Rogow to develop facilitation guides for our films to help organizers
carry out substantive discussion, while being cognizant of the sensitivities
around challenging content. The guides contain advice on leading discussion;
a listing of an array of possible views on the subject with suggestions
for handling extreme views respectfully, cogently, and as a springboard
for further discussion; background information on the issue to help
in guiding discussion; suggestions for areas of dialogue/evocative
questions; and a listing of additional resources, among other elements.
GailP joined the room.
ElizaL: Steve what do you mean by "open" document?
BJ: Hi, Gail. Welcome to the discussion.
GailP: Thanks - just stopped in for a bit
ElizaL: But yes..we encourage viewer feedback especially on line
ElizaL: There are a number of ways to "talk back"
SteveF: Can and do you desire to compile reactions and discussions
stimulated by the guide as a means to expanding, enhancing and fieldtesting
the approaches generated?
ElizaL: there is the online discussion board http://boards.pbs.org/servlet/BoardView?boardid=915058065
ElizaL: yes, yes, and yes...
ElizaL: we want all the feedback and reactions
ElizaL: There is also something called a the talking back tapestry
ElizaL: that you can access from the homepage..
SteveF: What is the definition of that term in multimedia pbs parlance?
ElizaL: we encourage people to send in video responses or even phone
messages to be included on this feature
ElizaL: what term?
SteveF: "talking back tapestry" what a great metaphor for
this approach to alternative education pd!!
AnneMH: Eliza, I think this group is basically "the choir";
i am curious as to how the general public perceived "what my
words...."
ElizaL: Anne, Gail, Karen, BJ, Steve have you used video in any of
your classes
AnneMH: for viewing?
ElizaL: yes
AnneMH: oh yes, a lot
WilliamPC joined the room.
KarenAW: no not teaching right now
MichelleT: no but I will
ElizaL: the majority of people loved the film
KarenAW: just finished a course on including video, film and media
AnneMH: that's great, it seems that the public is anti-crime and anti-criminal
ElizaL: it is interesting to read the discussion boards and hear how
different people reacted
GailP: I'm not teaching now, but I saw the film and was very moved!
SteveF: I have used video to say a Christmas card of greetings to
Us soldiers who were originally Kennedy High school students and i
have had wonderful POV style snapshot oral history views of family
members and their family exhibits
ElizaL: it is a very powerful film...all of the screenings I attended
were incredibly moving
AnneMH: Eva is amazing...i thought she was like a therapist
AnneMH: which one normally can't do as a teacher of course
ElizaL: I know..
AnneMH: can you elaborate?
GailP: I have had some personal family experiences that have convinced
me that writing can be extremely therapeutic - with students it is
important to convince them that they can take a chance and be honest.
SteveF: Eve is a charismatic dramatist, dramaturge, actress and like
Anne Deweare Smith a reenactor a well
ElizaL: a few people who screened the film wished there was a professional
available
AnneMH: professional what?
MichelleT: why
ElizaL: professional therapist
AnneMH: oh u mean at the viewing
AnneMH: right
ElizaL: we have some tips for teachers/facilitators in the guide but
I always
WilliamPC left the room.
ElizaL: make sure folks have seen the film ahead of time
AnneMH: I used to hesitate to show depressing/issue-provoking films
to my incarcerated women, but they always said "we can take it"
AnneMH: but i'd warn ahead of time
ElizaL: and they can
SteveF: I think the essence of the film is its lack of a professional
. These participants have had too much exposure to the socalled "trained
professionals." They need the liberation of writing and speaking
to a community of listeners through an artistic product!!
ElizaL: we have found thatthese films can be incredibly helpful tools
to discuss difficult issues
ElizaL: it gives folks a way "in"
AnneMH: contrarywise, i found Eva quite professional
AnneMH: i wish there was a discipline of writing therapy like there
is art therapy
SteveF: I meant professional as a trained psychotherapist or a credentialled
social worker, or psychologist
AnneMH: point taken
BJ: Anne, I think the program lays the groundwork for writing as therapy
BJ . o O ( and so does the discussion guide )
SteveF: Writing is essential a therapy
ElizaL: If any of you are interested in using this film in your classes...just
fill out an application at http://www.pov.org/events/event_app03.html
AnneMH: but again there are issues as to what a k-12 teacher can legally
do
AnneMH: what is the application for exactly please?
BJ: do you recommend this film for K-12, Liza?
ElizaL: to get a copy of the film
AnneMH: great
ElizaL: High School...not any younger
BJ nods. Thanks
AnneMH: maybe even excerpts?
ElizaL: People have shown it to middle schoolers
ElizaL: yes, i think excerpt could be really helpful
WendyGst4 joined the room.
BJ: Anne, I think one of the most moving parts of the film were when
the actresses were reading the stories and we saw the author's faces
AnneMH: i agree
GailP: I would think it would take a lot of "preparation"
and background to use it with middle school students - but selected
excerpts would work well!
BJ: Hi, Wendy
WendyGst4: sorry, I am leaving
WendyGst4 left the room.
ElizaL: Yes, I think in the lesson plan there are
ElizaL: parts she suggests
SteveF: I would want to collaborate with you and provide authentic
feedback from my Bronx hgh school students . it would inspire a tone
and approach for our ongoing neighborhood photo and memoir project.
I believe with Lionel trilling that at various ages various insights
and perspectives can be taken from media. Perhaps a mature 8th grader
would appreciate aspects of its format and style mediated by an adult
leader/facilitator.
ElizaL: Next year we are thinking of putting clips on line to go along
with the lesson plans
ElizaL: would that be helpful to any of you?
AnneMH: quite possibly
ElizaL: WE are also trying to get find the clips
SteveF: I think that would provide concerned educators with a feel
for the visual texture and suitability (if these issues are there
) of the material
KarenAW: oh yes clips would be wonderful
ElizaL: Steve, that sounds really intesting. I am actually trying
to find a teacher in new york to participate in a "global classroom"
excercise on the environment
ElizaL: I would like to talk to you about that later
ElizaL: I am so glad to be here and talking to all of you!!
AnneMH: So great of you to be here!
BJ smiles happily. I love to see the Tapped In community in action!
MichelleT: thank you
ElizaL: Does anyone have any more questions?
BJ: we have about 5 minutes left...any last questions or comments?
BJ . o O ( Liza beat me to it )
KarenAW: my first time at this and its everything and more than I
could have hoped for
ElizaL: I want you to know you can all leave me messages here at tapped
in or email me at elicht@pov.org
KarenAW: thank you
ElizaL: Aww..shucks..same here.
AnneMH: the film really confirmed what i found in incarcerated persons--the
lack of a veneer--no social b.s.
ElizaL: yes
MichelleT: I've learned alot
ElizaL: Anne do you think your students would gain anything from seing
this film
AnneMH: what the guide talked about as women who were examining theirlives....in
prison you have a lot of time for that
GailP: Thanks for letting me "listen in" - in my cubicle
job in the Library of Congress, I miss the connections with educators!
And this film was special to me and this discussion has given me a
lot of insight!
AnneMH: oh yes
AnneMH: hope, among other things
SteveF: The environment is one of my key arenas . I have done extensive
work with Fluid Arts on these issues and have had ongoing international
collaborations with Estonia, Brazil, Japon, etc .
ElizaL: good
AnneMH: that they can make it through a long sentence without going
nuts, for example
ElizaL: Steve; check out the borders preview on our homepage www.pbs.org/pov/
and email me
BJ hopes to hear more about the global environmental project
BJ: I'd like to thank you all for participating in this discussion
ElizaL: I would love to tell you all about the global environment
project--it is all online!!
AnneMH: Thank you.
BJ: and a special thanks to Eliza for being our guest
MichelleT: your welcome
GailP: You did a great job as usual, BJ.
ElizaL: Thanks everyone
BJ: thanks, Gail
KarenAW: thank you for coming and to everyone else i'm happy to meet
to all
SteveF: I'll check it out and be in touch, Eliza. This was super,
BJ, , Thanks so much. . .
MichelleT: goodnight
ElizaL: Thank you BJ for setting this up
KarenAW: yes thank you BJ
BJ: Please consider joining the Arts in Corrections group
SteveF left the room (signed off).
2004.01.15 19:01:38
Signoff
Please Contact Us