Children and digital technology

Children and digital technology

Chances are if you are looking for a camp for your children this summer there are a lot of options around STEM. You can find coding camps, space camp, 3D models, and math camp.  I was surprised to find journals online like The Elementary STEM Journal, Technology and Engineering Teacher journal, and the Journal of Technology Education (JTE).  It is all things technology for educators which in turn is all things STEM for students. For more tenured teachers diving into technology can be challenging.

The Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs offers several STEM programs to schools and teachers in the community of Colorado Springs  USAFA is heavily focused on engineering and technology (it is rocket science after all in some cases).  Air Force Cadets connect with classrooms to read a picture book and a kit of materials is provided for a STEM activity. This builds connection with children, provides resources with technology, but possible plants a seed in the kids when think about STEM and the military.

They also provide online opportunities for the Virtual Audience with an Astronaut Sessions.  I know many kids are looking at becoming professional gamers and influencers, but there are still a few that want to be astronauts! This program connects with the Space Foundation to bring six free virtual Audience with an Astronaut sessions to classrooms! This year’s sessions will feature retired General and former NASA Astronaut Susan Helms.  Ms. Helms is amazing and such a great example for kids.  She has both street and space cred. She has flown into space aboard Shuttles Endeavor, Atlantis, Discovery, and Columbia, and has served aboard the International Space Station. She has spent a total of 211 days in space, including establishing a world record for the longest spacewalk at 8 hours and 56 minutes!  Virtual learning and technology make this happen.  The Academy partners with Peak Area Leadership in Science (PALS) and hosts additional STEM modules for Colorado Springs students. 

On the opposite side of the US Norwich University is hosting cyber camps this summer for teachers that want to teach cyber in the Vermont area.  The workshop is  9th - 12th Grade Teachers.  Via a grant it iss free and  helps get materials into the classrooms. They are offer earn 6 credits at the graduate level.  Norwich University is proud to host its first Residential GenCyber Teacher Camp wholly funded by a grant awarded by the National Security Agency and the National Science Foundation. This week-long residential camp will be held in early Summer 2023. As part of the full GenCyber experience, you will also attend a day-long "CyberTaster" session in Spring 2023.   I appreciate the way the University is digging in to prepare those that teach cyber technology to plant seeds for the future of the organization. Cyber crime and warfare are topics the Department of Defense is actively investing in for the future.

Teachers, schools, politicians, and communities are investing in STEM everything. With a quick search I found just a few examples in 2023.  It does require investment both the families and the schools but it is more and accessible.

Rep. Daniel Kildee, D-Michigan, issued the following news release on Feb. 17, 2023: - $1,000,000 to Sloan Museum of Discovery at the Flint Institute of Science and History to support afterschool programs in STEM education for students.   Recently, Kildee secured $650,000 federal funding to create a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education program for students at Sylvester Broome Empowerment Village's (SBEV's) north Flint afterschool center, in coordination with Berston Field House's youth mentoring program for young adults.

Meyer reported to the School Library Journal, Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN hosts after school coding clubs at the library at Rose Park School. Undergrads from Code Ignite visit the school for an hour each week to teach kids game design and animation using Scratch (scratch.mit.edu), the simplified programming language designed for kids by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).  "It's really exciting to watch the fifth and sixth graders designing their animations or thinking up their games…  they have the tools to go beyond Scratch into a different [programming] language."

America on Tech  provided a grant $230,000 to prepare young people for the technology workforce.  Zonta International is a that help advance the status of women around the world and they offer the Zonta International Women in Technology Scholarships to encourage women to pursue education, career opportunities and leadership roles in information  technology.

 Digital technology is helping to connect parents with the classroom. As activities become more digital some schools are embracing “Digital documentation provides a quick and convenient way for families (and teachers) to follow children's experiences and growth-not just highlights or end products” (Haney, 2022).  This is an investment for the teacher, school district, and caregivers. Rather than having your refrigerator filled with construction paper handprint turkeys and thumbprint zoo animals, a digital file can be exchanged.  (I hope this never catches on; it is just one more thing for the teach to do rather than teach).

All private and public sector employment opportunities have an aspect of STEM and the competition for raw talent is very high. Everything from corporate sign on bonuses to Military Enlistment bonus.  Kids spend 7-10 hours a day on technology, and it makes sense to create programs that nest into their hobbies.  It presents issues and dangers but everything in moderation.

I am grateful for the digital technology that keeps me connected with my 11-year-old granddaughter and my nieces and nephews.  During the first few months of the pandemic, we would hop on Zoom and connect.  Now, we send messages back and forth and she often will send emoji’s. Since we are separated by three states, we can stay connected. When her parents travel, she stays connected and even checks in on her fur bothers and sisters.  She builds PowerPoints for projects and uses virtual textbooks. I am grateful that she has a pen pal that she writes cursive letters rather than an email.  The evolution of her learning and development continues to advance. 

References

Meyer, L., 2017. Higher Stem. School Library Journal 63 (04) (04): 38.

Kildee Delivers New Federal Funding to Expand Educational Programs in Genesee County. 2023.Targeted News Service, Feb 18.

 Haney, S. 2022. Experiences can't Go Home in Cubbies using Digital Technology and Documentation to Connect with Families. Teaching Young Children, vol. 15, no. 2, 2022, pp. 20-22. 

 

Branding

Week 7

Your brand, your brands’ brand

Webcasts, ted talks, and books are devoted to the importance of creating your own personal brand and for business and organization’s there are agencies devotes to solidifying and building their brands. 

This week we listed to Rory Sutherland. He devoted a Ted Talk discussing the advertising revolution in brand identities, designing cutting-edge, interactive campaigns that blur the line between ad and entertainment.  Brand management has become one of the most critical aspects of business strategy. Brands are often a central organizing principle of successful organizations. They guide decisions and actions. 

When developing your personal branding one must remember that it is your legacy and your reputation that are on the line.  You want to control the way you are seen.  It is also important to understand how to position yourself against others.  One thing to ask yourself is – How did you get to where you are at? Did you design it or did someone direct it? Many times, you may find yourself in position that you just fell into not that you necessarily wanted.  When you think about your own brand you can stop where you are at and answer where you want to be going forward. Developing a strategy to help make decisions.  Always remember that just because you can does not mean you should. You must decide whether you want to have a reactive career or a proactive career. There can be a lot of judgment in personal branding.  It can take some time but you have to think what you stand for and what you desire. Ask yourself what your desired reputation looks like.

For businesses and non-profits every brand has a personality and character.  Branding is about open and communication with user.  People will have strong feelings about the product or company.  Successful brands need to optimistic. Consumers want to be feel good about a product and over time it even becomes apart of their personal brand.  Creating a logo is very important. Your brand could be recognized just by your logo alone. This could be what makes someone pick up a product over a different one.  Story telling and tone of voice are essential in branding. What message are you telling.  Remember, typically people don’t fall in love with companies they fall in love with the brand experiences, everything high quality products to excellent customer service. Brand recognition indicates how easy it is for audiences to identify your brand without hearing or seeing the brand name.

Traditional brands 

I love Tiffany – I can recognize the blue color and box from afar. Ironically, I have no Tiffany pieces in my jewelry box but I recognize the exquisite product and the iconic customer service. When shopping Tiffany and Co. in the Middle East you have to pass through a velvet rope and the security personnel often don white gloves, It feels luxurious.  Just this week it was announced “Lebanese superstar singer Nancy Ajram has been named Tiffany and Co.'s new brand ambassador, becoming the first Arab to hold the post.”  The iconic brand seeks out stars to represent the brand. Name recognition times two.  For the Super Bowl Tiffany and Co.  handcraft the Vince Lombardi trophy. The also craft 65 other trophies each year at the Tiffany & Co. hollowware workshop in Cumberland, Rhode Island (TCA. Feb 21, 2023).

One local brand in Colorado Springs is The Broadmoor Hotel.  In a recent article The Broadmoor, they said, "has no corporate brand, just three families passionate about a very special place."   The owners have continued to build on the legacy of Spencer Penrose with 61 years as a Forbes 5-Star Award property and the AAA Five-Diamond Award since 1979 (Navarro, 2021).  When you go to the property you understand that you are part of the culture of the west, mixed with history, and class. The experience is luxurious but friendly. They pay attention to the details whether you are an on-site guest or just stopped in for a coffee. The valets are dressed in top hat, gladly offer an elbow to assist with a step, and a golf umbrella in in climate weather. No one talk negatively about The Broadmoor in my company.

Land Rover is a very classic brand and recognized worldwide.  For decades, Land Rover and Jeep dominated the market for go-anywhere, off-road vehicles, and the luxurious Range Rover had no real competition. The Rover is king. Pop songs have sung about them, they are in 007 high speed chases and carry Indiana Jones on his adventures. That, of course, has changed, and the Range Rover especially is seeing more and more competitors inch onto its turf, as other luxury brands such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin, Maserati and Cadillac roll out six-figure SUVs. (Trutt, 2022) Car enthusiasts tend to be Brand snobs. Advertisers hone in on the brand identities and speak to the consumer.

When I fly on Emirates airlines, it is gives me a feeling that I am going somewhere big and great people are coming with me. It is an experience. When I see the Fly Emirates logo and tagline, I am in.   Coke is just soda but most people recognize it and have a very specific opinion about it.  Andy Warhol incorporated the brands in his art and created additional recognition.

Levi’s are just jeans but most people can relate this brand to an event or memory. I have a friend that only washes their favorite pair of Levi’s once a month to make them last longer. 

If someone talks bad about your brand it is almost as if someone is insulting them and they will adamantly defend it.

Always be aware of why you like a certain brand. We have connections to brands, and it becomes a pillar of our identity.  I love many outdoor clothing brands. But recently some became very political, and it made me like them less, which is horrible because the quality is amazing

“Patagonia has been a longtime champion for environmental issues, so in the most recent election cycle, it endorsed four senatorial candidates from Arizona, Maine, North Carolina, and Montana who were “over whelmingly focused on taking the climate and ecological crisis seriously” (Morse, 2020).

Not sure how that makes me feel as a consumer.

But I can speak with my wallet if I need to change.  

References

Nancy Ajram Becomes Tiffany & Co.'s First Arab Brand Ambassador. TCA Regional News, Feb 21, 2023 

Morse, B. (2020, December 22). Patagonia’s Guide to Politics. Inc, 42(5), 18.

Navarro, L. (2021). How the Broadmoor Became 'the Grande Dame of the Rockies'. TCA News Service, Dec 16, 2021.

Truett, R. (2022). Off-Road Rovering Builds Customer Loyalty: Land Rover Retailer Gives Customers Chance to Play on Rough Terrain. Automotive News 97, no. 7063 (Nov 07, 2022): 15.

Technology gives space to the least of thee

 Technology gives space the least of thee.

You have heard one hit music wonders. You know the song that hit the charts and you never heard from them again.

Who remembers the song from the 1990’s Butterfly Kisses? The song was written by Bob Carlisle and Randy Thomas. The song was written for Carlisle's daughter Brooke's 16th birthday.  For years this was used at weddings for the father-daughter dance.  But other than that Bob Carlisle was not in the news or music charts.  He appeared on Oprah and other well known artists produced it..

The impact of social media of politics, human rights, and business

Don’t lie, if you are caught, it will cost you, “For example, when Kentucky Fried Chicken tried to claim that fried chicken could be part of an effective diet program in 2004, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) penalized the company, requiring it to pull the commercials and submit all advertising for FTC review for the next five years” (Nott, L.,2020).   This made me chuckle, chicken nuggets are a solid favorite for elementary children and teens. So, close KFC... so close.  I wonder how Chick-Fil-A would fit into the narrative. But that's political.

Because no government agency can impose penalties on a candidate who lies in an ad, the only form of recourse for a victim of a false attack ad is to sue for defamation (Nott, 2020).

Despite everything that divides people in the United States politically and the corruption. There are a lot of good people that are  genuine  and want to serve our country protecting freedoms and our democracy. 

The system is dysfunctional and broken. Common sense is not the common sense that our founders envisioned for us. Media feeds into the narrative by running controversial advertising. The beauty about c-span is that removes the political narratives out of the picture.  According to the their website they have five components to the mission.  The coverage on proceedings of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, and to other forums where public policy is discussed, debated and decided––all without editing, commentary or analysis and with a balanced presentation of points of view.  Note they published as it is. There is no editing to feed a particular narrative.   The provide elected and appointed officials and others who would influence public policy a direct conduit to the audience without filtering or otherwise distorting their points of view. To provide the audience, through the call-in program, direct access to elected officials, other decision makers and journalists on a frequent and open basis.  You an average citizen can weigh in and make comments. You have the ability have a direct connection to the representatives that work for us. 

The team employs production values that accurately convey the business of government rather than distract from it; and conduct all other aspects of its operations consistent with these principles.   They do not create woke media, fake media, or skewed media, they just report.

They can be found on the radio, tv, and online.  They also provide a space for classrooms for teachers and homeschool parents in the classroom.

For example on this day in 1945.

During World War II, United States Marine forces landed on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima as part of a larger strategy to close in on the mainland of Japan. The operation to capture this island from the Japanese Imperial Army started on February 19, 1945. The battle went on for over five weeks. In the end, the United States saw more than 20,000 casualties, including almost 7,000 deaths. Approximately 18,000 Japanese soldiers were killed. View the following clips to learn more about the battle and hear recounts from World War II Veterans.

They have archived media clips of the coverage. It is pretty amazing. Iwo Jima

But this does not sell or bring the hype. Most citizens are not tuned in and following the latest topics in the halls of House of Representative and Senate.

They have already created Raod to the White House 2024 - And the candidates are already preparing.

Crisis, Mental Health, and Technology – an uncommon marriage

 I am going to go on a limb and say we need social media and technology advances.  Our ecosystem, mental health, families, economy, and self-preservation need it.  Sure, there are people that will go off grid and disappear but for the rest of us raising families, active in our communities, and participating whole heartedly in the world, we need it. It is no longer an option.

Sunday night an earthquake hit Turkey and Syria while I slept. By the time I checked twitter during my first coffee of the morning, news and details were everywhere. I received a new alert in my inbox and by 6 pm I had already received two non-profits asking for support - Save the Children  and America-Israel Friendship League.  Very quickly, over 2,000 were confirmed dead, and that number will spike dramatically in the coming days. The quake is one the strongest to hit the region in over a hundred years with multiple aftershocks felt throughout the region afterwards. Sadly, this earthquake is in an already impoverished and war torn area. This adds salt to an already bad situation.

The importance of technology and apps in emergencies and during a healthcare crisis is critical.

I know for some the constant coverage and updates are too much. The images and the narratives can be overwhelming, but it can help long term for documentation, paint a realistic picture of the suffering or assistance needed. Using technology can help the relief efforts to be more strategic.

In 2022 article published in  JMIR Cancer journal reveals, “The nature of expression over social media can lead to greater support as geographic boundaries are eliminated” (Basch, C., et al. 2022).

Both the World Health  Organization and the  American Cancer Society published statistics that Breast Cancer remains the second most diagnosed cancer in the world just under lung cancer. There were 2.3 million Breast Cancer cases in 2020.  Tik Tok of all things is playing a huge role for both awareness and advocacy. Women are telling their stories and encouraging others to find support care, get prevention screenings, and celebrate survivors. The research noted that there could be misinformation published but in most case the information was accurate and had positive messages. Tik Tok could save lives.  

The most profound advancements can be connected to resilience and mental health. From the touch of a few buttons on your phone you can get mental health support and make connection.

Last year I stumbled on #ForLikeMinds

This nonprofit is amazing. They use social media to get the word out about mental health, but they also have a program where you can send  cards to patients that in an institutional setting.   Sharing a card can have a wonderful impact on a patient at their lows - offering help, encouragement, and hope. They need our support at this critical and vulnerable time.

The founder Katherine Ponte struggled with her own mental health issues and created this space to support others.  More than 80% of former psychiatric unit patients surveyed said receiving a "get well soon" card would have helped their recovery.  Additionally, her program created virtual support groups. Users fill out a question-and-answer profile and create a login. This space becomes a peer-based community support for mental illness and addiction and their caregivers.  To sign up one enters basic details and can remain anonymous. You can add the conditions you have or stressful life events to your profile.  If you are a supporter, you find other like minds and members to make connections.  There are over 200 mental illnesses and often times they are connected with an addiction issue.  They have groups for student, veterans, by gender, and other attributes. You can enter key words to find connections.  There is an ability to create your own group and can limit access or open it up more broadly.   Making this connection in groups or one on one can provide support and a sense of community.  They have blogs and Facebook posts that provide inspiration and support. They have had over 85,000 accounts created.  This was the first online peer-based support community dedicated to people living with or supporting someone with mental illness.

Wisconsin mental health organization launches virtual support groups to reach rural residents.

Random acts of kindness and caring about someone you do not even know can be incredibly impactful.

A stranger can make a difference in recovery or help some get through a difficult period. For some it is a very lonely world out there and social media can make it a little less scary.

We need Social Media, tell me I am wrong.

References

Basch, Corey H., et al. "How TikTok is being used to Help Individuals Cope with Breast Cancer: Cross-Sectional Content Analysis." JMIR Cancer, vol. 8, no. 4, 2022. ProQuest, https://www-proquest-com.libproxy.troy.edu/scholarly-journals/how-tiktok-is-being-used-help-individuals-cope/docview/2759737459/se-2, doi:https://doi-org.libproxy.troy.edu/10.2196/42245.

The impact

 In 2010, Johanna Blakey gave a Ted Talk suggesting that the internet and social media will remove some stereotypes and/or advertising biases.  Online Advertisers will offer ads based on previous cookies, likes, and geographical data and less about your gender and age. This is a very refreshing idea. Perhaps I will get ads due to my research or browsing  rather then target stereo types for my age group and gender. Advertisers have honed in on campaign targeting and marketing.  The data analytics are very sophisticated. Social Media applications free us from the assumptions and stereotypes.  

Data analytics careers are on the rise. In fact so much so that The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that data analyst jobs will grow 25 percent between 2020 and 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.  Data is driving what we consume, predicting what we might consume, and how long we consume. 

Take tonight as an example. In the news area of Google I searched for the phrase "banana prices in Montana". The first result speaks of raising wheat prices and the fact the Montana Wheat is not raising their process.  By the fourth recommendation they are recommending "30 cardigans I will want to wear everyday".  In the body of the article there is another link to Free People Montana Cable Cardigan, $148 at Free People. It did not take very long to get to an eCommerce site to possible make a transaction.  The link also had an affiliate code in the link so the online advertiser could credit to the recommendation but also the Free People could see where the referring link came from and grab my IP address info (time, location, date).  The data mining could be endless. And honestly, I still do not know the prices of bananas in Montana.

Monitoring clicks streams is big business.   They can determine where you stop in purchase on an ecommerce or travel sites.  Blakey, managing director at the Norman Lear Center  dedicates her professional time studying the impact of media, seeking to better understand the role that media plays in changing knowledge, attitudes and behavior among individuals and communities, large and small, around the world.  We know the impact is large but not sure we fully understand the rest of the story until more research is done.

Mass media plays a powerful role in shaping our social norms, attitudes, and behavior on a wide variety of issues, and could be a highly effective medium for promoting change. One example, has been a recent social media campaign to end child marriage.

As part of the United Nations goal – they are calling the world to end child marriage.  The organization  UNFPA-UNICEF Global Programme to End Child Marriage (GPECM) was created in 2016 to monitor the program and create advocacy and awareness.  It is a huge initiative for UNICEF, the United Nations, and European Union.  Social media campaigns have forced governments to take action.  When used for advocacy positive outcomes and can present themselves.  On Twitter from  “Accelerating the pace to end child marriage by 2030. Sustained and scaled-up funding is required to achieve the goal of ending child marriage for each and every girl.”  #endchildmarriage

Child marriage threatens the lives and future of girls. Watch the video to know how @UNICEF with the ongoing partnership with the European Union, is working to reduce the risks facing adolescent girls by empowering them and inspiring other girls, to be active and capable of change.

Non-profits create social media campaigns and cobrand with other organizations to get out the message.

Other non-profits can jump on board and share the collateral already created. Often times  the  campaign materials have different sizes and translated into different languages for a greater reach.  With out the digital options the campaigns would not be as accessible or have a far reach.

"Online marketing analytics systems allow organizations to view and assess, in real time, the impact of their social media messages. It also allows organizations to personalize and narrow messages for specific demographic segments in ways that mass media cannot " (Mercadal, 2023).  This summarizes things the best.  Online marketers have flexibilities and multiply strategies to get out the messages.

References

Mercadal, T. (2023). Social media marketing. Salem Press Encyclopedia.