Fun Stuff Category Archive
Tue, May 07, 2013
Democracy is Us website launched
As a creative project developed in response to the Looking at Democracy Challenge, I recently launched a new website at http://democracyis.us/active. If you like the project, I would appreciate your vote of encouragement. Voting for the Popular Choice Award runs from May 6-16, 2013.
The project seeks to promote conflict resolution in education as a core foundation for democratic living. I had some fun with the design, developing a “parallax” side scrolling scene where a biker rides along the “pathway to democracy” passing various reminders of good practice. You can even swap bikes if you prefer a different ride than the initial high wheel bike. Also included is a timeline of examples of people-powered nonviolent actions for change and a calendar that lists information on world holidays, peacemaker birthdays and more. At the center of the site, however, are the videos showing a selection of good examples of conflict resolution education (broadly defined) being enacted in schools and communities. Also provided are some core resources should the viewer decide to try and implement some of these ideas where they are.
Here’s the entry description:
Democracy works best with an educated citizenry who have developed skills of conflict resolution, public engagement, and civility as part of their schooling experience. This proposal harkens back to the philosophy of education espoused by pragmatist John Dewey in his 1916 book Democracy in Education, while looking forward at the positive strides being made in conflict resolution skills development in education. Democracy can get us where we need to go, but it is human-powered. Making it work requires a proper education and the ability to work with others often unlike ourselves. However, by getting involved and engaging with others we can all look forward to an interesting and productive journey. Democracy is us! Ride on!
Also, please check out the prezi, embedded below, that I developed to explain the project’s focus.
I was hoping to include a bike riding game on the site, wherein the biker has to navigate some tricky terrain and avoid various obstacles to democratic practice, but I ran out of time, so I guess it will have to wait till after the contest wraps up in June when I’ll be free to make additional changes to the site. In any case, I do hope you like it and share the site with others. Ride on!
Sun, Oct 11, 2009
Collection of Political Cartoons on Obama’s Receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize
Here’s a fascinating (and sometimes funny or a bit painful) collection of the political cartoons reacting to the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Barack Obama. It was pulled together by Daryl Cagle’s Political Cartoonist Index site.
Thu, Oct 01, 2009
CR Day Drawing to Win Free Conflict Resolution Education Games
As part of the International Conflict Resolution Day festivities, the Conflict Resolution Education Connection that I run is hosting a giveaway of conflict resolution educational games. If you are over 18 years old and are affiliated with either a K-12 school or a college or university you can enter to win.
The Grand Prize winner will get copies of both Harmony Island: A Conflict Resolution Tropical Adventure (appropriate for grades 6-12) and a Cool School: Where Peace Rules! USB flash drive package with great educational resources preloaded (appropriate for grades K-3), and a special Teachers Calendar providing lots of Conflict Resolution tools and tips.
We will be giving away 4 additional copies of each game (in addition to the Grand Prize pair). When you complete the entry form (link is located in our CR Interactives collection of games pages) you’ll need to let us know which of the two games you prefer. (Get more info on Harmony Island or Cool School on that page).
Winners will be chosen at noon (Eastern Time) on International Conflict Resolution Day and alerted via email. Good luck!
Mon, May 25, 2009
PowerPoint Game Templates
Educators interested in adding some interactivity to their presentations will appreciate the work already done for you in these PowerPoint Game Templates provided courtesy of the Jefferson County Schools in Dandridge, TN.
Available templates include:
Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader
Password
Wheel of Fortune
Jeopardy
Who Wants to be a Millionaire
Twenty Questions
Guess the Covered Word
Holiday Squares
Weakest Link
Concentration
Sat, Jan 17, 2009
The Dream Continued - Songs Inspired by MLK
TheDreamContinued.org is a creative music project celebrating the spirit of Martin Luther King through music and raising money for non-profits that King would have been proud of. The project was started by Maya Armstrong, who happens to be the daughter of my OTL colleague Anne-Marie Armstrong, on MLK Day in 2008. While listening to a recently discovered sermon of Dr. King’s Maya decided to write a song celebrating King’s voice and vision and to put out a call to other musicians. The result a year later is really exciting. There are now free downloads of 30 truly inspiring songs that are also available for purchase on two CDs entitled DREAM ON! (folk-Americana-indie rock styles on one disc and R&B, jazz, world, gospel on the other). Listeners are invited to donate to a number of good causes and to send pictures of themselves flashing their peace sign. Here’s more description of the project from the site:
Our vision can be summarized by two quotes of Dr. King’s:
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
“Hate cannot drive out hate: Only love can do that.”
These two quotes encompass much of Dr. King’s message. The first addresses the what: the importance of recognizing and standing up to injustices in society, and the second implies the how: to effect true and lasting change, we must first begin with our own hearts.
Furthermore, we recognize that Dr. King’s dream neither began nor ended with him. It is our intention to help build a community that tolerates neither racism nor any other divisive “ism” and that continues to actively work toward a positive, peaceful future.
The overall message conveyed by the songs in the Dream On! compilation is positive and uplifting yet thought-provoking. It is at once a celebration of the progress we’ve made and a challenge to recognize and stand up to continuing injustices in our society and in the world at large.
Sat, Mar 22, 2008
Facade - Interactive Game that Draws You into the Drama
A company called Interactive Story has created a “interactive drama of one act” called Facade in which you play as a party guest witnessing the unfolding of a marital conflict. You have no single objective: you can heighten the tension by flirting with one spouse or the other; try to reconcile the couple, or just watch as the scene unfolds. You interact with the game by moving around the apartment and picking up items or by typing comments to add to the dialogue. The game uses an Artificial Intelligence (AI) engine to drive the game. Depending on what you say (or in this case type), the narrative goes in a different direction. The game is a free download, available for both Window and Macintosh platforms. The advanced nature of the characters’ AI may signal a coming change the gaming landscape, creating new opportunities for interaction and learning.
Conflict Resolution practitioners may find it challenging to be caught in the middle of a clearly conflicted relationship. How will you handle it? Check out this video trailer from the game to get a better feel for the experience or download a copy and try it for yourself.
Fri, Mar 14, 2008
Mediation in Higher Ed - Like an Argument with Boxing Gloves?
The Times Higher Education, at their newly revamped website, recently published a story discussing a visit to the UK from folks at the Georgia State University-based Consortium on Negotiation and Conflict Resolution, leaders in systemic conflict resolution within Higher Education in the United States. The story is entitled “Experts outline a collegial way to resolve conflict”. What struck me as funny was the quote from a professor supporting the notion of mediation in higher education. He notes that mediation, when compared to current grievance systems, “is almost like getting back to the old days where academics used to be able to have a good argument with everyone wearing the same size boxing gloves.” Oh really?
Tue, Jun 19, 2007
Make Beliefs Comix Creator
Now you can create your own comix strip online with the fast and easy Make Beliefs Comix Online Educational Comic Generator (for Kids of All Ages). The Flash-based tool lets you build multi-panel comics with talk or thought balloons that can be printed (to a pdf on my mac) or emailed to others. The site was created by Bill Zimmerman, author of Make Beliefs: A Gift for Your Imagination and illustrator Tom Bloom.
Wed, Apr 25, 2007
Animated New Yorker Magazine Cartoons
Thanks to Ringtales, you can now laugh along with animated New Yorker cartoons, and receive new ones three times a week as they are released via a podcast feed. Great fun.
Wed, Feb 28, 2007
Virginia is for Peacemakers - New Peace License Plate for Virginia
The American University International Peace and Conflict Resolution blog reports that
The Virginia General Assembly has approved the production of a new specialty license plate that will promote community peacebuilding and contribute to the financial support of community conflict resolution centers across the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Virginia “Peace Plate,” was designed by Roanoker Liz Frankl.
Before DMV can begin to manufacture the plates, 350 vehicle owners need to agree in advance to purchase the plates. Application forms are available at (see http://www.vaccr.org/peaceplate.htm or can be obtained by sending a self-addressed and stamped envelope to VACCR Plate, c/o Conflict Resolution Center, P.O. Box 1185, Roanoke, VA 24006.
The tagline is “Community Peacebuilding”. Great idea!
Sat, Dec 23, 2006
Chasm - a Challenging Game for Puzzle Solvers
Some talented game developers in Australia got together at the Game On site and they have produced some really cool games. Game On is an initiative designed to foster, develop and support innovation in Australia’s digital media industry. Check out Chasm and see if you can be a hero and save the town! (requires Flash 6 or higher)
Thu, Sep 28, 2006
Online Motivational Poster Maker
For a bit of fun or just to express some pent-up creativity, check out this online motivational poster maker. The free online service lets you link to a photo from flickr or another online location or upload one of your own and then add a motivational or humorous phrase.
Thu, Aug 31, 2006
Official Seal Generator
Check out this free online “Official Seal Generator”. Now you too can look official!
Mon, Jul 31, 2006
Higher Ed Cartoons from MatthewHenryHall.com
If you’re looking for a break and some humor, check out these Higher-Ed cartoons from Matthew Henry Hall. There are some real funny ones. For instance, “Publish or Paris” made me laugh. What tickles your funny bone?
Mon, May 01, 2006
Giant Peace Dove Puppet Instructions Set
Jane Goodall and friends have been supporting an annual day of peace actions known as the Roots and Shoots Day of Peace, held on September 30th in conjunction with the UN’s International Day of Peace. In support of the event, groups are invited to download instructions for building a giant Peace Dove Puppet, or if desired a smaller, kid-friendly version with a secret message of peace inside. There is also a song to go with it. Great stuff!
