Scrubs & Beyond springs into the new season

When you look at scrubs today, you realize just how much things have changed. Go into any hospital or doctor’s office, and you see color, color everywhere.

When my mother was a young woman working in a hospital, scrubs were standard-issue garments. They were strictly uniforms. What Mom would have given to have the opportunity to “look cute” while wearing comfy scrubs during her workday – and to browse through a scrubs catalog.

If you work in health care, you’ll love the wide selection of styles and bright colors at Scrubs & Beyond. The site offers several brand names, ranging from Dickies to Baby Phat. The garments can be quite trendy. The animal print scrubs are particularly eye-catching. Women can look professional and attractive at the same time. There are styles for men and women in broad range of sizes.

If you’re a nurse, check out the nursing clog shoes. They come in fashionable colors to complement your scrubs. They’re also ergonomically constructed keep you comfortable for your entire shift. If you’d prefer more traditional nursing shoes, they’re available, too.

Spring into the new season with apparel from Scrubs & Beyond. You’ll find scrubs, shoes, and other accessories to meet your professional needs. And the prices are easy on your wallet.

Getting started with Twitter

The business world is abuzz with Twitter, but many people are unclear on what it is or use this social networking tool. If you could some help in getting started, CIO.com offers some easy-to-understand tips:

How to Sign Up for Twitter

1. Twitter.com Click on the "Join the Conversation" button in middle of the page.

2. Fill out basic information. This will include your full name, preferred user name, password and e-mail address. Remember that the user name is what people will see with an "@" symbol in front of it.

3. See if your friends are on Twitter. After you fill out basic info, you'll be prompted to look for friends in your Gmail, Yahoo, MSN, Hotmail or AOL accounts so you can begin following them if they're already on the service.

4. Twitter's suggestions. Twitter will suggest some people for you to follow as well. Check to see if anyone of them are relevant.

5. Setting up your profile. Click on "settings" in the upper right hand corner of your Twitter home page. You'll be brought to a tab-based menu that helps you build your profile and adjust settings.

6. Fill in the fields. Of particular importance is the "one line bio" under the "Account" tab. You have 160 characters to present yourself to the Twitter community. Many people choose to state their profession, and then maybe something outside of work that interests them as well. CIO's C.G. Lynch (@cglynch), for instance, has the following: "Staff Writer at CIO, New England Sports Fan."

7. Start looking for followers Regardless of how many people you found through e-mail search and Twitter's suggestions, start looking around for people you might find interesting. Use search.twitter.com.

Want to learn more? Click here.


Tags: Twitter, Social Media, Social Networking, Technology, Business, Media by Sistrunk

Colleges consider e-textbooks to cut costs

It's a sign of the times. On campuses around the country, professors and students are selecting digital versions of textbooks that can be read off of a computer screen.

Blame it on skyrocketing costs in higher education. One college textbook can cost as much as $200. E-book versions cost about half of that.

Northwest Missouri State University is the first school to try to go entirely book-free, as National Public Radio reports.

Tags: E-Books, E-Textbooks, Higher Education, Northwest Missouri State University, Media by Sistrunk

Offbeat news

Car Thief Caught Trapped in Target Vehicle

A bungling Australian car thief was nabbed after accidentally locking himself in the vehicle he was trying to steal. (Reuters)

Computer Crashed by Earthworm

A British man said the worm that caused his computer to crash turned out not to be a form of computer virus but an actual 5-inch earthworm. (UPI)

Man Stabs Son for Wearing Hat in Church (Associated Press)

Police said a 58-year-old man stabbed his teenage son after he refused to take off his hat at church earlier in the day. (Associated Press)

Tags: Strange News, Media by Sistrunk

Yahoo ties ads more closely to browsing behavior

Yahoo has introduced several tools that it says will help marketers target their ads more efficiently at a time when many of them are cutting advertising spending drastically.

One of the new products lets marketers target people with tailored display ads based on the terms they used in Yahoo's search engine.

Another tool customizes display ads based on the websites people have visited and their activity on those sites.

An "enhanced retargeting" feature is capable of generating personalized ads in certain cases. For example, someone searching on the Yahoo network for flights could be enticed with special deals based on the cities they are traveling between.

Yahoo will also introduce a search advertising tool next month that lets marketers control what time and day of the week they want their ads to run, and what age group or gender they want to target.

Yahoo has been struggling to retain market share against bigger rival Google. Although Yahoo's advertising business has suffered from the recession, it hopes the new technology will make its ad options more compelling.


Tags: Yahoo, Microsoft, Google, Business, Marketing, Advertising, Media by Sistrunk

Zenni Optical: Seeing straight on a budget

I’m ready to update my look. No, I’m not talking about buying a new dress or adding to my shoe collection. I need to buy a new pair of eyeglasses.

I want my eyewear to make a fashion statement. And in these economic times, I want to make that fashion statement on a budget.

I was pleasantly surprised to find a helpful New York Times story that offers some great advice on choosing prescription glasses. As I scanned the article, my eyes stopped when I got to the part about comparison-shopping. For me, the tip of the day came when I clicked on the link that displayed eyeglasses on the Zenni Optical website. What a find!

There are so many great styles to choose from that won’t break my pocketbook. I really don’t follow fashion trends. I just pick what’s right for me. It didn't take long for my eyes to lock on the ones. They're stainless steel, just what I need. I didn’t even have to deliberate about the color. I love purple, and these frames come in a purple/silver color. The cost – under $30. Perfect!

Check out Zenni Optical. The company sells its own manufactured frames directly to the customer, so there’s no markup. The pricing and broad range of styles will surprise you.

Gmail crash results in worldwide outage

Google's Internet mail service, Gmail, stopped working in the wee hours of the morning, leaving users unable to access their email accounts.

The service interruption caused problems worldwide. The U.S. was less affected by the outage, unless you're nocturnal and work at odd hours, as this writer does. I was in the middle of correspondence with someone in Southeast Asia when my service went down.

Over 113 million people use this email service provided by Google worldwide, according to industry analysts.

Professional Gmail users are covered by a service agreement promising to be 99.9% operational in any calendar month.

The Gmail help page carried the following statement:

A number of users have had difficulty accessing Gmail today. The majority are now able to access their email accounts again and we're hoping to have service restored for the remainder very soon. We know how important Gmail is to our users, so we take issues like this very seriously, and we apologise for the inconvenience.

There was also a post on the Google blog.

Those who thrive on communicating in real time sent thousands of Twitter messages carrying the words "gmail" or "gfail". Vnunet.com in the UK reported that users panicked when the Google mail service crashed. Some Gmail users took the service interruption in stride, but many did not, as is evidenced by this message:














Tags: Google, Google Mail, Gmail, Technology, Media by Sistrunk

Serengeti sunglasses

Whenever I'm out and about, my sunglasses are always nearby. I can't imagine life without them. I like looking life straight in the eye without having to blink. My eyes act as windows to my soul. They focus on where I'm going and photograph where I've been.

Serengeti sunglasses protect your orbs without sacrificing style. Serengeti offers a variety of styles at an affordable price. Designer and prescription eyewear are available.

The driver's sunglasses got my attention immediately because I spend so much time in my car and in the field. I need the darkest glasses I can find to protect my eyes from the brightest sunshine.

If you're like me, you like options. Classic looks, designer styles, prescription glasses and aviators. Serengeti has them all.

Microsoft unveils new online employment resource

Microsoft has created a website, Elevate America, which is aimed at improving access to job training tools.

According to the software giant, the site provides resources to help individuals gain the technical skills needed for acquiring jobs. The economy has led to the loss of 3.6 million jobs since the recession began in December 2007. About half of the decline occurred in the last three months, recent Labor Department data revealed.

The website provides access to several Microsoft online training programs, including how to use the Internet, send e-mail and create a resume, as well as more advanced programs on using specific Microsoft applications.


Related: Microsoft Hopes To Train 2 Million In IT By 2012


Tags: Microsoft, Elevate America, Online Training, Job Training, Technology, Internet, Business, Recession, Media by Sistrunk

Alium matches executive resources to business needs

Managing change is a skill. Managing transformation demands expertise, especially at a time when change has become the norm in so many business environments.

Alium Interim Management is the leading independent provider of high-level interim executives in the UK. When an organization needs a guiding hand to oversee and deliver essential business transformation, Alium’s cadre of senior-level professionals can provide the experience and inspiring leadership required on an interim basis.

Such leadership is effective in a number of scenarios: turning around an organization in decline; delivering a step-change in performance; surging into new markets; comprehensively restructuring an ailing division; guiding businesses through IPOs, mergers or acquisition. Alium serves the private and public sectors with high-level interim executives, operating from its offices in the heart of the City of London.

These management professionals, in addition to their business acumen, bring charisma, courage and composure - characteristics valued by any organization. For details on how the process works, click here.

Attention Oscar winners: No laundry list of thank-yous, please!

As I was giving myself a mental reminder to watch the Academy Awards show, and hoping with all fervor that winners would keep their acceptance speeches short, I came across the musings of Dan Zak of the Washington Post. Zak shared an interesting observation about actors at awards presentations:

The Brits are experts at delivering brief, engaging speeches that are both methodical and seemingly improvised. Take a cue from Alec Guinness, who, while accepting a lifetime achievement award in 1980, told an anecdote from his drama school days and then relieved the teaching-moment tension with self-deprecation: The greatest lesson from acting class, he said, "was to do absolutely nothing at all. And that is, more or less, what I've done since then." A bit of irony -- he's confessing that his secret is doing nothing while he's holding an Oscar for his 50-year career! -- turns the speech into a performance piece in and of itself.

The piece is titled, most appropriately, Speech 101: Make It a Class Act. It's cleverly written. Check it out.


Tags: Academy Awards, Oscars, Acceptance Speeches, Public Speaking, Verbal Performance, Media by Sistrunk

Millennium Trailers

My friend Kay knows everything there is to know about horses. Not only is she a walking encyclopedia, she knows the best way to feed them, board them, and transport them.

The show season is underway, and reliable transportation is crucial. Millennium Trailers has horse trailers for sale that meet a variety of needs. This go-to company has essentially everything required to guarantee the safety and comfort of your animals. When you visit the company website, you’ll find that you have lots of options. You can even design a trailer to your own specifications.

Don’t miss the opportunity to take a virtual tour or view the photo gallery. No matter what model you choose, you’re guaranteed a product that’s built to last.

This nationwide distributor delivers to nearly every state. Any horse trailer you decide upon represents an important investment. You can count on the Millennium staff to give you great customer service and a deal that's budget friendly. Representatives will take as much time as necessary to answer all of your questions and show you how everything works. Even after you take delivery of your trailer, you can expect a call to make sure you’re satisfied with the product.

While you’re visiting the Millennium Trailers website, make sure you check out the testimonials. They’re further proof that this company goes the extra mile.

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Quotes of the week

You need chaos in your soul to give birth to a dancing star.
~ Nietzsche ~

Thoughts give birth to a creative force that is neither elemental nor sidereal. Thoughts create a new heaven, a new firmament, a new source of energy, from which new arts flow. When a man undertakes to create something, he establishes a new heaven.
~ Philipus A Paracelsus ~


Don´t ask what the world needs.
Rather ask – what makes you come alive?
Then go and do it!
Because what the world needs is people
who have come alive.
~ Howard Thurman ~

Web Hosting Geeks

For several years, I’ve made it a point to keep a couple of tech buddies on speed dial – colleagues with technical knowledge I’ll never have. These friends are geeks of the first order – experts in their field – and I can’t imagine life without them.

If you’re in the market for new web hosting, look for experts in the field. Web Hosting Geeks can serve as your one-stop-shop for information. Their site features independent reviews of the best web hosting sites. If you’re working on a tight budget – and most of us are – Web Hosting Geeks will identify providers that charge modest fees while giving you first-class service.

Web hosting is an art, so look for a provider that best fits your needs. Pick a company that has a good reputation within the industry, and let Web Hosting Geeks help. Their site has been offering reviews, ratings, and awards since 2004. On the site, you’ll find an important list - the Top 10 Web Hosts for 2008. I’m checking out one provider in particular because the company offers a number of goodies, is inexpensive, and has the distinction of being the editor’s choice.

If you’re looking for user-friendly guides that are full of resources, check out Web Hosting Geeks. They fit the bill.

Improve your writing in 60 seconds

Successful business writing must be concise and precise in order for you to reap rewards. Typically, you have about 30 to 60 seconds to engage your reader. If you can't capture the reader's attention immediately, expect your document to hit the "circular file," that is, the trash can.

• Avoid awkward sentences.
• Use active verbs.
• Read your document out loud to make sure it makes sense.
• Use a second set of eyes to proofread your document.

Does this mean extra work and time? Absolutely! But if you're interested in selling your services, product or concept, you must give writing your best effort. Let me give you a quick example of how you can take a "sick" sentence and turn it into a "healthy" one. Here is a sentence you might find in business correspondence.

Poorly written sentence: "Recognizing your desire for an improved pricing arrangement, the following is a good approximation of the existing contract with modifications to reflect the agreements we made when we held our meeting."

Say what?? Let's try this again.

Sentence that gets results: "We realize you want a better pricing arrangement, so we've modified the contract to reflect what we agreed to when we met."

Remember this: When it comes to effective writing, less is often more.

Tags: Writing, Business Writing, Media by Sistrunk

Learning about mesothelioma

If you listen to the radio or watch TV on a daily basis, chances are you’ve heard something about mesothelioma. But what is it?

Mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer. It occurs in the lining of the body’s internal organs. Most people who develop this illness have worked on jobs where they’ve inhaled asbestos particles. Because the cancer can be deadly if left untreated, it’s important to build awareness about this illness and its symptoms. Early detection can prolong or save someone’s life.

Working with asbestos is the major risk factor for mesothelioma. Asbestos has been mined and used commercially since the late 1800s. Its use greatly increased during World War II. Since the early 1940s, millions of American workers have been exposed to asbestos dust. Those exposed often inhaled or swallowed the dust.

Asbestos exposure often occurred in manufacturing. Shipyard work also posed risks, as did certain jobs involving construction, chemical plants, and power plants. A history of asbestos exposure at work is reported in about 70 percent to 80 percent of all cases. For this reason, it’s important for people who have worked around asbestos to be screened. If you have parents or grandparents who may have been exposed, encourage them to see a health professional for screening

A mesothelioma blog is dedicated to building awareness of this illness. Click here to learn more about mesothelioma symptoms and treatment, as well as how this cancer is diagnosed.

The future of reading

School librarians are increasingly teaching digital skills, but they often become the first casualties of budget crunches. In a video report, the New York Times takes a look at how the Internet and other technologies are changing the way people read.

Related: In Web Age, Library Job Gets Update


Tags: Reading, Language Arts, Librarians, Technology, K-12, Media by Sistrunk

Exploring the ABCs of web hosting

If you’re looking for a way to promote your business or product, chances are you’ve thought about establishing a strong online presence. You may even have personal reasons for creating a site. That’s where Web Hosting Choice comes in. This free research guide helps users choose the right web host.

If you want a site that makes strong impact, it's important that you select the host that best suits your business or personal needs. Web Hosting Choice points you in the right direction – by offering a list of providers rated the highest in the industry. These sites are rated based on several criteria, including affordability, reliability, and tech support.

The research guide is simple to use. Support is readily available for those new to the web hosting process. Want to learn more? Check out Web Hosting Choice’s comprehensive FAQ page.

Offbeat news

Howls of Protest Greet Tango E-Mail

An email promoting a tango concert set off howls of protest in offices across Washington as recipients seeking to unsubscribe were hit by a flood of further unsolicited messages.
(Agence France Presse)

Dunkin' Donuts Clerk Slashed Customer's Tires

Instead of getting a coffee from Dunkin' Donuts, police say, a customer got his four tires slashed by an angry clerk.
(MetroWest Daily News)

Woman Uses Wedgie to Capture Suspected Thief

It took a wedgie and a headlock to pin down a man suspected of breaking into a car.
(Associated Press)

Tags: Strange News, Media by Sistrunk

Rumors, rumors everywhere!

One of my biggest pet peeves is receiving urban legends and hoaxes via email. My favorite site to use in researching such stories is Snopes.com.

Snopes has compiled it's "25 Hottest Urban Legends." According to the website, Barack Obama, cell phones, and missing child alerts are among the current hot topics.

To learn more about the popular email rumors, and whether they're true, click here. If you're not familiar with Snopes.com, I encourage you to click through the site. Bookmark it. It's a great reference.



Tags: Urban Legends, Email, Internet, Technology, Media 101, Media by Sistrunk

Too many looks spoil the prose

Letting too many people comment on the style and substance of a document you have written is a surefire way to slow down progress. It also hampers communication.

The reason is simple. People who review the document feel compelled to change a word, add a phrase or leave some other imprint, even if the copy is well written. Unfortunately, some people equate wordiness with effective writing. Some even insist on imposing out-of-date grammar and writing styles. And let's be honest. Some people simply cannot write.

If you've ever faced this problem, there is a solution: Restrict comments on style to only one or two colleagues who are skilled enough to make such comments. From the others, insist that they read only for substance and accuracy. Always make the case for simple and concise writing, and stick to your guns.


Tags: Writing, Media by Sistrunk

Signing the stimulus bill

Many media reports portray President Obama's trip to Denver (where he's set to sign the stimulus bill this morning) and Phoenix as an attempt to boost popular support for his economic agenda. The Los Angeles Times says the tour "reflects a decision by the president to escape the Beltway and touch base with the rest of the country at least once a week" and a recognition "that congressional Republicans were gaining traction in the debate."

Politico, meanwhile, says that "in turning their fire on the capital's process-and-power-obsessed political class," Obama's aides are "actually indulging in a time-honored Beltway tradition." The Washington Post reports that in addition to the "gales of Republican criticism," the President "is...facing quieter misgivings from liberal Democrats who say the bill does not go far enough." On its front page, the New York Times notes that Obama did gain the support of several Republican governors. John Aloysius Farrell, writing for U.S. News and World Report, offers 7 Reasons Why Obama Bipartisanship Lives.

Why sign the historic stimulus bill in Denver? It's unlikely that this is an arbitrary decision by the White House. For President Obama, Denver represents one of the high points of his campaign - when he accepted the Democratic nomination.



Tags: Obama, Politics, Media, Media by Sistrunk

Pharmacy technician schools offer rewarding careers

I am a strong believer in career education. I’ve seen many students receive marketable skills that provide them with the opportunity to go straight from school into fields of their choice.

Pharmacy technician schools train workers who play an increasingly important role in health care. At some point and time, we all interact with these skilled employees. It’s no surprise that demand is high for men and women in this field. If you’re considering a career as a pharmacy technician, visit Career-Education.net. This site lists schools nationwide that offer diploma programs in this field. Considering a career in this important field? Find the school near you.

Pharmacy technicians work under the direct supervision of pharmacists. Technicians assist pharmacists with filling prescriptions, entering prescriptions into the computer, and maintaining records. Pharmacists depend on technicians to free up their time for a myriad of important responsibilities, including patient consultation. Pharmacy technicians typically are the first point of contact for customers. I've encountered many over the years who are compassionate and have great customer service skills. People will always need medication, so a good pharmacy technician can expect to have job security.

Pharmacy technician schools also train pharmacy assistants and pharmacy office assistants. Do you have the training you need for the career you want? If not, click here to find the pharmacy technician school near you.

Bankrolling a worthy cause, sort of

“Tag - you're it.”

That’s the message my blogging buddy Ian sent me a couple of days ago, along with a directive to check his site for details. Little did I know that the topic would be (loosely) related the economic bailout. I'm now get to decide who gets the bankroll.

This financial rescue plan comes with a twist. It has to be for a worthy cause, and it is merely hypothetical. But I still have to come up with a proposal.

Does the scenario offer me the opportunity to give away billions? Noooooo. Instead, I have to be compassionate on a budget of $5,000. Five grand probably wouldn’t fill up the fuel tank of an automaker’s corporate jet. Nor would it begin to finance the movie that filmmaker Michael Moore wants to make. In case you missed it, Moore, who says the Wall Street bailout is “the biggest swindle in American history,” is asking bankers to help him make a movie proving it. Yeah, he really said that. Good luck, Michael!

Anyway, back to the task at hand – coming up with a bailout plan with redeeming social value. Lots of ideas swirled in my mind, but one stood out. It involves the helping the homeless.

A few days ago, the Washington Post reported that our nation’s schools are seeing a sharp rise in homelessness among students. The article’s first two sentences commanded my attention immediately.

The economic plunge has generated a growing wave of children nationwide who are sleeping in shelters, motels, spare bedrooms or even the family van as their parents seek to keep them in school. Educators are scrambling to help, with extra tutoring, clothes, food and cab fare.

There’s more, but the details are heartbreaking. According to the National Law Center on Homeless and Poverty, approximately 3.5 million people, more than one million of them children, are likely to experience homelessness in a given year.

My proposal, then, would be to use the $5,000 to adopt one family with children currently living in a shelter. Lots of homeless families have parents who work. Since we only have $5,000 to spend, let’s make sure the family has working adults. We want this effort to be successful and long-lasting.

The cash would go towards setting the family up in an apartment or house. It would be applied to rent payments and utilities for a period of time, along with purchases to cover basic needs (such as household items and food).

To make this proposal work, there needs to be collaboration involving a homeless shelter and local agencies that can offer additional resources. Perhaps a church would be willing to donate food and clothing. If we could find an individual or organization that would donate furniture that’s new or moderately used, that would leave more money to put directly into housing and utility payments. If the parents are underemployed, we’d engage an agency that offers job leads and employment counseling for an agreed upon period of time. A social worker could check on the family from time to time to make sure that they’re on their way to being financially independent.

The payoff would be huge, especially for the kids. Because the children would live in their own homes with their families, they’d once again be on track to lead normal lives. School-age kids could focus on their class work without the distractions that come with living in a shelter or other precarious situations. With some planning, students wouldn’t experience the academic and social disconnects associated with frequently changing schools.

I’m not a social worker, nor am I charged with working with the homeless. I’m sure there would be a myriad of logistics to work out. However, I think this plan is feasible. With collaboration, dedication and a well-thought-out plan, we could get a family back on its feet. The family’s return to economic independence would, of course, benefit the community. The $5,000 start-up and a little sweat would make it all worthwhile.

So how else could we implement a $5,000 bailout for the greater good? I believe Rose, Andre, and Ms. Cornelius could come up with several creative ideas. You're on, guys!


Tags: Economy, Homeless, Social Good, Media by Sistrunk

The Obama Effect

By Bonnie M. Davis, Ph.D.

Last month, I watched the inauguration of our new president, Barack Obama. He is a role model for all of us in so many ways. However, the fact he is the first African-American U.S. president means there is finally a visual role model of a Person of Color at the highest level of power in this country. This changes all of us - Black, Brown, Yellow, Red, White - and we are speaking out. I can look into the eyes of my first grandchild who has four grandparents who all look different - Mexican, Black, Puerto Rican, White - and believe her world will continue to change.

We have not yet achieved a post-racial society, as some are saying, but I believe this election has opened the door to the possibility. It won't be in my lifetime, but I also believe Eva will grow up to greater possibilities in a multi-colored spectrum of power holders.

The world is changing. Role models matter.

I've heard some say having role models of their own color or gender is not all that important. Yet when I hear these comments, they usually come from those who often see themselves portrayed as power brokers.

It reminds me of my recent television viewing. I did a lot of it in December and January when I was laid up with pneumonia. I noticed again and again how prime time shows mostly center around men, and movies shown in prime time mostly have male protagonists. In fact, so much so, that when The Jane Austen Book Club was shown, and I watched a movie with mostly women stars, I was struck by how different it felt to see my gender monopolizing the film. Perhaps not a perfect comparison to our political and racial situation at this time, but it is one that points out to me the necessity to see ourselves, no matter who we are, in positions of power reflected back to us.

Now when millions of school children look at President Obama, they see a role model who looks like them. Does it make a difference? I think it does. In fact, there is a study out (already!) that says it does. It is called The Obama Effect and was described in an article by Sam Dillon in the New York Times on January 23, 2009.

The study is authored by three professors and has already drawn comments by Dr. Ronald F. Ferguson, a Harvard professor who studies the factors that have affected the achievement gap between white and nonwhite students. Initially, when 472 Americans took the test last summer, there was an achievement gap between whites and nonwhites. But on the tests administered immediately after President Obama's acceptance speech and just after his election victory, black performance improved, making the white-black gap "statistically nonsignificant."

We'll have to wait to see how and if The Obama Effect plays out in our classrooms, but in the meantime, there are things we can do:

• Set classroom discussion norms, and then allow your students to discuss what this presidency means to them.
• Continue to post pictures of role models from all backgrounds throughout your school.
• Teach your students media literacy. Ask students to observe the ethnicities and genders of the experts used by the media. Who are the power brokers? How do the media mold our perceptions?

It is truly exciting to be in the field of education in these times. So much change and so much opportunity. Please contact me with suggestions you would like to share.

I'm looking forward to spring, good health, and a time when all students see themselves successfully portrayed in all walks of life.


© 2009 Bonnie M. Davis


Bonnie M. Davis is a teacher, consultant, presenter, mentor and writer. She heads A4Achievement Consulting. To learn more about her work, visit EducatingforChange.com.


Tags: Obama, Obama Effect, Multicultural, Diversity, Race, Role Models, Achievement Gap, K-12, Bonnie Davis, Educating for Change, Media by Sistrunk

Authors find alternatives to traditional publishing

Writers struggling to find a publisher are taking the high-tech, grass-roots approach. Snubbed by traditional publishers, these authors are turning to podcasts to find new audiences.

Authors utilizing new media will often tell you that not many people have actually read their works. How many have listened to them, though, is a different story.

Tags: Books, Podcasts, Publishing, Writing, Media by Sistrunk

Using comics as a tool to improve classroom performance

Interest is growing among teachers and researchers in using “graphica” as a means of promoting literacy and other academic skills. Last month Fordham University’s graduate school of education in New York City hosted what was billed as the first academic conference on “Graphica in Education.” The event drew 125 teachers, scholars, artists, and publishers from across the country and featured a myriad of presentations.

The term “graphica” takes in “manga,” which are Japanese-style graphic novels; “art graphic novels,” which refer to both fiction and nonfiction literary works that blend visuals and text; and more traditional comic books, such as X-Men, Spiderman, and Batman. According to researchers, several studies suggest that students who read comics go on to read more. Reportedly, these students also display an interest in more varied literature.

The academic interest comes as sales of graphic literature are exploding worldwide. Even libraries and book stores in the United States are setting up special displays. Educators are using the medium for a variety of purposes, including as a bridge to full literacy for English-language learners and struggling readers; a tool for discussing sensitive social issues; a subject for lessons on visual literacy; a vehicle for ethics discussion in classes with gifted students; and a means for nurturing creativity in after-school programs.

Still, advocates for the educational uses of comics admit that some educators still don't recognize these publications as acceptable forms of literature for classroom use. Education Week has more. (Registration required.)


Tags: Comics, Reading, Literacy, ELL, Critical Thinking, Struggling Readers, Creativity, K-12, Media by Sistrunk

Quote of the week

It is not your environment;
It is not your history;
It is not your education or ability;
It is the quality of your mind
that predicts your future.
~ Benjamin E. Mays~

Obama continues to engage new media

More than 49 million Americans watched President Barack Obama's first White House news conference on broadcast and cable television, according to ratings figures released on Tuesday. The figure does not include those who watched Monday's news conference over the Internet, which has been a key venue for Obama supporters to follow him.

For some media types and bloggers, the news coming out of the prime-time press conference is that Obama took a question from a blogger representing The Huffington Post. The President made time for only 13 questions, and this marked the first time a president has acknowledged a blogger during a prime-time event. Media outlets left out included the Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, and Newsweek. The journalists were pre-selected by the White House.

The choice to include a blogger turned some heads. But perhaps we shouldn't be too surprised. After all, Obama is the first president to openly engage new media. Also, the fact that an online publication like The Huffington Post is thriving seems to signal an evolution in journalism.



Tags: Obama, Blogging, Blogs, New Media, Media by Sistrunk

Obama courts the press

America's new president is coming off a very rough week. Barack Obama returns to campaign mode this week - with carefully chosen stops and a prime-time press conference. His challenge is to recapture the magic of his campaign for reasons his effort to govern a nation during turbulent times.

To no surprise, all media outlets are scrutinizing Obama, looking for public relations and political blunders. The media typically gives a new president some space during his first 100 days, but that hasn't happened with Obama. Mainstream media and bloggers write voluminously about the lack of strong leadership. Many ask what happened to that powerful engine of change.

The Obama administration, attempting to stay focused while facing the fire, rolled out full media blitz, as ABC News senior political reporter Rick Klein writes. According to Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun-Times, the campaign includes the bully pulpit, social networking, [and] phone banks.



Tags: Obama, Politics, Media, PR, Media by Sistrunk