The Lighthouse Diary Entry 11: The Three Enduring Truths

A colleague from school sent me a link to McCann Truth Central's global study on young people age 16 and 30. This is a follow up on an earlier study made in 2011 in which information about the lifestyle, behavior, attitude and culture of young people were collected to understand them for marketing and branding purposes. Using quantitative interviews and focus group discussions as methods to collect and gather data from eighteen countries including the Philippines, the 2017 report shows interesting findings and not so new information about millennials and the generation Z.

It turns out that millennials and the generation Z are concerned with three things, namely, finding the self, finding people (friends and a community to belong to), and finding one's place or niche in the world. Sounds familiar? We have heard these before and is considered by thinkers and philosophers, past and present as the enduring truths of human existence. Technology, especially social media, play a relevant role in their lives but the quest for these enduring truths remain the same in all age groups, demographics, even. What is remarkable in the study is that, the way young people of this age seek these truths is very much different from their predecessors.

This prompts marketers and branding agents to ask different questions to fully sell or promote an idea. McCann identifies four questions that revolve around the three enduring truths.

1. What is the truth at the heart of a brand (Finding the self)
2. Who are our people (Finding people)
3. What is your meaningful role in the lives of young people (Finding your place in the world)
4. How and where do we earn that role?

How can I use this information in my work in the high school library? I ask my own questions too, as response.

1. What is my role in the lives of young people who seek these truths?
2. As they seek their truths, how can the library and my expertise assist or help them find their truths?
3. How do library services and programs aid them in their search for identity, belongingness, acceptance and accomplishments?

Technology is a game changer, indeed. But let us not forget that there are things in this world that never really change.

Bulletin Board Displays: Digital Citizenship and A Growth Mindset (1 of 2)

This term, our library bulletin board's themes are digital citizenship and growth mindset. The former is part of the library's campaign on #milclicks and the later is the library's advocacy on life skills development. Needless to say, we have books and resources on information literacy, media literacy as well as programs integrating research skills in the content or subject areas. Over the years, activities that promote the readership of fiction and non-fiction books that cover the development of life skills have been set-up. Drumming up the growth mindset this year is our continued commitment to support lifelong learning.

Since a Media and Information Literacy (MIL) program is already in place and the teaching of research skills is being strengthened in content area teaching, I thought of touching on the responsible behavior expected of digital citizens via our library display and bulletin board. Academic integrity and plagiarism are two ideas being emphasized to students by observing correct citation and referencing practices. This is all well and good. But the use of online resources and social media requires courtesy and respect not only evidenced by proper citations and attributions. It is important that netizens behave as people of values, with morals and ethics.

First, netizens need to know basic security measures. Use of passwords and usernames is private and personal. As much as one needs the respect of using his or her own access keys to social media accounts, so does the next person. Second, asking permission when sharing posts and content of another in social media is an act of courtesy. Not everything online or in social media is for free. This means ownership. In this age of fake news and alternative facts, sources of information are often questioned. So, think before you click. Ask permission before you share that meme, photo or image or a news item from a friend's timeline on Facebook. Lastly, netizens need to remember that the things they do online and the posts they make on social media, including the comments, the likes and the messages they circulate from one network to another can be traced. This is called digital footprints.

These digital prints can actually tell so much about who you are and what you are like.

InnovatED: Learn. Unlearn. Relearn.

I will be conducting a three hour workshop on September 13, 2017 during the first National Conference on Technology in Education at the SMX Convention Center, Manila. My session's title is Media in the Time of Social Media: Necessary Skills in Navigating the Multimedia Landscape. 

The World Wide Web, as we know it, is constantly changing. It is no longer a passive  multimedia landscape where people can simply locate and access information. The Web has become a platform for interactivity and participation. A variety of media formats have merged into the Web allowing more opportunities for creativity, opening up of communication channels and collaborative projects.

This session will tackle the dual role of media as tool and message and how it merges into the different Web 2.0 technologies. Participants will be engaged in critical and creative thinking activities that will help them understand the strengths and limitations of blogs, wikis, ePortfolios and social media as instructional and thinking tools, as well as techniques in using different multimedia platforms for teaching and learning. Teachers, school librarians, allied professionals and homeschooling parents will benefit a great deal from the workshop.

For more information on the conference go to InnovatED 2017.

Program can be viewed here and the Registration  to the conference is easy and accessible.

#KwentoRP612 2017

Erica Gonzales has set up #KwentoRP612 over at Facebook. #KwentoRP612 is the celebration and commemoration of Philippine Independence by Filipino writers and creatives. Last year, it focused on flash fiction but, this year the social media campaign extends its reach and width to other art forms.

Below are the details of this year's #KwentoRP612:

Event: #KwentoRP612 2017

Dates: June 10-12 (Saturday 12am to Monday 12mn), 2017
Content: FB-length and Twitter-length fiction,poetry,art,and komiks (both original and fan-type), as long as they are Filipino in theme

Genre: All are accepted! (literary,romance,speculative in all stripes, parody, comedy,etc etc)
Feel free to post whatever you have here, or to hashtag so we can share it (remember to set the individual post to 'public' so we can all see).

It's that time of year again when we tell the world through good art and literature that (even with everything going on around us that we disagree with), we are proud to be Filipino. Please share the word.

*shares of material made for RP612fic is perfectly okay, btw. This place just helps to be a safe space for all, especially writers.

#milclicks of the Week: Think Before You Click

This is a photo of our library bulletin board for nearly two academic school years.

We decided to have it up way before my involvement with the national round table discussion on Media and Information Literacy. At the time me and my staff were thinking of what to display on our bulletin board, I was already concerned with the online behavior of kids, mine and my students, in social media. With the national elections closing in last May 2016, we didn't bother changing it at all.

While there are more ways to create an impact in the promotion, campaign and teaching of Media and Information Literacy, information service through announcements, infographics, fliers and brochures aid in awareness building. A variation of this bulletin board can be done through a checklist or graphic organizer. The material changes from a public service announcement to a teaching aid that prompts reflection and evaluation of content that is available in social media.

It may simply look like this:



If you think the bulletin board display and the worksheet is useful, drop a comment. Let me know what you think!

Live Blogging: Be Heard! Be a Blogger Talk at the Uiniveristy of Perpetual Help

I am in the University of Perpetual Help, Binan. I am demonstrating a live blogging session as the participants take their "break". It has been a very fruitful morning: we played a game, watched videos, and listened to inputs - my own and feedback from some of the participants.

This talk, Be Heard! Be a Blogger is part of the university's Alternative Learning Classes.

I love participating in ALCs, because, I believe that ALC sessions enrich the formal learning experiences in the classroom. I have very young participants in the audience: students of Library and Information Science as well as Education majors. I will post more photos and insights in the coming days. Soon!

For now, I go back to my demo-lecture!

Social Media Perks: Followers & Gift Cards

One way to know that blogging works for you and that your blog has a good following is when you get blog exchange promos.

Grammarly did just that with this blog. I wrote a review of Fangirl and got an Amazon Gift Card. I spent it for a copy of Gabriel Garcia Marquez's Collected Stories. I ordered the book last March 31st and received it last Monday, May 5.

Collected Stories came right in time for an in Memoriam reading from one of the great magic realists of this day and age.

Moving to another social media-file sharing platform, Slide Share, I had a pleasant surprise when I learned that Joyce Valenza started following my slides.

JOYCE VALENZA.

Joyce. Valenza. is. following. me.

I am still freaking out!!!

23 Mobile Things PH&SG: Thing #2 Photo Apps

It's all about Photo Apps in 23 Mobile Things PH & SG this week.

I'm not a big Instagram fan and I only post in IG when I feel like it but I definitely love taking photos. So you'll find all sorts of pictures in my IG account should you visit me there or choose to follow me. However, recent upgrade in my mobile has made IG more interesting as I can use Pic Collage, post it on IG and link the post to Twitter. Twitter then sends the link to FB. Ah, social media magic!

Collage of new books posted in IG

Should you visit the 23 Mobile Things PH & SG website, you'll read about a blog entry of Hedren Sum from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He has recommended a slew of Thinking as it asks relevant questions on the use of the said technology. More than knowing how to use technology, understanding the why of using technology is just as important.

Here are my answers to the questions:

When was the last time you printed out photographs you have taken? What could be the reason behind this?

I have not printed out any of my photos. But I might. I'll Tweet and tag #23mthingsphsg.

How could your library use photographs to promote library services, events and activities?

I used Pic Collage to combine photos of new books. I sent this to our school's mailing list. By day's end, we received five book reservations!

Do you have a permission form available so that when you take photographs of clients or events, you have their agreement for those images to be used and shared online?

This is a good suggestion and I'll try this out.

How easy is it for clients to contribute digital photographs to your library collection (eg. local history)?

This question prompts me to look at the library's photo collection. For now, all are stored in digital folders and in CDs as back ups. But, yes. It is good to revisit procedures on how the community can take part in building the library's collection.

A sample of my book spine poem to entice high school kids to join the contest. Posted in IG too.

Thanks to Karryl and Joan for this wonderful initiative, and to Hedren for the content he provided in Thing #2! I had fun answering the questions.

I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends

A few backs I sent a SOS to all my social media networks. This was my message:

SOS Librarian friends: I am in need of tips, standards in the organization and preservation of architectural blue prints. Short term and long term plans for management of such records. ASAP. Send me PM please.

Amazingly, I got two replies: one from Eimee Lagrama who sent in a link on the storage, preservation and management of such records; and the other from Mercy Servida, librarian of Lopez Museum. From her reply, I was able to set a procedure for the initial care of the blue prints.

1. Determine if the blue prints are the originals as these last longer than replicates;
2. Remove the blue prints from rolled forms.
3. Straighten the blue prints by placing glass on top or any flat, heavy object;
4. Scan and/or digitize;
5. Classify and catalog the blue prints by architect, building, specifications and access points;
6. Store in space with controlled temperature and humidity.

With social media and Web 2.0, librarians can continue to grow and help each other out! Thanks Eimee and Tita Mercy!

Friday Online Readings: Safety in the Cloud, Lit & Lab Lessons

A sample of an integrated lesson plan in Science and Literature

A host of social media safety tips websites for kids and teens Social Media Safety for Kids and Teens

Teachers need differentiated lessons too, er, in supervision that is!

Social Media and College Applications

Courtesy of: Schools.com

The History of Social Media

How did social media Begin? Bit Rebels has an article and a graphic to illustrate its genesis.