SXSW, Digital Doings & Teen Docu-Drama Genre

Sleep-deprived digerati are schlepping into offices today, home from the SXSW interactive conference, brimming with mashups, and 'must-sees,’ from core conversations to Games For Change. Alas. (shoulder shrug self-evident) I wasn’t there due to my dang computer crash mishaps earlier, but then, neither was über-media academic goddess danah boyd (Berkman fellow; Harvard … [Read more...]

“Chris Didn’t Cheat” Site Reflects Web 2.0 Media Speed

As you can see by the comment landed in my post yesterday, a San Diego State University student has already put up a "Chris Didn't Cheat" website to support 18-year old engineering student Chris Avenir in his Facebook appeal hearing taking place today in Toronto at Ryerson University. I don’t know who commenter ‘Davin’ is, and perhaps Chris doesn’t … [Read more...]

Is a Facebook Study Group “Cheating?”

What’s the difference between a virtual study group & meeting face to face in the library or dorm room? Policy, please? So far, I've got to side with the students, as this makes no sense to me as a virtual educator… Why does Freshman Chris Avenir (story in the Toronto Star) face possible expulsion from Ryerson University for swapping tips on homework … [Read more...]

New Media Made Easy: Wikis, RSS, & Twitter Defined

Back up the train. When I started Shaping Youth, I’d been writing in very basic form for the now dormant Common Sense Media blog, using easy explanations to discuss how commercialism and digital ads were influencing kids at undetected levels far off parental radar. Since then, Shaping Youth has evolved to a deeper level of analysis of media messaging, and I realize I … [Read more...]

Caffeinated Kids: A Nutrition Deconstruction

Update Sept. 29, 2016 Today is National Coffee Day! While these Harvard studies for ADULTS caffeine intake bring us a few 'ahhh' morning moments, this AAP study with KIDS could have parents steaming, as it points to the dangers of children's consumption (especially energy drinks) and notes consumption by teens age 17, 18 has doubled over the last decade.  With Starbucks … [Read more...]